The Shining Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A family goes to a hotel, Dad gets writer’s block, ghosts happen, and then Dad tries to chop up the family with an axe because… reasons.

🍿 The Shining: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Overlook and the Torrances

Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic, takes a job as the winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. He brings his wife, Wendy, and their son, Danny, hoping for a quiet environment where he can work on his writing. The hotel, with its dark history, becomes a central character as the family settles in.

Danny’s Visions

Danny, who possesses a psychic ability referred to as ‘the shining,’ experiences disturbing visions and warnings about the hotel’s sinister past. He encounters unsettling apparitions and has premonitions of danger. The mysterious Room 237 becomes a focal point of his fears.

Jack’s Descent

As the isolation deepens, Jack’s mental state begins to deteriorate. He becomes increasingly volatile, frustrated by writer’s block, and influenced by the hotel’s malevolent forces. The lines between reality and hallucination begin to blur as he encounters ghostly figures from the hotel’s past.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson): The aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic who descends into madness while serving as winter caretaker at an isolated hotel.
• Wendy Torrance (Shelley Duvall): The increasingly terrified wife who must protect her son from her husband’s growing insanity.
• Danny Torrance (Danny Lloyd): The young, psychic son who foresees the horrors of the hotel and his father’s violent turn.
• Hallorann (Scatman Crothers): The Overlook Hotel’s chef who possesses the ‘shining’ ability and tries to help Danny.
• Grady (Philip Stone): The ghostly former caretaker who influences Jack towards violence.
• Lloyd (Joe Turkel): The spectral bartender at the Overlook Hotel who serves Jack.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jack Torrance: “Here’s Johnny!” – Said as Jack breaks through the bathroom door with an axe, it has become an iconic and often parodied line in cinema.
• Jack Torrance: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” – Jack is shown typing this repeatedly on his manuscript, revealing his descent into madness and how his mind is becoming repetitive and obsessive.
• Danny: “Redrum” – Danny repeats this word, both in his mind and physically on the walls, as a warning of impending danger, later revealed to be ‘murder’ spelled backwards.
• Lloyd: “Women. Can’t live with ’em, can’t live without ’em.” – Said by the ghostly bartender, Lloyd, as Jack complains about his wife, it reflects the hotel’s influence on his misogynistic mindset.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $19,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $45,634,352
• Worldwide Gross: $47,962,534

💥 The Shining Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘The Shining’ messed with my head, in a good way! The creepy vibes of that hotel got to me, and I was on edge the whole time. The scene with the twins in the hallway still gives me the chills. Honestly, Jack Nicholson’s performance was like a slow-motion train wreck – terrifying and fascinating at the same time. I don’t think I’ll ever look at a hotel the same way!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological horror”
  • “Those who appreciate atmospheric films”
  • “Viewers interested in classic cinema”
  • “Fans of Jack Nicholson’s performances”
  • “People who enjoy slow burn horror movies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Psychological themes”
  • “Occasional gore”
  • “Mature themes, including mental illness and family conflict”

Professional Reviews

• Empire Magazine: “Kubrick’s masterpiece is a terrifying exploration of isolation and madness, with Nicholson delivering a career-defining performance. The visuals are iconic, the tension is palpable, and the experience is unforgettable.
• RogerEbert.com: “A chilling study of a man’s descent into insanity, fueled by the oppressive atmosphere of the Overlook Hotel. Kubrick’s meticulous direction and the haunting visuals create an unparalleled sense of dread.
• The Guardian: “A visually stunning and deeply disturbing film that gets under your skin. While it deviates from the source material, Kubrick’s vision is a masterclass in psychological horror.

Audience Reactions

The ‘Here’s Johnny!’ scene is forever etched in my mind.: Viewers are captivated by the chilling atmosphere and Jack Nicholson’s over-the-top performance.

The long hallway shots and suspenseful music kept me on the edge of my seat.: Many agree on the film’s amazing visual style and use of tension.

Overall Consensus: A chilling masterpiece of psychological horror, praised for its iconic visuals and Jack Nicholson’s unforgettable performance, though some find its deviations from the book unsettling.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Stanley Kubrick was notoriously meticulous, often requiring dozens of takes for a single scene. Shelley Duvall’s emotional state suffered due to the demanding nature of the production, which was intentionally isolating.”
• “The maze was built on a soundstage, and the hedge rows were meticulously designed and moved for filming. The exterior shots of the Overlook Hotel are actually of the Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood, Oregon.”
• “Danny Lloyd, who played Danny Torrance, was kept unaware that he was in a horror film. He was told he was making a drama, and was not shown the scarier aspects of the film until many years later.”
• “The iconic ‘Here’s Johnny’ scene was improvised by Jack Nicholson. Kubrick was initially hesitant to include it, but ultimately decided it was too powerful to leave out.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Shining?

The Shining is widely available to rent or purchase on various platforms. You can find it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD are also readily available. Check your local libraries for borrowing options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Shining, you might like these similar films:

• Rosemary’s Baby (1968): Both films feature a sense of creeping dread and psychological horror, with a focus on the protagonist’s increasingly disturbing surroundings.
• The Exorcist (1973): A classic horror film that shares the theme of a supernatural evil corrupting and possessing a person, resulting in terrifying and violent acts.
• The Thing (1982): Features a group of isolated individuals turning against each other as paranoia and a terrifying presence take hold, similar to the isolation in The Shining.
• Hereditary (2018): A modern horror film that delves into psychological and familial horror, showcasing a family’s breakdown under sinister influences and inherited trauma.
• Session 9 (2001): Shares the theme of isolation and psychological breakdown within an old, unsettling location, creating an atmosphere of mounting dread as characters are affected by their surroundings.

🛒 The Shining Related Products

• The Shining: Collector’s Edition Blu-ray: A must-have for any fan, this collector’s edition includes the extended cut, bonus features, and behind-the-scenes documentaries, enhancing the chilling experience of the film.
• The Shining – Grady Twins Art Print: A high-quality print featuring the terrifying Grady twins, perfect for decorating a home theater or office. Captures one of the most memorable and unsettling scenes in horror history.
• The Shining: Overlook Hotel Key Chain: A detailed metal key chain shaped like the iconic key to the Overlook Hotel, a subtle nod to the film for everyday use. A conversation starter for any fan.
• The Shining Board Game: An immersive board game where players try to escape the haunted Overlook Hotel, inspired by key scenes and elements of the film. Features strategic gameplay and chilling surprises.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Shining features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Shining (Main Title)” – performed by Wendy Carlos & Rachel Elkind
• “Midnight, the Stars and You” – performed by Ray Noble and His Orchestra (performed by Al Bowlly)
• “Utrenja (excerpt)” – performed by Krzysztof Penderecki

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Did you know that in THE SHINING

Have you ever wondered how long it took to film the iconic elevator scene in The Shining? This video reveals the surprising answer and gives us a glimpse into Stanley Kubrick’s meticulous filmmaking process.

Shelley Duvall On Working With Kubrick On ‘The Shining’ #movies

Curious about the behind-the-scenes dynamics of The Shining? This interview with Shelley Duvall sheds light on her experiences working with the enigmatic Stanley Kubrick, giving us a glimpse into the intense creative process that brought this horror classic to life.

What Does THE SHINING’s Final Image Actually Mean?

The ending of The Shining has puzzled and intrigued viewers for decades. This video offers several insightful interpretations, inviting us to delve deeper into the film’s symbolism and explore its possible meanings. Are you ready to uncover the secrets hidden within the final frame?

THE SHINING: Danny’s ordeal and the bear costumed man – film analysis Rob Ager

Embark on a journey into the hidden depths of The Shining. This in-depth analysis explores Danny’s harrowing experiences and uncovers the metaphorical layers woven throughout the film. Prepare to gain a new understanding of the movie’s psychological complexities and symbolic meanings.

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