The Shining (1980)
Raiting: 
8,3 /10
Genre: Horror
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Stars: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall and Danny Lloyd
Country: United States / United Kingdom
Release date: 23 May 1980
Length: 115 minutes (Europese release) / 146 minutes (Amerikaanse release)
Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining" (1980) is a chilling adaptation of Stephen King's novel of the same name, exploring the psychological breakdown of Jack Torrance and the supernatural forces at play within the isolated Overlook Hotel. The story begins with Jack (Jack Nicholson) accepting a position as the off-season caretaker of the Overlook, planning to use the solitude to write. He moves into the hotel with his wife, Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and young son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), who possesses "the shining", a psychic ability that allows him to see the hotel's horrific past.
As winter sets in, the hotel's isolation begins to take its toll on the family. Danny's visions become more disturbing, encountering ghostly figures and premonitions of danger. Meanwhile, Jack discovers the hotel's dark history, including the previous caretaker who succumbed to cabin fever and murdered his family. The hotel seems to have a malevolent life of its own, with the ability to manipulate and influence those within its walls, particularly targeting Jack and his vulnerabilities.
Jack's mental state deteriorates rapidly, influenced by the malevolent presence within the hotel. He becomes increasingly aggressive and delusional, driven by the ghosts of the hotel's past, including the seductive and sinister Lloyd the bartender and the ghostly woman in room 237. Wendy and Danny become increasingly terrified of Jack, who has transformed into a homicidal maniac under the hotel's influence.
In a climactic turn of events, Wendy and Danny attempt to escape the hotel and Jack's violent rampage. The hotel's labyrinthine structure and supernatural forces work against them, creating a terrifying game of cat and mouse. Danny's shining becomes both a curse and a blessing as he tries to outwit his father and the malevolent spirits guiding him. The climax sees Jack chasing Danny into the hotel's hedge maze in a final, desperate attempt to kill him.
The film concludes with a haunting ambiguity, leaving the viewer to ponder the true nature of the hotel's influence and the cycle of violence it perpetuates. A final shot of an old photograph on the hotel's wall, including Jack among the guests from a 1921 party, suggests that the hotel has absorbed him into its history, trapping him in its endless cycle of horror. "The Shining" remains a masterpiece of psychological horror, celebrated for Kubrick's meticulous direction, the haunting performances, and its ability to disturb and intrigue audiences long after the credits roll.
Top cast - The Shining (1980)
Trailer - The Shining (1980)
Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining" (1980) stands as a towering achievement in the horror genre, an adaptation that diverges from Stephen King's novel to forge its own path into the annals of cinematic history. Kubrick's meticulous craftsmanship and the film's ambiguous narrative combine to create an atmosphere of dread that is as intellectually stimulating as it is viscerally disturbing. "The Shining" is not merely a ghost story set in a haunted hotel, but a complex exploration of madness, familial dysfunction, and the darker aspects of human nature.
The film's eerie tone is established through its masterful use of visuals and sound. Kubrick's direction employs long, steady camera shots, the infamous Steadicam following Danny's tricycle rides through the hotel's corridors, and symmetrical framing that contributes to the unsettling atmosphere. The chilling score and sound design are characters in their own right, building tension and unease even when nothing overtly terrifying is occurring on screen. The Overlook Hotel, with its grandiose yet oppressive architecture, becomes a labyrinthine entity that feels both timeless and claustrophobic.
Jack Nicholson's performance as Jack Torrance is iconic, showcasing a gradual descent into madness that is both terrifying and tragic. His manic energy and menacing delivery of lines like "Here's Johnny!" have become part of pop culture lexicon. Shelley Duvall's portrayal of Wendy Torrance evokes empathy and horror as she embodies the role of a woman pushed to her emotional limits. Danny Lloyd as young Danny Torrance provides a nuanced performance, capturing the innocence and terror of a child caught in an incomprehensible situation. The supporting cast, including Scatman Crothers as the kindly Dick Hallorann, who shares Danny's psychic "shining", adds depth to the film's exploration of good versus evil.
One of the most compelling aspects of "The Shining" is its deliberate ambiguity. Kubrick leaves many questions unanswered, weaving supernatural elements with psychological horror in a way that encourages multiple interpretations. The film's pacing allows the terror to simmer, building to a boiling point that culminates in an explosive and memorable climax. The final shot of the film, which suggests a cyclical and timeless quality to the events within the Overlook, has prompted endless discussion and analysis, securing "The Shining" as a film that continues to fascinate and inspire debate.
In conclusion, "The Shining" is a film that defies easy categorization, a testament to Kubrick's vision and the power of cinema to unsettle and provoke. Its influence can be seen in countless horror films that followed, yet it remains singular in its approach to the genre. "The Shining" is a film that lingers in the mind long after viewing, a disturbing journey into the heart of darkness that is as beautiful as it is horrifying. It remains a must-see for fans of horror and film alike, a seminal work that stands as a benchmark for the power of visual storytelling.