“The Shining” is a horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick and released in 1980. It is based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King and stars Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, and Danny Lloyd.
The Shining (1980) rating
“The Shining” has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. It currently holds a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metascore of 66 out of 100 on Metacritic.
The film follows Jack Torrance, a struggling writer who takes a job as the winter caretaker of the Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. Jack brings his wife, Wendy, and young son, Danny, with him to the hotel. However, as the winter progresses, Jack’s mental health deteriorates, and the hotel’s sinister history begins to affect the family in terrifying ways.
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There are also various supporting and minor roles played by other actors.
“The Shining” is widely considered a masterpiece of the horror genre, and for good reason. Kubrick’s direction is masterful, with stunning visuals, unsettling sound design, and a slow-burning sense of dread that builds throughout the film. Nicholson’s performance as Jack Torrance is unforgettable, and Duvall and Lloyd also deliver excellent performances.
The Shining (1980) cast
- Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance
- Danny Lloyd as Danny Torrance
- Scatman Crothers as Dick Hallorann
- Shelley Duvall as Wendy Torrance
- Barry Nelson as Stuart Ullman
- Philip Stone as Delbert Grady
- Joe Turkel as Lloyd the Bartender
- Anne Jackson as Doctor
One of the most remarkable aspects of “The Shining” is its ability to convey a sense of claustrophobia and isolation despite the vast, open setting of the hotel. The film’s use of long, tracking shots and the Steadicam technology pioneered for the film give the viewer the sense of being trapped within the hotel alongside the Torrance family.
“The Shining” is not without its flaws, however. Some viewers may find the film’s pacing to be slow, and the ending is somewhat ambiguous and open to interpretation. Nevertheless, these minor criticisms do not detract from the film’s overall impact and legacy.
Conclusion
Overall, “The Shining” is a haunting, unforgettable masterpiece of horror cinema that continues to terrify and fascinate audiences more than 40 years after its release.
