Did you know that the 1980 film "The Shining" has a sequel? I only recently found out that the tragic story of the Torrance family continued canonically in another Stephen King novel published in 2013. It wasn’t until 2019 that this work was adapted for the big screen, respecting the continuity of Stanley Kubrick’s film.
Directed by Mike Flanagan, who surprisingly managed to reconcile the historic differences between the famous author and the legendary director, "Doctor Sleep" is a psychological horror work very different from "The Shining". The passage of time brought changes to the essence of Stephen King’s literary universe; identity constantly shifts and nothing known remains the same for long. This is quite evident in this installment.
The story follows an adult Danny Torrance (Ewan McGregor), who remains scarred by the trauma experienced at the Overlook Hotel. As he struggles with alcoholism, he learns to live with his gift, the "Shining" with help from his late friend Dick Hallorann. When he starts putting his life in order, he makes contact with a mysterious girl who, like him, possesses the "Shining" gift.
McGregor delivers a convincing performance as a man deeply affected by forces beyond his control, portraying the battle against addiction and the vulnerability of someone who had a horrible childhood. His true development begins when he unknowingly establishes a telepathic connection with Abra Stone (Kyliegh Curran), a young girl with an extraordinary gift that makes her the primary target of an ancient cult hunting those with the "Shining" ability.
Honestly, despite the film’s genres, it has a very different story from a typical horror movie. Although it has its moments, I wouldn’t say it fully fits that genre. It’s more supernatural than scary; it reminded me of a superhero movie like X-Men. Because when you add people with special abilities, it’s somewhat strange not to make such a connection.
This is precisely the film’s issue: it revolves around a group of antagonists called "The True Knot," led by Rose the Hat (Rebecca Ferguson). They could be described as "Psychic Vampires" who travel the world feeding on the extreme fear of gifted children.
It’s no longer about a haunted place but dealing with the malice of ruthless monsters who appear human. In Stephen King’s supernatural novels, encountering entities or beings beyond comprehension and imagination is normal.
Even though this is the continuation of "The Shining," Kubrick’s film concluded on its own terms, leaving out narrative elements that are taken into account here to definitively conclude what was presented in the 1980 movie. Danny Torrance’s character needed development and closure that would show the true meaning of having the "Shining" and how, in King’s works, there is plausibility regarding people who can see ghosts or communicate telepathically.
Mike Flanagan is not Stanley Kubrick, but he did the best he could. The director brings his style: methodical pacing, a melancholic tone, and masterful use of tension and surround sound. There is fan service that awakens nostalgia by referencing the 1980 film: when the story returns to the snow-covered halls of the abandoned Overlook Hotel, it feels like a cycle closing.
"Doctor Sleep" is something completely different that works with what is already known. It is the ending every fan of "The Shining" deserves to see. It doesn’t try to replicate its legendary predecessor but aims to evolve the dark fantasy of modern films. Kubrick’s heavy legacy is unbeatable, and Flanagan honors both the movie and King’s novels with this masterful sequel: two opposing visions of terror that ultimately shine on the big screen, an experience every true cinephile must have.
Rating: 85/100
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