The Shining (1980)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Sophie B

  
  Wanted to see this for a long time, and whilst I can say it's definitely worth watching, especially for horror/thriller/Nicholson fans, it wasn't as good as the hype has suggested. Yes it was a great movie with great performances from Nicholson and Lloyd, Duvall really got… More
  Wanted to see this for a long time, and whilst I can say it's definitely worth watching, especially for horror/thriller/Nicholson fans, it wasn't as good as the hype has suggested. Yes it was a great movie with great performances from Nicholson and Lloyd, Duvall really got on my nerves and almost ruined the film. She was pathetic, whiny and dangerous and at times her acting is really awful. Another few issues I have is that by the end it's not entirely clear what really happened, I would have liked more of an explanation to the hotel or Jack's and Danny's behaviour. As the film went on, there were a few times when I just felt 'get on with it' and wanted it to be the end. Saying this, I really enjoyed the maze sequences (the actual maze and Danny on his tricycle) and the cinematography was great.

• Directors C

  
  A lot of people may disagree with me but I see Stanley Kubrick's The Shining to be his absolute best film. This movie is proof that blood special effects dont rule the horror industry. From the films i've seen with Jack Nicholson this is the one role that fit him solidly and… More
  A lot of people may disagree with me but I see Stanley Kubrick's The Shining to be his absolute best film. This movie is proof that blood special effects dont rule the horror industry. From the films i've seen with Jack Nicholson this is the one role that fit him solidly and of course the role which he has acted at his best. It is a perfect psychological horror that flows scarily unlike modern horror films from beggining to end. The reason this oh so terrifying movie is oh so chillingly nerve wrecking is because Kubrick flawlessly takes advantage of the human nature that everything that we dont know or understand scares us. Somehow this movie believe it or not managed to make sense at the same time. But, the most enigmatic scene and a great example of this happening in this horror classic is the ending that wasn't exactly "an ending" which made it even creepier. Like the whole movie it scared the hell out of me and although the film is set in a gigantic hotel with barely any characters inside of it. It gave me one of the greatest senses of claustrophobia and isolation I have ever experienced.

• Melvin W

  
  Jack Torrance: Mr. Grady. You were the caretaker here. I recognize you. I saw your picture in the newspapers. You, uh, chopped your wife and daughters up into little bits. And then you blew your brains out.  "The Horror is driving him crazy." There is absolutely no horror… More
  Jack Torrance: Mr. Grady. You were the caretaker here. I recognize you. I saw your picture in the newspapers. You, uh, chopped your wife and daughters up into little bits. And then you blew your brains out.  "The Horror is driving him crazy." There is absolutely no horror film like The Shining. I've seen it described as an epic horror film, and that's pretty much true. It's probably the only epic horror film ever made. If anyone was going to make a scary movie epic, it was Kubrick. He throws conventional horror wisdom out the window, and does things his own way. Can you blame him for wanting to throw his own spin on King's novel? It's a known fact that King hates Kubrick's take on his classic book. Here's the thing though, Kubrick's ideas are better, smarter, and scarier. He wanted to do shit that hadn't been done. I like King books, but let's be honest; a lot of his works are basically the same thing, just thrown into a different setting and with a different monster. There's a reason this is the best King adaption ever and that is that Kubrick changed things.  When describing the plot I'm only going to speak of the surface narrative, but it should be noted that there is much more going on then just this storyline. Jack Torrence, his wife, and son move into the Overlook Hotel where they will live for the winter. Jack has been hired as the caretaker there. He is warned about a tragedy that happened there years ago and also about how people can go crazy from the isolation. He isn't worried though because isolation is just what he needs. He is trying to write a new book and peace and quiet is what he wants. His son, Danny, has an imaginary friend who is showing him bad things at the hotel. Soon Jack goes crazy and starts tormenting his family, while he sees visions.  The hardest thing about comprehending this movie is deciphering what is real and what is not. Obviously, everyone knows that when Jack is talking to Lloyd and Grady, that he is really speaking to himself in mirrors. But what about when he yells at his wife while he's writing? I for one think that is in Jack's head. It should be known that what Jack is writing about is something that has to do with the murders there. He has newspaper clippings and tells Grady that he read about him in the paper. So I believe a lot of what is going on is him trying to get into the character of Grady for his writing. In the scene where he yells at his wife, as she walks in, he tears out a piece of paper from his typewriter. When she leaves at the end, the piece of paper is still in the typewriter. He never tore that paper up because his wife never came in the room. He was playing out events for his book in his head. Some would just say this is a continuation error, and with lesser directors, I would agree. But this is Stanley "fucking" Kubrick. He doesn't make errors like that. Everything he is doing has a reason.  I had mentioned that there are different layers to this movie. While on top it's a horror film, beneath it Kubrick is making statements about the foundation of America. How the Europeans came over and slaughtered the Natives. He isn't doing this by dialogue, but by symbols. And there are many more symbols throughout the movie that will probably go unnoticed by many . My favorite is the use of Frosted Flakes as Tony. At different points of the movie you can see a box of Frosted Flakes sitting behind the action. It isn't put there in an out of place sort of way. Look at the kitchen scenes, such as when Jack gets locked in the food pantry by his wife. When we see her outside of the door, there is a box of Frosted Flakes sitting behind her on a table. Don't try to tell me this wasn't on purpose. It's known that Kubrick would try to find different products to use as symbols in many of his movies. Here, it was Tony the Tiger, to show that Tony is always watching. The Shining is a horror film that is so much bigger and grander in scale than any one that came before or after it. Everything from how Kubrick shoots scenes to the setting to the symbolism is used in the creepiest ways possible. This is my favorite horror film ever, my favorite Kubrick film, and also one of my favorite movies period. I could watch it a million times and never get bored. There's so much to take away from it, that it pretty much requires multiple viewings if you want to understand it fully. If not, watch it once and you'll still get a worthwhile and terrifying experience from it. Wendy Torrance: I'm gonna go now.  Jack Torrance: Wendy?  Wendy Torrance: I'm gonna try and get Danny down to Sidewinder in the Snow Cat. I'll send back a doctor...  Jack Torrance: Wendy?  Wendy Torrance: Yes?  Jack Torrance: You got a biiiig surprise coming to you. You're not going anywhere. Go check out the Snow Cat and the radio and you'll see what I mean. Go check it out. 

• Kevin K

  
  Grade: A+ (100%) After all these years, "The Shinning" continues to amaze me. When we usually look back at movies from the 80s or 90s, we remember how the film industry has improved since then. Sometimes we re-watch a film and forget how good a film really is. "The… More
  Grade: A+ (100%) After all these years, "The Shinning" continues to amaze me. When we usually look back at movies from the 80s or 90s, we remember how the film industry has improved since then. Sometimes we re-watch a film and forget how good a film really is. "The Shinning" is no exception. Jack Torrance (Jack Nicolson) is a writer who is unable to bring his career to a high point with his work. In order to get some peace and quiet, he decides to become the caretaker of a hotel located in the mountains. His brings his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and Danny (Danny Lloyd) to live there from the end of October to May 1st. Unfortunately for the family, Jack becomes mad and starts to act violent towards his family. The owner tells Jack of what happened a couple of years before about a person going mad and killing his family and committing suicide. The owner calls it cabin fever but Jack doesn't feel nervous about the idea. Well, it happens to Jack and uses an axe to do most of his dirty work and creates a famous line, "Heeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny!" in the process. The film is adapted from Stephen King's bestselling novel of the same name. While I haven't read the novel, I have read that the film sort of deviates from the book which could be a good or bad thing depending on your point of view. The film does have a horror aspect to it. There are some frightening moments in this film. The film really isn't that graphic but more creepy than anything else. While blood is spilled in this movie, director Stanley Kubrick focuses on the scares and chilly atmosphere (no pun intended) to grip the audience. For the most part the film works brilliantly with the creepy atmosphere, especially in the second act of the film where Jack starts to go completely insane. Jack Nicholson is absolutely fantastic in this film. He is dark, creepy, disturbing, angry and sometimes funny. His acting truly shines in the final half hour of the film and his laughter is so eerie that it actually sticks with you. Nicholson is absolutely brilliant in this film and is one of the main reasons to see this film. Shelley Duvall, on the other hand, is atrocious as Wendy. Everything is wrong with her in this film from acting to actually how she looks. I read up on this that Stanley Kubrick was having trouble with Ms. Duvall because she wasn't being scared enough when they were filming the film. Sorry to say, but the film really shows horrible acting from Ms. Duvall. When she is scared, it's horrible acting and even when she generally talks she isn't good at all. She was the worst part of the film honestly. Sometimes I wish Wendy got hers in the end but it wasn't made to be . . . oh well. Even where "The Shinning" falls, it is forgiven by great direction, excellent writing and an unbelievable performance by Jack Nicholson. "The Shinning" is one of my favorite movies and one of my favorite horror films - "Silence of the Lambs" might be my favorite and "The Shinning" second. If you haven't seen this film, go and see it. There isn't the gore crap we have nowadays but a suspenseful and scary horror film with an excellent performance by Jack Nicholson.

• Christopher H

  
  Some may not like that the movie deviates from the novel(especially at the end), but The Shinning stands on its own as a definitive horror classic. Stanley Kubrick gives his signature cinematic vision with mind-blowing cinematography, eerie music, and a dream-like atmosphere. Jack… More
  Some may not like that the movie deviates from the novel(especially at the end), but The Shinning stands on its own as a definitive horror classic. Stanley Kubrick gives his signature cinematic vision with mind-blowing cinematography, eerie music, and a dream-like atmosphere. Jack Nicholson turns in one hell of a performance playing a writer descending into madness. Like other Kubrick films, the story has many layers of detail and meaning that makes the re-watch value very high. Kubrick manages to make a truly chilling horror movie, and he didn't need to turn the lights off.

• Graham J

  
  A truly frightening story of insanity and isolation. It boasts some of the most startling images I've ever seen.

• moon r

  
  Kubrick upsets the horror applecart (and Stephen King, too, who disliked this take on his bestselling book so much he made it again ... himself, ouch!) by filming in sterile, clean surroundings. There's no dank, dark, musty and cobwebbed basements here. no fetid sewers, no… More
  Kubrick upsets the horror applecart (and Stephen King, too, who disliked this take on his bestselling book so much he made it again ... himself, ouch!) by filming in sterile, clean surroundings. There's no dank, dark, musty and cobwebbed basements here. no fetid sewers, no graveyards. No Halloween! And yet one of the most satisfyingly chilling shockers of all time.

• Brad W

  
  The Shining is one of the greatest horror films ever made. The story is actually really good for a horror film and there is some of the most intense scenes in horror film history, its truly a genius adaption. The cast is great, Jack Nicholson plays one of his best roles ever and… More
  The Shining is one of the greatest horror films ever made. The story is actually really good for a horror film and there is some of the most intense scenes in horror film history, its truly a genius adaption. The cast is great, Jack Nicholson plays one of his best roles ever and created the trademark "Heres JOHNNY!". The horror is incredible, the scene with the old lady in the bathroom is one of the creepiest things I have ever seen. The Shining is a masterful, terrifying, and best acted horror films ever, and is one of the films that will make Stanley Kubrick remembered forever.

• Alexander D

  
  If there's one pure horror film that deserves the Best Picture Oscar just for its overall terrific (and terrifying) atmosphere, it's THE SHINING. I've only seen one of Stanley Kubrick's other films, which was 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, and if you think that Stanley… More
  If there's one pure horror film that deserves the Best Picture Oscar just for its overall terrific (and terrifying) atmosphere, it's THE SHINING. I've only seen one of Stanley Kubrick's other films, which was 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, and if you think that Stanley Kubrick only makes those kinds of films, think again. This brilliant man takes mastermind Stephen King's already-horrific novel and crafts it into his own ingenious, twisted work that is probably more frightening than the book itself. And there's Jack Nicholson, who does an outstanding performance as psychopath Jack Torrance. When I saw this film, my immediate thought was that Nicholson's character was just as I imagined Torrance's personality while reading the source novel. It's possible to admit that sometimes Jack Nicholson does go a little loopy with his role, making it often seem more like his role as the Joker in BATMAN nine years later, but he never seems to go overboard, and his character always enhances the eerie-ness of the entire film. All in all, THE SHINING is a must-see. It's certainly not one of those "spewing guts" films where everything is grotesque blood and gore. Instead, the horror comes from the creepy, sadistic, intense mood, as this is a well-molded psychological horror. Add this to your shopping list (or your renting list) if you haven't seen it. See it again if you have already.

• Lucas M

  
  Another Stanley Kubrick masterpiece.

• Eric A

  
  Jack Nicholson is a legend. This guy delivers in every movie, and this is one of his best.

• Sajin P

  
  For most parts I found the super-natural element of the film poorly conceived and with many untied ends. Though it was fun to watch Nicholson going bonkers (Reason?? - Part demonic possession, Part family issues), at certain points it looked downright ridiculous - more to the comical… More
  For most parts I found the super-natural element of the film poorly conceived and with many untied ends. Though it was fun to watch Nicholson going bonkers (Reason?? - Part demonic possession, Part family issues), at certain points it looked downright ridiculous - more to the comical side than horror. Despite its fair share of flaws and pitfalls, movie draws its strength from the unquestionable skill of its director, impeccable cinematography and that eeeeery soundtrack.

• Shawn E

  
  "Heeere's Johnny!" I re-watched this classic horror recently, and it seemed better than ever. The suspense, insane visuals, and it's growing intensity were amazing. The only thing that felt a little dated and perhaps a little annoying was the music. One of best… More
  "Heeere's Johnny!" I re-watched this classic horror recently, and it seemed better than ever. The suspense, insane visuals, and it's growing intensity were amazing. The only thing that felt a little dated and perhaps a little annoying was the music. One of best horror films ever made.

• Unknown H

  
  Stephen King is my God. Stanley Kubrick is my devil. I loved the book, hated the movie. Enough said really. Although Jack Nicholson is (as always) marvellous in this movie, it felt too claustrophobic and not nearly gritty enough for me.

• Sergio G

  
  I'm more afraid of the living than from the dead people. Well, this movie has both. Jack Torrance is one of my favorite characters. Nicholson doing the best he knows, playing crazy. What a creepy guy this Torrance, and his wife!! All of them isolated within one of biggest hotels… More
  I'm more afraid of the living than from the dead people. Well, this movie has both. Jack Torrance is one of my favorite characters. Nicholson doing the best he knows, playing crazy. What a creepy guy this Torrance, and his wife!! All of them isolated within one of biggest hotels I've ever seen. The Outlook. Even if the book is 10 times better than the movie, Kubrick did a fantastic job. The music score is perfect, the evolution of Jack Torrance, the creepy images within the hotel. Perfect enviroment for a nightmare.

• Tyler K

  
  Stanley Kubrick made the book The Shining by Stephen King into a movie... but is it any good? Let's remember that this is a Stanley Kubrick film, meaning that there are going to be long pauses of nothing but music and scenery, as well as long conversations rather than visual… More
  Stanley Kubrick made the book The Shining by Stephen King into a movie... but is it any good? Let's remember that this is a Stanley Kubrick film, meaning that there are going to be long pauses of nothing but music and scenery, as well as long conversations rather than visual acting, but this is mainly for the first half of the movie. The whole film is psychological, but even though it's considered this, it's still got it's moments. Let's remember some scenes... hmm, what about the Redrum scene where are little boy Danny took a knife while repeating the strange word Redrum constantly every 3 seconds. Then he wrote the word Redrum on a door with lipstick... only for the word to get louder and louder until his mother woke up... when she looked into the mirror, the word Redrum was actually the word Murder spelled back-words. My point is that The Shining visually sets itself into your head mentally. This seems strange, but if you've seen the movie 1408 (another brilliant work by Stephen King), you'll see that the films are very similar for to each other. This is because they use the same tactics as each other. The plot is mature and mind-working, which I like. It makes you think on what's going on. I do think Stanley Kubrick is on par with Christopher Nolan when it comes to mind-benders, and that David Lynch is king, but what I'm trying to get to here is that many people who see The Shining are going to watch it thinking it's a B-Grade horror movie... but come out giving it a bad review because they weren't prepared for it. This movie is very scary because it uses genus psychological tactics, great acting... and let's face it, Jack is a very, very creepy person, even before he goes insane and thinks that he's Johnny, the hotel's infamous murderer who got cabin fever and killed his own family (and, like Johnny, Jack attempts to do the same). Oh, and by the way... what exactly is the shining? I'm not talking about the name of the movie, rather I'm talking about that "unique talent" that Danny has... known as The Shining. If you love horror movies, go watch it, but beware: psychological horror fans are in a treat, whilst splatter-house horror fans... uh, skip to the part where the elevator vomits blood and then you'll be satisfied... maybe...

• Zach B

  
  One thing that has always haunted and frightens people is the fear of loosing their minds. Even more when they become homicidal and start seeing and hearing people and things. And it does not help to start having cabin fever while being in a haunted hotel with your family. In Stanley… More
  One thing that has always haunted and frightens people is the fear of loosing their minds. Even more when they become homicidal and start seeing and hearing people and things. And it does not help to start having cabin fever while being in a haunted hotel with your family. In Stanley Kubrick's THE SHINING, we see what happens when ex-alcoholic Jack Torrence (Jack Nicholson) and his family are put into this hotel and the complete hell that breaks loose. In the terms of direction, this is one of Kubrick's weaker films. Now, do not get me wrong, Kubrick is a master at making films (2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, A CLOCKWORK ORANGE). Just, this one is more mainstream than his other ones and feels warned out a bit. But, that is not a complete blow towards the rating in this film. The direction is still great with all of Kubrick's trademarks (continuous shots, heavy use of steady-cams, etc.), but they seemed to not be as extravagant of outrages as his normal films. Acting, well, there are only three main people in this entire film and I am impressed with them all. Jack Nicholson gives one hell of a performance as he shows exactly how crazy he really can be. It is amazing to see him transform from this family man who is haunted with his past to this homicidal lunatic. Shelly Duvall is better in this role then in many others she has been in. The only fault she has with her acting in this film is that she tends to be bland a lot. But, she is okay overall. But, lets all face it. The person that steals the complete film is Danny Lloyd in his performance as Danny Torrance. For being the age he was when this film was made, he is beyond remarkable as he plays a timid, scared boy and his creepy 'friend' Tony. All I can say about him: Bravo. Now, the script for this story is like with every Kubrick adaptation from LOLITA to EYES WIDE SHUT: Kubrick reads the source material then writes his own version. Also like his other adaptations, his are usually better than the book. This script I like because of how it makes you think about what is happening and what is not. Believe me: when this film ends, you will be left wondering if the Overlook hotel really is haunted or was it all in Jack's mind. Finally the score. Wendy Carlos returns here from her time working on A CLOCKWORK ORANGE to give us a score that is different in terms of how it is use, but is creepy and builds on the atmosphere. For her work, I am giving her props. Overall, this is not Kubrick's best, but it is not his worst. I recommend this to anyone who is wanting to experience Kubrick for the first time.

• Jennifer X

  
  I think The Shining is overrated. And this is from someone who likes Kubrick quite a bit. Horror movies are just so darn boring.

• John H

  
  If nothing else, it's worth a wwatch for Jack. Still my absolute favorite performance of his.

• Richard C

  
  This is one of the greatest horror movies of all time. Its just brilliant. Its a very suspenseful and scary horror movie. Its is definitely one of my favorite horror movies. I loved it. Grade: A

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