Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”, released on November 7, 1980, is a haunting adaptation of Stephen King’s novel that has since become a pillar of horror cinema. Starring Jack Nicholson as the increasingly unhinged Jack Torrance, Shelley Duvall as his tormented wife, Wendy, and Danny Lloyd as their gifted son, Danny. The film shows the dangers of isolation and the combination of sanity. The movie takes place in the Overlook Hotel, where the family becomes trapped in a winter storm, allowing the hotel to influence Jack’s transition into craziness. With a budget of about $19 million, “The Shining” continues to resonate with audiences for its unsettling atmosphere.
Various experts have weighed in on the film’s lasting impact. According to Pennridge Film Teacher, Hannah Godshall, who explores Kubrick’s unique approach, “His use of camera work and lighting provides an unsettling, creeping feeling. You didn’t know when the scares would happen.” She talks about how important the Overlook Hotel is in the story, saying, “The hotel feels like a character all on its own. It has a spooky vibe that adds to the scary parts.” Andrew Levush added more to this by explaining that the way the hotel is designed makes you feel uneasy, keeping you excited and nervous. “The layout of the Overlook is confusing and creepy, which makes you feel like something is going to happen right at any moment,” he says. Both of them agree that the music and sound effects in the movie are really important for creating suspense. Levush also mentions, “It feels like something big is about to happen, but then it surprises you by being something different,” showing how the movie keeps you feeling tense and on the edge of your seat.
The movie takes some big changes from Stephen King’s original story. It adds cool things like the famous hedge maze and spooky ghosts, but the main ideas are still there. The director, Stanley Kubrick, was very detailed and specific, which made things tough for the whole cast and crew. Actress Shelley Duvall had a really hard time filming, and this made her performance even more powerful. One of the most famous scenes is the blood-filled elevator, which really shows just how creepy the hotel is. The lighting and colors in the movie are used to create different feelings and to show that something scary is happening. As the story goes on, there are deeper themes about important topics like Native American history and mental struggles. Kubrick and King did not always agree on how the movie should be made. This led to some interesting changes that have pushed many fans to make their own ideas and theories about the film. Because of all this, “The Shining” has become a classic in horror movie history. “The Shining” is an important movie that has inspired many modern films with its special look and way of making horror feel realistic. It is considered a classic and is often mentioned in other movies, shows, and even in pop culture. It reminds people that the scariest things can be found deep inside our own minds. “The Shining” isn’t just a story about a haunted hotel; it’s also about understanding what fear really means. Its impact shows how much this film matters to audiences even today.
