'Doctor Sleep': Film Review

“Here’s Johnny” is a catchphrase that was made famous when Jack Nicholson used it in Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film ‘The Shining’ which is, of course, the adaptation of Stephen King’s novel by the same name. The Shining is a cult classic and so when it was announced that Mike Flanagan would be adapting the thrilling book sequel of ‘The Shining’ - ‘Doctor Sleep’ – into a film, it’s fair to say that people were left both sceptical and excited. My attention was grabbed even more when it was announced that Ewan McGregor would be playing the role of grown-up Danny Torrance. This film was going to star one of my favourite actors and it was going to bring to life the story that King had penned on what had happened to little Danny – a question many of us were left with after reading the book/watching the film. There was a lot of hype surrounding the film – the trailers and promotional posters were doing a lot to sell it and so when I finally went to see it, I got to see if it lived up to the hype. In my opinion, it was worth every bit of hype it received and I’m going to share with you why I think this is.

It’s not a secret that Stephen King was never the biggest fan of Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 ‘The Shining’ adaptation, so immediately Flanagan was left with the dilemma of serving as a sequel to both the film and the book; whilst keeping King and audiences alike happy. It was always going to be a struggle for them to do justice to the book whilst also staying true to the legacy of a film that is widely popular; even if it does split opinions. However, in my personal opinion – they succeeded in doing this.

The Cast

Like I said, Ewan McGregor starred as a grown-up Danny Torrance and as always, he delivered a powerhouse performance packed full of emotion, energy and elegance. However, the cast was brimming with talent and one that is definitely note worthy is that of thirteen-year-old star Kyliegh Curran. Her performance as Abra Stone deserves a lot of recognition. Her stellar performance had me captivated from the moment she appeared on screen as everyone’s new favourite teen hero. I can’t wait to watch this young performer’s journey as I’m sure she’s destined for great things. As well as McGregor and Curran, ‘Doctor Sleep’ also starred the incredible Rebecca Ferguson as the fearsome Rose the Hat. Every single member of the talented cast pull together to bring their characters and a strong script to life through their performances.

The Nods To Stanley Kubrick’s ‘The Shining’

Let’s be real – they couldn’t do a sequel to ‘The Shining’ without having references and Easter Eggs connecting to the beloved film. The most poignant and obvious one is the return to The Overlook Hotel. This was something that was a nod to the ending of the film where the hotel was simply closed down; whereas at the end of the book – the hotel was burned down. So, for me, the decision to follow on from the events from the film and returning to the hotel was a good one. When watching ‘Doctor Sleep’, it really intensified the feeling of anxiety when Danny returned to the, literal, place of nightmares. I want to stay as spoiler free as possible, but there were so many great little nods to the film, for instance a shot of McGregor and Curran standing on the steps in the hotel and Danny is mirroring his mother’s actions all those years ago when she yielded the baseball bat. We also see Danny battling with alcoholism which was a not so fun Easter Egg as this is something Jack struggled with in ‘The Shining’. There are lots of other great tips of the hat and Easter Eggs to be found in the film, such as Danny holding an axe in the hotel; much like his father. However, I’ll stay free from spoilers now and let you see for yourself. Comment any Easter Eggs you spotted below!

Originality Whilst Remaining True To It’s Roots

Sequels are always going to be a hit or miss, because they need to find the balance of remaining true to their predecessors whilst also acting as a stand-alone film in its own rights. ‘Doctor Sleep’ managed to encapsulate this perfectly with all the references to the film and book of ‘The Shining’ but still serves as film of its own merits. The horror aspect was more embedded in ‘The Shining’ roots and ‘Doctor Sleep’ brought in a more psychological thriller aspect to it whilst delving into delicate topics, such as alcoholism, and also providing us with a deeper insight into Danny, his shine and others like him.

Have you seen ‘Doctor Sleep’ or are you hoping to? Let me know your thoughts below and tell me if you agree with me or not!