The Shining – An overrated thriller

Horror and thriller movies are key staples of October. With spooky season in full swing, people are breaking out the classic scary movies to get in the Halloween spirit. 

One of these movies is Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film, “The Shining.” I went into this movie with high expectations because it is considered one of the greatest thrillers of all time. 

The movie, unfortunately, did not live up to these expectations. While it can be argued how influential it is, the movie felt drawn out and dated. 

The film's feeling of age makes sense because it was made 45 years ago. Many scenes felt awkwardly placed in and did not build something for the viewer. This might have been intentional to grow more distrust in Jack, played by Jack Nicholson, but there were better ways to do that than making clunky scenes.  

Part of the reason the scenes felt weird was because of the acting. 

Throughout the film, everyone felt tense and uncomfortable. The audience never saw a scene where we were supposed to trust Jack. 

His turn to insanity and trying to kill his family was expected rather than a shock because Jack seemed to hate his family throughout the entire film. The misogynistic comments during his turn to insanity, like calling his wife a “sperm bank,” were normal because he would yell and cuss at her when he was sane. 

 Jack never showed his love for his wife, Wendy, played by Shelley Duvall. However, it was evident Jack cared a little for his son, Danny, but Wendy loved their son more throughout the movie. 

Jack’s lack of empathy hurt his turn to insanity, but the fault for that is with the writers. Another fault of the writers is the portrayal of Wendy by Duvall. 

Wendy appears to be one of the dumbest characters in cinematic history, just from her lack of common sense. The family was paid to watch the Overlook Hotel for the winter, around five months, but one month in, Jack is treating his family worse, and no one seemed to notice or care. 

Her husband is losing his mind; her son keeps seizing and saying weird things, but let's stay at the isolated hotel and not try to leave sooner. Wendy’s decision-making is baffling until the last 30 minutes of the film. 

Before discussing the end of the film, it is important to note the best actor in this movie is the child actor, Danny. Danny portrays himself, but he also has a different voice that speaks through him because of his gift. 

Danny is gifted with the shining, which allows him to see visions and talk to others with the gift, like the cook at the Overlook who went to Miami for the winter. While his acting is not generational, Danny is by far the best in the movie, as his character feels real. 

Danny’s shining gift is shown to the audience towards the beginning of the film, but it is not explained until the family arrives at the hotel. The cook senses Danny’s ability and explains it to him and to the audience. 

At the end of the film, when Jack is trying to murder his family, Danny contacts the chef with the shining to help his family. This would lead the chef to return to help before being immediately murdered by Jack for trying to stop him.  

While the movie had its issues and weaknesses, it also had its strengths. The cinematography and score were two of its best strengths. 

Kubrick was dedicated to making a beautiful-looking movie, and he achieved it. The set design was fantastic, and several camera shots left the viewer in awe. 

One camera shot is the blood rushing out of the elevator into the lobby, moving the furniture and painting the viewer’s view red. This clip is splicedinto the movie multiple times, but each time it is played a bit longer.  

There is also the scene where Wendy and Danny are trying to find their way through the hedge maze that the hotel has. It starts with them, cuts to Jack exploring the hotel and finding a replica of the maze and then zooms in at the end of the maze, bringing the audience back to Wendy and Danny. 

Another shot is when Danny rides his big wheel through the hotel. This happens multiple times with the camera following Danny riding in silence while his wheels hit the hardwood and carpet, making different noises as it changes surfaces. 

Kubrick tried to jump scare the audience with different images cut into scenes. One example is the iconic scene with Danny and the two twins who say, “Come play with us.” 

In the scene, while they talk, it cuts back and forth between their still, unfazed faces and Danny, absolutely terrified. It then starts to cut into images of when the girls were murdered by their father. 

The score of the film is amazing and helps keep the viewer in the film. At first, it seems like this intense slasher sound is playing at random times, but as the movie progresses, it helps the viewer feel like this could be the moment when Jack snaps. 

While Kubrick was the movie’s greatest strength, he was also one of its weaknesses. He helped write the screenplay, and the writing was one of the film's biggest struggles.  

Also, his need for perfection is insane; Kubrick had Duvall walk up the stairs backward while swinging a bat 127 times. He was the best part of the movie at some points, but at others, Kubrick was his worst enemy.  

This movie is an overrated thriller, helping inspire others to write better films. While it did have its positives, it should not be hyped up as much as it is today.  

The film was good in its time, but it is not an ageless classic that can be watched now.