The Shining

"A masterpiece of modern horror."

Jun 13 1980 R 2h 26m
Drama, Horror

Jack Torrance accepts a caretaker job at the Overlook Hotel, where he, along with his wife Wendy and their son Danny, must live isolated from the rest of the world for the winter. But they aren't prepared for the madness that lurks within.

Plot

Haunted by a persistent writer's block, the aspiring author and recovering alcoholic, Jack Torrance, drags his wife, Wendy, and his gifted son, Danny, up snow-capped Colorado's secluded Overlook Hotel after taking up a job as an off-season caretaker. As the cavernous hotel shuts down for the season, the manager gives Jack a grand tour, and the facility's chef, the ageing Mr Hallorann, has a fascinating chat with Danny about a rare psychic gift called "The Shining", making sure to warn him about the hotel's abandoned rooms, and, in particular, the off-limits Room 237. However, instead of overcoming the dismal creative rut, little by little, Jack starts losing his mind, trapped in an unforgiving environment of seemingly endless snowstorms, and a gargantuan silent prison riddled with strange occurrences and eerie visions. Now, the incessant voices inside Jack's head demand sacrifice. Is Jack capable of murder?

Written by

Stephen King, Stanley Kubrick, Diane Johnson

Directed by

Stanley Kubrick

Production Countries

United Kingdom, United States of America

Production Companies

Producers Circle, Warner Bros. Pictures, Peregrine, Hawk Films

Languages

English

Awards

6 wins & 9 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
1,157,617
Average Rating
8.4 out of 10
Metascore
68
Popularity
NA