Still irrevocably scarred by the trauma he endured as a child at the Overlook, Dan Torrance has fought to find some semblance of peace. But that peace is shattered when he encounters Abra, a courag...
You’d think a sequel to one of the greatest psychological horror films of all time, the 1980 Kubrick classic “The Shining,” would be a disastrous, pointless mess. So it’s a bit of a minor miracle that “Doctor Sleep” is every bit as good as the movie on which its based. This continuation of the original story is engaging, well acted, skillfully shot, and touches on deeper themes that you wouldn’t expect from a horror film. It stands on its own as well as being a satisfying sequel.
Danny Torrance (Ewan McGregor) is now all grown up, and is a struggling alcoholic. Still scarred by the trauma he endured as a child at the Overlook Hotel, Danny is doing his best to turn his life around and accepts the help of a kind stranger (Cliff Curtis) to get back on his feet. Everything is going well until one night he gets a “shine” vibe from teenager Abra (Kyliegh Curran), who has one of the strongest gifts he’s ever encountered. But Danny isn’t the only one who’s picked up on Abra’s powers, and she’s soon the target of the villainous Rose the Hat (Rebecca Ferguson) and her gang of followers who feed off the “shine” of others.
The first-rate performances elevate the material with McGregor and Ferguson turning in some of their career-best work. They inhabit their characters so well it’s downright scary. Even the supporting cast leaves an impact, especially Jacob Tremblay, in a small role as an abducted boy. His scene is one of the most terrifying in the film, and it’s unforgettable.
Fans of “The Shining” will delight in a couple of throwback sequences that are incredibly clever. We see Danny and his mom and dad as their younger selves but instead of utilizing hokey de-aging CGI, director Mike Flanagan chooses to cast look-alike actors. By the time the movie turned back to the Overlook Hotel, I was on the edge of my seat (fueled by an uneasy nostalgia) until the very end.
The ominous tone is carried throughout, blending well with the significant themes of intense fear, trauma, addiction, grief, and healing. It’s cerebral and thoughtful, but still thrilling and entertaining. “Doctor Sleep” is one of the better movies of the year, and it should be embraced as a modern instant classic for fans of “The Shining.”
