CINEXA

The Shining

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? Use this page to compare cast context, genre fit (Drama, Horror), release year 1980, and whether this film matches tonight's mood.

The Shining poster on CINEXA

Story of The Shining

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?

Use this page to compare cast context, genre fit (Drama, Horror), release year 1980, and whether this film matches tonight's mood.

Title facts

  • Type Movie
  • Release year 1980
  • Released 13 Jun 1980
  • Runtime 146 minutes
  • Content rating R
  • IMDb rating IMDb 8.4/10 from 1,216,349 votes
  • Metascore 68/100
  • Genres Drama, Horror
  • Languages English
  • Countries United Kingdom, United States

Cast

Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd

Direction and writing

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick

Written by: Stephen King, Stanley Kubrick, Diane Johnson

Awards and recognition

6 wins & 9 nominations total

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