#14 - Doctor Sleep (2019)
Yes, I’m a day behind. Yes I’m going out of order. Get over it.
Alright, guys, let’s talk about “Doctor Sleep.” Now, I’m not gonna lie – when I first heard they were adapting the sequel to “The Shining*, I had some serious doubts. I mean, the Kubrick “Shining” is like one of the most iconic horror films of all time. How do you follow that up without screwing it up? The book, “Doctor Sleep,” while very very good…is very much a sequel to the book version of the Shining which is quite different. So how do you adapt the book appropriately…but also work as a sequel to one of the greatest horror films of all time? Well, somehow, “Doctor Sleep” pulled it off, and I’m gonna tell you why it’s actually awesome.
First off, the movie has this super cool balancing act where it’s both a sequel to the book “The Shining” and Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film. For the Stephen King fans out there, this movie does a much better job staying true to the source material, which I know is a huge plus because, let’s be honest, King has some feelings about Kubrick’s version (he hated it). But for people like me who love Kubrick’s movie? It’s got plenty of callbacks to keep us happy, too.
Ewan McGregor absolutely kills it as grown-up Danny Torrance. You totally buy his journey from this broken-down alcoholic dealing with childhood trauma to becoming the kind of mentor he never had. It’s a solid arc, and McGregor nails that balance between haunted and hopeful. Plus, I’ve gotta shout out Kyliegh Curran, who plays Abra – this kid with powerful *shining* abilities. She’s such a cool character and adds a lot of fresh energy to the story. It’s not just a rehash of *The Shining*; it takes the concept of the *shine* and expands on it in really interesting ways.
But let’s talk about the MVP of the movie – Rebecca Ferguson as Rose the Hat. I don’t know about you guys, but I loved this villain. She’s this mysterious, almost seductive leader of a creepy group called the True Knot, who prey on people with the *shining*. Ferguson makes Rose both menacing and weirdly charismatic, which is not an easy thing to pull off. I found myself equally freaked out by her and oddly drawn in whenever she was on screen. She’ll be talked about for years.
Now, Mike Flanagan, the director, deserves some serious praise. The dude has made a name for himself in horror with stuff like *The Haunting of Hill House*, but here he shows he can really handle a big legacy like *The Shining* without messing it up. There are these subtle moments where he recreates iconic shots from Kubrick’s movie, and they’re done in such a loving way. It never feels like cheap fan service; instead, it feels like a bridge connecting the two films. Not a big surprise especially since he was responsible for the incredible adaption of “Gerald’s Game.” Another Stephen King book that was deemed, for the longest time, as unfilmable.
And let’s not forget the Overlook Hotel. When they go back, it hits you right in the nostalgia – but in a good way. It’s like revisiting a haunted house you were once trapped in, and the way they play with the imagery and references is straight-up fan candy. But here’s the thing – “Doctor Sleep” doesn’t rely on nostalgia. It builds its own identity. It’s got its own vibe, pacing, and themes that make it more than just a “sequel to a classic.” It’s about healing, trauma, and finding your place in the world after you’ve been through hell.
The movie’s also got this more emotional depth than you might expect from a horror film. It’s not just jump scares or blood. It explores real human struggles, and the supernatural elements actually amplify the personal drama rather than overshadow it. By the time it wraps up, it feels like you’ve watched something way more meaningful than just a creepy ghost movie. Particularly the sequence of Danny speaking at an AA meeting. It feels incredibly natural and appropriate given what Danny’s been through.
I’m also pretty excited at the fact they didn’t bother to try and deep fake the actors from “The Shining.” They just recast age appropriate actors who do a GREAT job channeling the iconic sequences (in quick flashbacks) and new sequences. I won’t spoil it but there is a sequence that was, indeed, completely written for the movie and some people are definitely gonna say it’s just nostalgia bait…but I disagree. I think it makes COMPLETE logical sense…AND shows the difference in character between Danny and Jack.
So, if you were on the fence about “Doctor Sleep” because it’s a sequel to a movie that didn’t need one, trust me – give it a chance. It respects “The Shining” while still bringing its own thing to the table. It’s intense, weirdly beautiful at times, and has some genuinely cool ideas about the world of the “shine.”.
Bottom line: “Doctor Sleep” is one of those rare sequels that actually adds something to its predecessor, and in my book, that’s a win.