What do you consider to be the most iconic horror movie of all time? For me, it has got to be The Shining. Starring Jack Nicholson and Shelly Duvall, this film based on a book by Stephen King is a classic. In this post, I'll share why this is a timeless film I'd recommend to everyone.
Horror movies are not my thing. I have watched a reasonable amount of them, but I watched them only because the rest of my family are fans of the genre. I am the type of person who watches these movies only when I watch with family. Or with friends, if they manage to force me to go with them. I would never watch this genre of my own volition, I am not that into these films at all. I even pass on these movies when I can.
I will only watch it if someone asks me to watch it with them, which is rare since people close to me know that I am not a fan. It is not that these movies scare me, but that I do not enjoy watching these types of films in general. That does not mean that I have a limited list of horror movies that I have seen. Through the years have still seen a reasonable amount of them. I have even sat through a marathon of all the Nightmare in Elm Street movies with my father when he asked me to.
One of the horror movies that I've seen that has left an impact on me to this day is The Shining. Released in 1980, I first watched this as a child and I have watched it several more times since. Watching the film was an annual tradition between me and my cousins in our younger years. It is one of those movies that we used to expect to see whenever we were all together. A friend of mine said it was sa weird tradition, but that's the way we used to do it. I guess that makes us an unusual bunch of kids, but I like it!
The movie is a part of my growing up years and it has left a mark on me for several reasons. Here are some of them:
Legendary
Horror movies are a part of popular culture. It helps people to experience fear and excitement in a safe environment. You get the rush without the danger.
Many horror movies come out every year and it can be easy to lose yourself in all the options. This is one of the reasons why I love The Shining. Because out of all the movies that have come out decades after its release, it is still recognized as one of the best.
The Shining is one of those movies that left a mark on the horror genre. It's a movie with images that left a mark on me from the first time I've seen it. It's not a film that only gives jump scares, but it is also one that messes with your mind. That aspect for me makes it even creepier.
Mind Games
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| Credit: Warner Bros |
Classified as a psychological horror, the movie is about Jack Torrance and his family. Jack is an off-season caretaker of the Overlook Hotel, where he moves with his family. It is during the off-season when the hotel is empty. With his wife and young son, they settle into the hotel for the winter.
During the movie, many strange things happen at the hotel. It appears to be supernatural, but at the same time, it feels like a psychological one too. This is further complicated by the mental instability that develops with Jack. He starts off looking a bit off, but later he develops this murderous rage that scares his family.
It is not clear if he is being influenced by supernatural beings in the hotel or if the reason is psychological. The film revealed that Jack is an alcoholic and it makes viewers wonder if that could be a reason for it. But, it is also implied that isolation in an empty hotel could have messed with his mind too.
Jack goes after his own family and attempts to kill them near the end of the movie. The film culminates with his death after he is trapped in the hotel's large garden maze, frozen to death.
As scary as Jack's behavior was, what made it scarier was that the former caretaker did the same thing to his family. It was like the hotel was making the caretakers that way. It made me go back and forth in my mind about the various reasons for what happened to him. It made me wonder what the film intended for viewers to feel about that.
I am not a fan of the horror genre. Despite that, I liked that this movie is something that does not oversell with the jump scares or blood and gore.
After watching the film through the years I realized that the movie’s appeal for me is that it made you think. It scared you more by playing with your mind rather than scaring you with violence.
Now that I look back, Jack only kills one person in the film. It's not your typical horror film in that sense. Even then, the killing is not even in the way that modern horror movies do where it can be as gruesome as possible. The ending also makes you think and wonder about the supernatural power the hotel has on the people in it.
The events of the movie made me wonder what was the reason for everything. Why was the hotel like that? Why the caretakers? Why was Jack's photo in the hotel from decades ago? I know I should not search for logic and reason for things that happen in horror films, but I couldn't help but wonder. Should I read the book to understand it better?
Visuals
I have not seen the movie in years, but I still remember images and scenes from the film. Jack Nicholson breaks down a door with an ax as Shelly Duvall screams in terror. The young boy on his bike riding along the carpeted hotel hallway. The same boy saying “Redrum.” The scary twins in matching dresses. The scary lady in that one hotel room. A large amount of blood flowed into the hallway. The hedge maze with Jack Nicholson freezing to death while holding a scary look on his face. These are all iconic images I will never forget.
The Shining is the reason I like psychological horror more than slasher films. I love films that make you think. I love it more when they mess with your mind than go after the shock factor. Don't get me wrong, I still would not watch these movies on my own. I'm still not a fan of the genre. But if I had to choose, I would pick movies like The Shining.
What makes the movie good it is based on a book by Stephen King, also known as The King of Horror. It is also directed by Stanley Kubrick, who is one of the greatest directors of all time. That combined with talented actors in the movie made it an unforgettable film. I have never seen a Jack Nicholson movie that did not remind me of this one!
I have read that there is a sequel to this one called Doctor Sleep starring Ewan McGregor, released in 2019. I have not had the chance to see that yet but I most likely won't. Reviews do not seem to be that good, which is disappointing. I decided that I would pass on it because it might spoil what I liked about The Shining.
Considering that The Shining raised the bar, I knew that anything less for the follow-up would be bad. The expectations are too high. There is so much to live up to! I wish that they did not do a sequel if they did not think they could do a better job!
The Shining is available on YouTube for rent and sale. It's also available in other streaming services, depending on your location. Suppose anyone knows more about this. leave a message on this post and tell me about it!
The Fandesals Podcast featured an episode of iconic horror films in season two. The Shining was also mentioned in this one. If you understand Tagalog and are a horror fan, you might like this one! Give it a watch (or listen) and tell me what you think!
Have you seen The Shining before? What did you think of it? Do you agree with what I thought of the film? What did you think of the sequel? Share your views with me in the comment section!
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