If you’re in the mood for a movie that will leave you feeling thrilled and exhilarated, The Shining is the perfect pick. This classic paranormal horror film from 1980, directed by Stanley Kubrick, is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat with its spine-tingling moments.
What sets this movie apart is its use of psychological horror to create a truly bone-chilling fear. The film takes a deep dive into the concept of haunted spaces, exploring both the physical world and the human mind in a fascinating way.
The plot is captivating and will leave a lasting impression on you long after the credits roll. For an unforgettable cinematic experience, you can’t go wrong with The Shining.
What Is the Story Behind The Shining?
The Shining is a horror movie that follows the story of Jack Torrance, a struggling writer who takes a job as a winter caretaker at the Overlook Hotel with his wife, Wendy, and son Danny. As winter sets in and the family becomes isolated from the outside world, the hotel’s supernatural presence starts to take hold of Jack.
As Jack becomes more and more unhinged, Wendy and Danny begin to experience terrifying visions and encounters with the hotel’s ghosts. Eventually, Jack succumbs completely to the hotel’s influence and attempts to murder his family.
In the climactic scene, Wendy and Danny flee through the hotel’s maze while Jack chases them with an axe. Wendy and Danny manage to escape, but Jack freezes to death in the maze. The movie ends with a shot of a photograph from the hotel’s past, showing Jack as a caretaker in a previous life, implying that he has become a permanent part of the hotel’s haunted legacy.
Who Was the Original Killer in The Shining?
The main villain of the horror flick was Jack. The cinematic masterpiece features a compelling storyline centered around the character of Jack Torrance, a struggling writer who accepts a job as a caretaker at the Overlook Hotel during the winter months due to his declining financial situation.
As the story unfolds, Torrance’s mental instability becomes increasingly apparent, and it becomes evident that the supernatural forces at play within the hotel are exerting their influence on him. The gradual unraveling of Torrance’s mind is both haunting and captivating, and the eerie atmosphere of the hotel only adds to the overall chilling effect of the film.
Overall, The Shining is a must-see for any fan of psychological thrillers or horror films.
Why Is Jack in the 1921 Photo?
Interpretations of this particular scene have been varied and plentiful. However, the most commonly accepted notion is that it illustrates the Overlook Hotel absorbing Jack’s soul.
Nonetheless, a more uncomplicated interpretation is that Jack has been reincarnated. The theory suggests that Jack Torrance is the embodiment of a previous guest or employee of the Overlook Hotel from many decades prior.
It is also believed that Charles Grady, the former caretaker who became murderous while tending to the hotel the previous summer, was also reincarnated. The final photo in the ballroom appears to lend credence to the idea that Jack has indeed been reincarnated.
In summation, it seems that Jack Torrance is a reincarnated individual who had previous ties to the Overlook Hotel in 1921.
Why Did Jack Go Crazy in The Shining?
Jack’s mental state is deteriorated because of a combination of factors. The most obvious one is his guilt that he is not able to provide for his family, which he thinks is his obligation as the man of the family, which eventually lets the madness set in.
A combination of loneliness that he experiences in the aloof hotel, along with the guilt and paranormal activities of the hotel, gives impetus to him turning psychotic.
Also, Jack’s endearing involvement with the sordid history of the hotel, which fascinates him to the extent that he quits his job and starts writing a book on it instead, itself speaks volumes on how much the hotel was absorbing him. Needless to say, he further losses his mind under the influence of the ghosts who keep talking to him.
In the later parts of the movie, it can also be observed that Jack has developed a severe form of Schizophrenia, which is evident through his constant hallucinations and intense emotional expressions, which proves his paranoia.
Why Is the Hotel Evil in The Shining?
Given the history of negativity that surrounded the hotel, the Overlooked Hotel, indeed, was overlooked for many evil practices. Right from the deaths of several people to the abuse because of alcoholism, all catered to the making of the negative powers of the hotel.
The objective is to portray a harrowing cycle of rebirth, wherein Jack becomes an integral part of the hotel’s legacy. During his visit to the men’s room, he strikes up a conversation with Grady, the erstwhile caretaker who now exists as a ghost.
Gradually, the overwhelming and sinister aura of the hotel starts to take shape, and the ghosts begin to manifest themselves, forming a circle around Wendy, Danny, and Halloran.
Now that we got you covered on it all let us know what you liked the most about the film. Was it horrifying enough for you?
What is your interpretation of the movie? Let us know!
