If you thought you saw the last of the horrors of the OverLook Hotel, you were wrong. It’s back. It’s great.
Anytime a movie is going to be remade or is getting a sequel there are mixed feelings. When it was announced that Doctor Sleep would be a sequel to The Shining it was no different. The idea of the 1980 classic The Shining getting a sequel sparked worry among fans because more often than not remakes or reinventions of classic films don’t top the original.
However, Doctor Sleep was very enjoyable and does not disappoint. Doctor Sleep takes you to the haunted past and present of Danny Torrence.
Assuming that the viewer has seen The Shining, they would know that Danny has what is called the “shine,” which is a psychic ability that allows him to tap into the spiritual realm and the role it played in the horrifying events that took place in his childhood at the Overlook Hotel.
Speaking of the original, it’s best that you watch it before seeing this film. It is possible to view Doctor Sleep as a stand-alone; however, watching the original you will understand more of the storyline and it will prevent you from being somewhat lost and leaving the theater with more questions than answers.
This film follows Danny as he has to deal with the trauma of his childhood and old ghosts of the past coming back into his life giving him no choice but to face them, thankfully this time, not alone. A reoccurring theme in this film that is explored in multiple ways is death. Throughout the entire movie there are references to the first film both visually and musically.
The way that details from the original story are sewn into this story without making it seem like a story we’ve heard before is very impressive. Director Mike Flanagan manages to weave in details that have purpose and that are complex rather than just throwing them in to make it clear this is a sequel to The Shining.
Along with complex allusions is the complex characters. Ewan McGregor and Rebecca Ferguson headline the cast and give great performances. McGregor manages to give Danny a wariness, almost an internal sadness that shows the scars the events of his childhood have left on his soul.
Ferguson gives a frightfully good performance as Rose, an energy vampire that is the main antagonist in the film. The score of the film is excellent and creates an ominous mood with newly composed pieces as well as some old ones like the spine-chilling overture from the original film.
The length of the film however is unnecessary, running at two hours and 30 minutes. There are a few scenes that could have been cut down as they were a little lengthy as well as some scenes that could have used more elaboration.
Overall the movie is definitely worth a watch and really keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. If you are a fan of the original then you will probably appreciate this one and the tale it has to tell forever, and ever, and ever.