Advertisement

What makes 'The Shining' so scary? Why is it considered a 'masterpiece'?

What makes 'The Shining' so scary? Why is it considered a 'masterpiece'? Why is The Shining (1980) so scary? What makes it a masterpiece? Why did Kubrick decide to make so many changes from the source material? And how does that impact the resulting image? Spikima goes full depth analysis mode with The Shining (1980), a film directed by the legendary Stanley Kubrick, starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, and Scatman Crothers.

///background///
The Shining (1980) is a movie adaptation of an original novel by Stephen King of the same title (1977), directed by Stanley Kubrick. A family of three, Jack, Wendy and Dan Torrance, spend their time at The Overlook Hotel located in Colorado, working as the caretaker of the hotel for its off-winter-season. Jack, a recovering alcoholic dealing with anger issues, tries to focus on his writing and recover his relationship with his family, but a sinister presence starts bringing the family down the spiral of unspeakable doom.

/// video info ///
At first I was intending to make a video comparing Flanagan’s Doctor Sleep to two versions of the Shining as well as the Doctor Sleep book, but as I started doing my research, I just fell in love yet again with Stanley Kubrick’s version of The Shining. Then it hit me- why does this film work so great, although many critics and fans of the book may have initially hated it?

This video is a 'comprehensive summary', in that I have researched and reviewed many interviews and articles about the movie to gather accurate information to better present my own take of the movie - in short, to make sure I don't get any factual info about the movie wrong simply for the sake of 'interpreting'. Please note that some parts of the films were edited / cut to illustrate my point within the time frame I had.

Here are some videos I have watched for references:

: Video essay about The Shining from Lessons from the Screenplay; if you wish to delve deeper into the theme of 'ambiguity', which I only briefly mention with 'uncanny valley', check this amazing video out.
: Behind the scenes for The Shining; you will be able to understand the exact vibe the film was shot in, as well as some great method acting from Jack Nicholson!

This goes the same with any other future videos of mine, but I will be making sure to cite any sources if certain ideas / phrases are borrowed, quoted, or mentioned for its interest value, or for its brilliance, to give credit, as well as to share them with you guys.

Anyways, all that to say that I have NOT covered all of the great scenes as examples and this is NOT a definite answer, or the only interpretation available.

Otherwise, enjoy, like and subscribe, turn that notification on, and let me know in the comment section below of any suggestions, ideas, and feedback!

Click on CC for 한글 subtitle!
#Movie
#Analysis
#TheShining

///music///
Intro by Spikima (links will be available soon)
Mid section: The halloween Dawn by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (
Ending: An Evening, A Lifetime by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (

///social media///
Instagram @spikima for my upcoming videos, news, and other fun stuff.

why is the shining a masterpiece,why is the shining scary,stanley kubrick,jack nicholson movie,uncanny valley,stephen king movie,why is the shining famous,why is stanley kubrick a good director,spikima,the shining meaning,the shining symbolism,doctor sleep vs the shining,the shining movie vs book,the shining explained,the shining ending,the shining,스탠리 큐브릭 영화,why is stanley kubrick important,what makes scary movies scary,the shining twins,더 샤이닝 해석,

Post a Comment

0 Comments