Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining is widely lauded as one of the greatest horror films of all time, but is it better than its source material? Stephen King surely doesn’t think so – even if he admits the film is well made – but fans treasure the film. In the grand scheme of things, could the book have been better this whole time?
Stephen King’s novel, published in 1977 and set in Colorado, is a masterful blend of horror and psychological exploration. It delves deep into the psyche of Jack Torrance, a recovering alcoholic with a turbulent past, who takes a job as an off-season caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel. King’s exceptional storytelling gradually unfolds the Torrance family’s descent into terror, with Jack’s sanity slowly eroding under the hotel’s malevolent influence. The novel is a rich tapestry of complex characters, nuanced relationships, and a meticulously detailed history of the hotel. It combines the terror of the supernatural with the horror inherent in human nature, creating a chilling narrative that lingers in the reader’s mind. King takes his time, building up suspense in a crescendo of madness and murder (or redrum). King’s greatest strength in the novel is his ability to create relatable characters. Readers are introduced to Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) as a flawed but deeply human character struggling with addiction and anger issues. His relationship with his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and their son Danny (Danny Lloyd) is painted with intricate, tender strokes, making their inevitable spiral into horror even more impactful.
Additionally, King’s novel excels in its exploration of the supernatural. Danny’s ‘shining’ – his psychic ability – is meticulously detailed, as is the malicious history of the Overlook Hotel. The hotel is not just a backdrop for the horror but a character in itself, its malevolent influence seeping into the lives of the Torrance family. King’s focus on the supernatural adds an additional layer of tension and mystery to the narrative.
On the other hand, Kubrick’s 1980 film adaptation has a more detached, colder (literally) view of the Torrance family’s ordeal. Kubrick steps away from the connection King builds within the Torrance family, setting Jack up as an angrier character right from the start. The film focuses more on the visual and auditory aspects of storytelling, using the eerie setting of the Overlook Hotel and Jack Nicholson’s intense performance to create an explicit sense of impending doom. Kubrick’s rendition of The Shining is less about the characters’ internal struggles and more about the overwhelming, oppressive horror of the haunted hotel and the terror of isolation. The film’s iconic imagery and haunting score have made it one of the most influential horror films ever made.
As aforementioned, King’s novel provides a deeper understanding of the characters, their motivations, and their relationships. The gradual progression of Jack’s descent into madness, the intimate portrayal of Wendy’s fear and desperation, and the detailed depiction of Danny’s psychic abilities offer a comprehensive view of the family’s ordeal. King’s narrative also explores themes like addiction/alcoholism, domestic violence, the ghosts of the past, and the struggle for redemption — fleshing out the world of The Shining in ways the film doesn’t have space for. King doesn’t shy away from exposing the darker side of humanity, raising uncomfortable questions about our capacity for evil. The book’s deep psychological insights and nuanced exploration of these themes lend it a timeless quality.
On the other hand, the film’s strength lies in its ability to create an atmosphere of dread using visual and auditory cues. Kubrick’s meticulous direction, combined with Nicholson’s iconically disturbing performance, create a palpable sense of unease. While the film diverges significantly from the source material, it stands as a unique work of art in its own right. Kubrick trades the slow-burn psychological terror of the book for a more immediate, visceral horror. The film’s horror is less about what is said and more about what is seen and felt. The film’s most famous scenes, like the river of blood flowing from the hotel’s elevator or the creepy twins (who weren’t in King’s novel) in the corridor, have been etched into pop culture consciousness; not to mention the lasting impact of Jack Nicholson bursting through the bathroom door and improvising, “here’s Johnny!” which ultimately turned a reference to the Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson into what modern viewers know as a reference to The Shining. Kubrick’s “The Shining” also leaves more room for interpretation, with its ambiguous ending and many mysterious elements.
Kubrick’s use of long, steady shots and an eerie score creates an oppressive, claustrophobic atmosphere that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats. The film is also open to various interpretations, with multiple theories about its symbolism and hidden messages, lending it a mystique that continues to captivate audiences. However, the film’s focus on atmospheric horror comes at the expense of character development. Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of Jack Torrance, while iconic, leans more towards the deranged from the get-go, leaving little room for the tragic character arc seen in the novel. Wendy, as portrayed by Shelley Duvall, is reduced to a more passive, victimized role compared to her more dynamic character in the book.
In the end, the decision between the book and the movie version of “The Shining” boils down to personal preference. The book provides a more intimate and psychological exploration of horror, grounded in well-developed characters and themes. The movie, on the other hand, is a visual and auditory masterpiece that offers an unforgettable cinematic experience. Both are different interpretations of the same story, each powerful in its own unique way. Whether one prefers one over the other depends largely on their preference for a more character-driven narrative emotional depth found in King’s writing or a visually-driven, atmospheric experience via the visceral, haunting imagery of Kubrick’s film. Both versions of “The Shining” offer unique interpretations of the same chilling tale, which shows the diverse ways in which a story can be told.