Almost forty years since Stanley Kubrick’s iconic adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, The Shining, comes Danny Torrance’s chilling return to the Overlook Hotel. Mike Flanagan’s Doctor Sleep trailer has been released, starring Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting, Star Wars) as the now middle-aged Danny, alongside Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran, and Jacob Tremblay (whose role is still unknown). Unlike the original, the frights appear far more unsettling, like the appearance of a third arm cradling Danny in bed, or a decayed hand grabbing at his face. A fresh set of scares, just in time for Halloween.
It’s well-known that Stephen King isn’t exactly the biggest fan of Stanley Kubrick’s version, but it’s the one the rest of the world is most familiar with. For this reason, Flanagan had to convince the infamous author for Doctor Sleep to be the sequel of the film, not the book. Fortunately, he gave his blessing, resulting in various remade flashbacks to the 1980s’ adaptation, including Danny’s (originally played by Danny Lloyd) first meeting with the twins. More spine-chilling, however, is the close-up of Danny as his head pokes through the same hole in the door Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) teared down while attempting to slaughter his family. Fans of the novels will be happy to hear this film will focus more heavily on “the shining”, or the psychic ability, that Danny possesses.
Although it will stand as a sequel to Kubrick’s film, the plot of Doctor Sleep will follow a similar plot as the books. As seen in the trailer, Danny meets Abra Stone, a young girl who he discovers also lives with “the shining”. She appears outside the Overlook Hotel with Danny, but is also seen being hunted by a cult known as ‘The True Knot’, lead by Rebecca Ferguson (Mission Impossible, The Greatest Showman). The cult feed on children who possess “the shining”, therefore it’s up to Danny to protect her.
Taking the spot every horror film is fighting for, Doctor Sleep will hit cinemas on October 31st worldwide.
Words by Libby Briggs