I’ve never heard of a sequel coming nearly 40 years after the original (excluding times there have been other installments in between of course). The closest example I can think of is The Color of Money getting made a quarter-century after The Hustler, and some people debate whether that even qualifies as a sequel or just a follow-up with the same character, as the second film focused more on a character not even born at the time of the original.
In this case Danny, the son who has the titular power in the original, has become the main character. He was understandably traumatized by the events of the first movie, especially the actions of his dad, and has led a life rife with hedonism. His “Shining” is still intact though, allowing him to communicate with Halloran – and now with a preteen girl who has the same gift.
Unfortunately there’s a cult that seeks to fatally suck that power out of anyone in whom they detect it, leading Dan and the child on a battle to both save her and kill them. It requires tremendous, ingenious use of their powers, as Rebecca Ferguson’s cult leader is one of the cunning femme fatales ever and has tremendous supernatural power of her own, having stolen so much from her murder victims.
This is a very esoteric thriller but a must if you like supernatural suspense movies or if you’re a huge fan of The Shining. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say the characters find their way back to The Overlook Hotel and that’s super exciting! There are also many flashbacks from the original, usually in quick visions of Dan’s. He does have long conversations with Halloran, however, and there is a prologue featuring Danny and his mother Wendy right after the first movie’s events. I’m amazed at how well they were able to find new actors resembling Scatman Crothers, Danny Lloyd, and Shelley Duvall.
Notice I said “huge fan of The Shining” though. This movie resembles the Netflix miniseries Haunting of Hill House much more than it does the original Shining movie. How appropriate than Henry Thomas, the young version of the dad in that miniseries, plays the vision of Dan’s dad from long ago here. If they were attempting an homage that would explain why they gave the part to someone who bears no resemblance to Jack Nicholson.
The Shining, even though it has many esoteric parts of its own (of which people come up with so many interesting interpretations) is much more accessible than this movie, serving as basically a creepy haunted house film. Thus a casual fan of The Shining won’t necessarily like Doctor Sleep.
If what I just said intrigues you you’ll be happy to know that my subsequent posts in this series include one about the original and one about a documentary dealing with interpretations of the original.
First things first though: I’ll finish my thoughts on Doctor Sleep.
Bottom line: If you like supernatural and introspective, this movie is for you.
Up Next: The original.
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