Doctor Sleep (2019)
Genre: Horror
Duration: 152 minuten / 180 minuten (director's cut)
Country:
United States
Directed by: Mike Flanagan
Stars: Ewan McGregor, Kyliegh Curran and Rebecca Ferguson
IMDb score:
7,3 (244.442)
Releasedate: 30 October 2019
Doctor Sleep plot
"Return to the Overlook."
The story takes place 32 years after the events of 'The Shining'. Danny Torrance is now an adult, but is still haunted by nightmares of the Overlook Hotel. Like his father, he also has anger outbursts and struggles with his alcohol addiction. In search of a better version of himself, he moves to New Hampshire where he bonds with twelve-year-old Abra Stone through his gift. They come into contact with the mysterious group The True Knot.
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Actors and actresses
Danny Torrance
Abra Stone
Rose the Hat
Billy Freeman
Crow Daddy
Snakebite Andi
Apron Annie
Barry the Chunk
Grampa Flick
Silent Sarey
Reviews & comments
FillumGek
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- 8987 messages
- 3410 votes
While seeing Doctor Sleep, the realization slowly set in. The Shining (the movie) is hugely strong by Jack Nicholson who acts as an unhinged maniac in the fantastic Overlook setting. The Shining (the gift) is just a side issue for me. Doctor Sleep largely omits the atmosphere and setting of the original and focuses purely on the gift, and that is really a lot less interesting.
I haven't read any of Stephen King's books so I can't compare them. We see Danny Torrance some forty years later where he still suffers from the aftermath of the Overlook hotel. This atmospheric hotel has been omitted, which means that a large part of the charm of its predecessor has been lost. What we do see are a number of ghostly apparitions, some of which are quite worthwhile with today's techniques. Doctor Sleep is sometimes still quite exciting, but especially in the middle part drags a bit.
Unfortunately, this sequel is a bit too fantasy for me. Those glittering eyes is a bit too much hocus pocus, together with the steam happening. I also found True Knot leader Ferguson unconvincing as a villain. The way in which they were destroyed appealed to me, but the cracking was convincing after which they went up in smoke.
The lock is clearly the best. When the overhead shot comes from the car driving to the Overlook combined with the music: goosebumps. Then you realize that this sequel lacks a lot of body, although such an ode to the superior original is also very nice. The trip through the abandoned hotel, so many recognizable shots and places, wonderful. But this oasis of recognisability and atmosphere cannot hide the fact that the large middle section is not too interesting and regularly takes too long.
Translated from Dutch · View original
merijn82
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- 1933 messages
- 461 votes
So Doctor Sleep, my goodness what a nasty stale movie I thought this was. I'm not familiar with King's books, only The Shining. A film that I enjoy watching every once in a while.
I recently read a discussion here about whether or not this is a sequel. Well, despite the fact that it is portrayed that way, I also understand very well those who see it differently. Most of it is just a completely new story, with (yes) Dan Torrance in the lead role and accompanying gift. Anyway, that posturing with The True Knot and Abra really didn't appeal to me at all. They lost me at the first glowing eyes and puffs of steam. And then it's going to be a long one. Because it seems that these kinds of films can no longer be told in max. 2 hours today. No, I just couldn't take all this seriously with, to be honest, The Shining constantly in the back of my mind.
And then the inevitable return to the Overlook hotel. For many this saves it somewhat I read here, but not for me either. How all this is unbelievably forced into the new story and all references are pulled out of the closet...Mwehhh. That whole Overlook hotel is just the decor, instead of actually having the idea of watching a (successful) sequel.
All in all, I've seen a ton of crap that never gets scary, exciting, or interesting. Can't lose more than 1* on this.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Filmkriebel
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- 10069 messages
- 4710 votes
First of all, it is recommended to have The Shining in your head before you start Doctor Sleep. Otherwise you will miss some of the fun and the references. I watched the 3-hour Director's Cut and it was absolutely worth it, as well as extremely exciting.
Doctor Sleep now follows Danny Torrance who is now an adult and, like his father at the time, has developed a drinking problem, in order to suppress his "shining". His mother never recovered from her trauma and passed away. The tormentors of the Overlook Hotel he has stored in "caskets" in his mind. Cleaned up neatly! Meanwhile, many children in the country are kidnapped by a strange sect, the "True Knot". These events will bring him into contact with the young girl Abra (from Abracadabra?? 
) who possesses a very powerful "shining".
The climax of this film is Chapter Six, which is a delightful tribute (feel free to call it fan service) to The Shining. Henry Thomas as Nicholson lookalike felt a bit strange but at the same time is a very logical addition to Kubrick's film.
The film actually feels completely different, partly due to a story that is closer to the horror film and focuses on the psychological powers of the characters. Kubrick's film portrayed a slow mental decline in one location. I expected it too: I didn't think the cinematography was of such a high level as The Shining, although some scenes are re-enacted with reasonable success. Kubrick's film was of an unprecedented level in that respect.
Highly recommended, which is clearly made with a lot of love by a true fan of The Shining.
Translated from Dutch · View originalPre- and sequels
The Shining
1980
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