THE SHINING Ending Explained: The Final Shot's TRUE Meaning

[@heavyspoilers]

Let us know your thoughts on the final scene. If you enjoyed this video then please subscribe to the channel kzbin.info/door/q3hT5JPPKy87JGbDls_5BQ *Check out our BEST new videos below* *Oppenheimer Ending Explained* - kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXvKZYR9is2HqLc *The Marvels Trailer* - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4XXhWWwe69pqsk *Secret Invasion Episode 5* - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqClomWOjsqrh7c *Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning* - kzbin.info/www/bejne/epfadXt7obGXidk *The Witcher Season 3* - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpK6hoWCet2CqtU *Dune Part 2 Trailer* - kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5yri4qZh893qbs

[@stevenmazey3976]

Are you going to do Dr sleep?

[@timcogan82]

Please do more Kubrick stuff. I would love to see a take on Eyes Wide Shut.

[@paulchomiak1318]

You missed the two Jacks in the lobby in the beginning.. The one Jack and his family being shown the Hotel, and the red jacket (future) Jack in the background cleaning a piece of furniture.. It's when Wendy says "I've never seen anything like this before." He is behind her in the shot.. Watch an HD version of the movie, it's the same Red Jacket Jack takes to wearing when he is replaced by the ghost/entity. There is a book about the film and what Kubrick hid in the film, like the foreshadowing of the bat in the lobby, etc.. Cheers..

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

This is Zen . To catch with zen, reduce logic and search for patterns to follow

[@bobbylee_]

@@paulchomiak1318The two Jack’s is a theory. A subjective interpretation. It’s not established fact.

[@phantom_troubadour]

“You were always the caretaker” is the hotel speaking to Jack’s internal evil, because “evil” has always been the caretaker. Once Jack accepts this subtle proposition, the deed is done.

[@geraldthebusdriver3491]

That’s just so scary to think about that adding on to that Once he became “caretaker” the hotel just swallowed him slowly and patiently like a cunning and sly animal and at the end it succeeded

[@e8iMm7KE999]

That possibly explains why the names of Grady didn't exactly match. Evil tricks you into thinking that you have no choice and that you have to give in. Kubrick giving names that don't exactly match indicates that Jack actually had a free will to reject becoming the care taker.

[@Dr.Frankensteen]

Just made a similar comment. Evil always reincarnates itself and isn't beholden to society. Society can keep us reigned in. This is why the date "July 4th" is important. The year is just a smoke screen, evil is independent of social responsibility. When evil takes over, we are "free" in a way because we no longer curb our urges.

[@hermanhale9258]

The twins wanted Danny to be the new caretaker.

[@the80sfanatic13]

You just gave me goosebumps. And it also explains a lot.

[@DuwayneMurrelldebajanclasher]

As for the photo at the end I always just saw it as after the overlook hotel claims a soul it adds it to the photo. Hence why Jack appears in it at the end. I do not think it is more complicated as that

[@APerson4889-g5f]

Could be - but the ghost of Grady, the previous caretaker, says Jack was "always" the caretaker. Of course, that could just be a figment of his warped mind telling himself that.

[@bryede]

@@APerson4889-g5f Unless the 'caretaker' is viewed as a spiritual character unto itself. So, perhaps he's not talking directly to Jack with that reference.

[@darthbigred22]

@@APerson4889-g5f OK western history past Constantine 101: In a story when someone says they'd sell their G-ding for a glass of beer and suddenly out of no where a bar tender appears you have a what's called "Faustian bargain". The bar tender is likely the Devil or an agent of the forces of Hell. This isn't that complicated and the addition to the photo is Hell bragging them claimed another soul as the mansion is haunted with evil anyways. Not complicated even if King doesn't believe he still knows the tropes.

[@buzzsawgr81]

this is pretty much how I've always seen it as well.

[@buzzsawgr81]

@@APerson4889-g5f it could just be the hotel telling jack stuff like that to further break down his mind so he can be more easily controlled.

[@thegasmaskguy2302]

I always thought that the ending with the picture meant that Jack Torrents had become fully consumed by the hotel, and everybody else in the photo were also consumed by the hotel. That the “caretaker” and his family were sacrifices to something far more ancient than the hotel too. Idk that was my thought when I was a little kid.

[@nancytestani1470]

Yep, me tooo..and I will stick to it…

[@jenniferstewart6019]

Me too

[@jdredd8152]

That explanation works for me.

[@paranoyd70]

That's my conclusion as well. Also, I believe that it was also the Director's (Stanley Kubrick) message that people will do evil things just to be part of the club. We see this all the time. And Kubrick was a firm believer that there were (are) evil people that belong to evil clubs. This theme is hinted at in numerous of his films, especially the movie, "Eyes Wide Shut." Also, the pose of Jack in the hotel picture is very similar to an old painting of a demon (devil) which is posed with the right hand raised & the left hand pointing down, just like the photo in the movie.

[@sharonrojas9569]

I believe that is exactly what the photo at the end of the movie suggested. The Overlook was clearly a soul trap.

[@daisyblossomflowerchild9702]

Nicholson's performance terrified me in this movie. He really sold the fall into madness so perfectly. His facial expression at the end in the hedge maze, frozen with a maniacal grin, is nightmare fuel. Really nice exploration of not only the ending but points throughout the movie leading to the final shot. Cheers! :)

[@anthonydileonardo8156]

the only time I thought Nicholson was truly scary was when he stalked Wendy up the stairs screaming about his obligations to his employers and the hotel....no wicked grin.....just a man on the edge losing it quickly

[@asadabdulqaabir4006]

Fall into madness? 🤣🤣🤣 He was totally in wako mode since the job interview.

[@deanfowles3707]

I dunno, Jack has a funny face, perfect for the joker. He isn’t scary though. Grady, now that’s a scary and intimidating face.

[@BlackangelKatakuri]

Always makes me laugh

[@MiniGamerDusty]

The ending of the Shining clicked for me when I watched Dr. Sleep and the name, "True Knot" was mentioned. Jack isn't in a loop, but a knot. Lots of things are repeated, but like a knot that gets tight, things get worse as they are repeated. Jack typing, the twins, reenacting the ax murders, the carpet pattern... even Danny's trike ride, it's all a knot wrapping around itself, ultimately choking itself. The harder you fight, the tighter the knot gets.

[@A330-9]

You just changed my perception of dr sleep

[@timandshannon03]

Same

[@franbrooks605]

@@MiniGamerDusty great imagery!

[@Snowman-556]

A coworker wore a shirt with that same pattern and color scheme once, I commented about it. She didn’t know what the hell I was talking about.lol😊

[@dominikrust6294]

I always thought that there is an evil presence that always consumes the caretaker and always makes them kill their families (this entity has always been the caretaker). And after they die their ghost becomes part of the hotel and is destined to haunt future caretakers. Jack would be a part of the ball for a future caretaker just like Grady was for him.

[@TA-vi6tn]

Exactly what I think. the hotel was solidifying the fact that Jack was gone and he was the care taker now. The photo is proof of his absorption and the power the evil has to come through any logic like it's able to break our rules of time. It's proof that he was mad bc it doesn't have the need to make sense it does how it pleases

[@sharonrojas9569]

The hotel itself was the EVIL presence to me.

[@Captain-Cosmo]

When Jack "attends" the party in the ballroom, it is the 1920s, just as in the photo. Jack must have stared into those photos many times, imagining himself there, among the rich and happy. Of course, Jack is delusional. If we presume that he's "dancing" to the songs of an orchestra that isn't really there (we're seeing what he's seeing, NOT was is real), then it's logical that what we're seeing in the photo isn't literal, either, but just what he must have always imagined. After all, would the caretaker of the hotel really be front and center in a black tie at the 4th of July ball? No. Jack loved the opulence of the Overlook, the feeling of being important, and the freedom from having to take care of his wife and his child. Wendy brought in breakfast in bed, just like room service. His credit was good. He was somebody. Anything that sought to take away his fantasy was a threat. The "real ghosts" were in his own head.

[@dominikrust6294]

@@Captain-Cosmo nice interpretation. I never looked at it that way.

[@ZoiusGM]

​@@Captain-Cosmo'After all...Ball?' Ehm..yes? Why not..?

[@jimpatrick5918]

Simpler theory: Jack is in the photo because he is now one of the ghosts of The Overlook. All the ghosts there are outside of Time as we know it. To them Jack has always been there. To them he has always been the caretaker.

[@scottmcguirk4848]

I was thinking the same. With the theory time is an illusion and the future can effect the past, it kind of works. Even the narrator’s view of reincarnation works as ripples of the same person. Basically outside of time effecting 1970s and 1920s. It’s depressing because past, present, future the guy is doomed with a predetermined fate. Nature allows change so that would be the hope outside of the horror movie.

[@Captain-Cosmo]

Even simpler: we're only seeing the photo as Jack must have imagined many times. Off-season caretakers has little place being front and center and black tie July 4 ballroom parties among the super wealthy.

[@kianim8344]

@@Captain-Cosmoplease don’t turn it into another unbearable “Lost” theory making it the everything the protagonist’s imagination

[@Captain-Cosmo]

@@kianim8344 You're missing the very point of the story: whether the ghosts were real or not, Jack was definitely going insane and was delusional. Consider, too, that (among other things) Wendy - whom is never considered to have the ability to "shine" - experiences a vision of the "bloody elevators", which we, the audience knows never to actually occur. This, alone, should cause us not to trust what we see. And how is that "Lloyd" and all of the alcohol just suddenly disappears when Wendy runs into the Gold Room without alarming Jack? I think Kubrick followed one simple rule: Don't show anything happening that cannot be explained more easily by non-supernatural means. All four characters - Jack, Wendy, Danny, and Halloran - are each predisposed to irrational thinking: Jack has delusions of grandeur and importance, Wendy harbors delusions that Jack is not the abuser that he really is, Danny copes with the abuse by inventing "Tony", the "little boy who lives in my mouth", and Halloran holds the idea that his grandmother taught him as a little boy that he could communicate with psychic powers. Their respective delusions are also evident: Jack is not really rich and important, Wendy is clearly in denial, Danny has no special powers, and Halloran seems only capable of correctly guessing that a little boy might want ice cream without any further evidence of being able to "talk without opening [his] mouth". Does the reality that there are no supernatural occurrences in the Overlook (film version) diminish it's effectiveness as a film? No. Indeed, it may even be more terrifying when one experiences delusional horrors without know that they are, in fact, delusions. The comparison to "Lost" is, which came out considerably after Kubrick's film, is without merit. Viewers were left dissatisfied with what they believed was a poorly executed "post hoc" explanation. (The Star Wars sequels frustratingly demonstrated that Abrams is willing to make up the story as he goes.)

[@Boo675jhggg]

In the book he is going mad but basically he doesn't accept the supernatural, so he fights the world with rationality.

[@jordansmith2647]

the ambiguity of the story is part of the horror, the movie stays true to how older books leave things open to interpretation...great movie

[@vectorfox4782]

Perfectly said

[@yetanotheruser1989]

Yes, the movie seemingly explains so much, yet doesn't truly reveal in closure. It's so open to interpretation, which makes it so unsettling.

[@shawnkalin9337]

I agree. It should stand on its own in a dream-like mystery, high on a snow covered mountain. Never to be unraveled. I think this was Kubrick's intention.

[@dimitardimitrov5736]

I don't understand how can so many people still be confused about the twins and think it's a mistake by Kubrik - there is no mistake. There are two Gradys. The 8you and 10yo are the daughters of Charles Grady, who was the caretaker in the early 1970s. Delbert Grady was from the earlier era 1916/1921 and the twins were his children.

[@Buzza235]

How is Charles and Delbert related

[@krishnataveras8734]

@@Buzza235 Charles is a reincarnation of Delbert

[@Buzza235]

@@krishnataveras8734 Gotcha

[@JackDullBoy5]

@@krishnataveras8734so does that mean Jack becomes ‘Jack Grady’? …… and why doesn’t Jack have twins? 🤔 Surly Jack is breaking an obvious pattern if your ‘theory’ is right.

[@Maki-00]

When Jack goes for the job, he is told by the manager that his PREDECESSOR killed his family, so that should make it obvious that Grady from the 1920s could not be the same person.

[@MartaWomack]

All I know is this movie scared the crap outta me! I mean, 2 words, Jack Nicholson. A genius.

[@kelleymaxwell3875]

Absolutely loved Jack in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The Shining....made me afraid/hate drunks.

[@xenonbolty8507]

In the Dark Tower, King has characters that seem timeless. Like Danny who appears in more than one time line. Also, Roland who is seemingly not even bound by time. My theory is that the hotel can warp time and space. People at different places all at the same time.

[@kmiller0402]

Movie wasn’t based on the novel

[@MomMom4Cubs]

I think the Overlook is a level of the Tower, a place for the Man in Black to hide or a prestidigitation (of sorts) of the Crimson King, to misdirect Roland (or us).

[@Idontcaremuch1000]

I think the Overlook, Room 1408, and Rose Red Mansion are all feed off of the life force of those unfortunate enough to encounter them.

[@watermelonlalala]

Stanley Kubrick can warp time and space.

[@Boo675jhggg]

This is just one way that Stephen King plays with us, though. We don't really know if time is linear. Time could go in circles or there could be alternative dimensions. A particle can be in two places at the same time.😅

[@Captain-Cosmo]

If we stay solely within the film - that is, we don't rely upon the books, behind the scenes statements, or the sequel film - then I think this film gives us everything we need to solve the mystery of the Overlook Hotel, whether intentional (by the director or the writer) or not. Our biggest clue is also the most "overlooked" (no pun): the ocean of blood at the elevators. It's really quite simple: despite what must be thousands of gallons of blood, there is no evidence afterwards that it really happened. This tells us that what we are seeing in THE SHINING is not literal. It's all in the minds of whoever we, the audience, are alongside at any given moment. It's basically each person's own madness, brought about by suggestion, fear, alcohol, or whatever. Did you notice that no two people witness any "ghosts" together? Danny sees the girls when he is alone. Jack sees the bartender, Grady, and the old/young woman when he is alone. Wendy sees the bloody elevators and the man in the bear costume when she is alone. All of them are having delusions, each in their own way. This also explains the inconsistencies, such as Grady's different names, the ages of the girls, the hedge maze, and the geography of the Overlook. We are seeing their perceptions, not the realities. When Jack arrives at the party in the ball room, it's the 1920s, not the 1980s. Why? Because that is what the photos on the wall show. (Note, too, that Wendy has been characterized by Jack early on as a "horror film buff", making her susceptible to the suggestion of ghosts.) The same can be true for the ending photograph. Jack has struggled to be what he wants to be: a financially successful writer. He loves the Overlook. He feels important there. He's a "real" writer there. His credit is good there. People know his name there. Music, dancing, beautiful women, dress balls. Wendy even serves him breakfast in bed, like "room service" every morning. He even tells Danny how great it would be to stay there "forever". When Wendy threatens his fantasy, he has to stop her. By destroying the radio. By disabling the snow cat. And, ultimately, by trying to kill her and Danny. (The conversation in the bathroom is just his insane way of rationalizing to himself what must be done.) Under this interpretation, the photo at the end is, also, not to be taken literally. We're just seeing what Jack must have fantasized about endlessly: being the life of the party among the rich and happy guests of the Overlook Hotel. I realize that this interpretation may seem more grounded that the more "supernatural"-based interpretations. And it may or may not be entirely what was envisioned by its makers. BUT, it doesn't require any more information that what is available in the film itself. And, in a real world, it's the more likely explanation.

[@hellomate2405]

Brilliantly written. This is one of the most probable explanations. Jack's mental deteriorating in the hotel. I can understand why he like it there. No worries of bills or work and lots of time, it's like from the first frame you know he's like a child trapped in a man's body.

[@anirose6807]

So many theories about the meaning of this movie and so few of them talk about Jack as a writer, his ego, his history being an alcoholic, his evidence of abuse (Wendy mentions him drunkenly dislocating his son’s shoulder in the beginning of the movie) and we see his descent into madness paralleled by his descent into alcoholism, throwing himself “into his work” so to speak, throwing himself rather into meaningless, ridiculous pursuits to make himself seem important (like you mentioned, his desire to feel like he is the life of the party, an artist, a creative, etc.) when in reality, he is destroying those around him due to his own internal feelings of disappointment in himself. He feels emasculated by his wife and he takes this out on her by belittling her. What better to encapsulate this feeling of self hatred than isolation. This is not just a film about the supernatural madness of an insane man killing his family. Kubrick touches on how financial burdens, masculinity, mental illness, alcoholism, abuse, and generational trauma are all interlinked. The man was arguably a difficultperson, but as a director he was so ahead of his time. You nailed perfectly what I feel like so many fail to see from the film and illuminated to me another side of the film I didn’t see before!!

[@danielle1103]

@@anirose6807after watching the movie today, I couldn’t agree more with you!! I’m really glad you mentioned intergenerational trauma too. It’s something that is very overlooked, but it’s real. A lot of difficult topics were touched on throughout this movie.

[@danielle1103]

I agree with your explanations!! So often the most simple answer is the actual answer.

[@e8iMm7KE999]

The explanation of the photo is definitely food for thought. I don't know if that what Stanley Kubrick intended, but it is possible explanation. I especially like the idea that Jack wanted to be the center of attention and the life of the party among the rich.

[@tomservo5347]

Also, Jack's pose in the photo is just like Baphomet-pointing up and down. The fact that he walks completely unperturbed into the Gold Room in a seeming time slip tells me he in fact was always there; his essence is just rejoined with itself as he slowly goes mad. We think of time as linear, but what if it's a circle at the Overlook? I also think the cook Hallorann used his 'shining' ability to hold the evil at bay-look what happens when he leaves. Also the way Jack consistently breaks the fourth wall throughout the movie, I think it's Kubrick's way of showing the view of whatever living entity controls the Overlook that Jack sees because of his ability.

[@JimmyGray-ds6gc]

He doesn't break the fourth wall once. What are you talking about? He talks to the hotel but doesn't talk to the audience. Ii don't think you understand the "fourth wall concept. Here's a definition.The fourth wall is a performance convention in which an invisible, imaginary wall separates actors from the audience. While the audience can see through this "wall", the actors act as if they cannot.0 The term originated in the theater, where the four walls enclose the stage while an invisible "fourth wall" is left out for the sake of the viewer.2 In movies, TV shows, and plays, the fourth wall is the imaginary plane that marks the "edge" of the onstage action.existence of the audience.1 Breaking the fourth wall often means having a character become aware of their fictional nature.

[@Boo675jhggg]

The Overlook is something that can't be solved by mere people or even logic. When something happens they looks for a rational explanation. In the book it explains that when he attacked the student he blacked out. He couldn't remember it afterwards. Drunk or sober, he can't solve the puzzle.

[@emptor01]

The book felt clearer to me. In the book the hotel was an entity in itself and it needed 'fuel'. That fuel came in the form of people with 'the shine'. Like the kid. The hotel keeps trying to convince Jack to kill his son because the hotel wants his really big supply of psychic fuel. Jack may have had a little but the kid has it in overflow. In the book the hotel explodes because Jack forgot to dump the boiler and he is killed when it explodes.

[@jamybailey]

Ty! This is so helpful! Just watched it for the first time and was confused

[@guibox3]

Yes. The problem with Kubrick's film is that it misrepresents how the hotel and the Shining were connected. You can tell by the comments which people have never read the story because all they talk about is 'Jack descending into madness', as if this was simply a movie about the effects of cabin fever and everything that happened was Jack's fevered imagination. The Overlook possessed Jack because they wanted Danny's shining ability. The movie is a great movie in and of itself but it is a horrible adaptation.

[@StrongSinger]

Yes exactly

[@snowdroog1]

Yeah the book is far simpler to interpret

[@Boo675jhggg]

Yes and so spectacular when the boiler finally explodes. They couldn't replicate that on the silver screen.😅

[@tombrand236]

This is one take - there are sooo many alternative theories about this film though. My take was Kubrick just wanted to make the whole fabric of the setting feel flaky and dreamlike. Like the whole structure of the hotel doesn’t make sense. Love there are so many twists though.

[@rob-v1y]

People analyzing The Shining should watch the movie "Burnt Offerings" (1976). Oliver Reed brings his family (including Betty Davis!) to take care of an old southern mansion with a mysterious, never seen women living in one of the upstairs bedrooms. As the old mansion tries to kill off members of the family one by one (while driving Reed's character nuts) it actually regenerates itself in the process of absorbing the souls of the family members. One great scene has the siding of the house actually falling off, like a snake skin, only to reveal new siding underneath. Instead of a hedge maze or topiary animals, it has a malevolent swimming pool (which actually looks a lot like the one in front of the Stanley Hotel in Colorado). It is pretty obvious Kubrick saw this movie (maybe even King did since the book predates his writing of The Shining) and kind of just combined it with the King novel whether consciously or not to create The Shining..who can say? ..but the similarities are so glaringly obvious, it should be mentioned whenever talking about The movie The Shining. Also, that pose Jack is adopting in the picture is Baphomet. ..and the guy in the original picture is an exact likeness of the actor Joel Grey except years before Grey was born. Which is pretty creepy when you think about it - realizing Kubrick would have noticed it as well.

[@davidcavazos2270]

That is a good flick! I need to rewatch it :)

[@sharonroller8849]

I loved that movie, ending scared me, Karen Black was great 😊

[@rdred8693]

Great movie!

[@mybiz7526]

Stephen King saw Burnt Offerings and then wrote the Shining

[@shaka994]

Great film! The book is good, too.

[@chaindead]

This whole video and that interpretation is just wrong. It's far more complicated, in short: Jack is Ken, Wendy is Barbie, hotel is an Oppenheimer.

[@jonnycashh3876]

Lmaoo

[@alexmak97]

Aahahahh. BEST.COMMENT.EVER!

[@Alucard_Q_Kazoo]

I have become Jack, destroyer of doors

[@Yesno-jr7ou]

Yes that’s just stating the obvious ..way to shallow of a comment for a deep director..lol

[@sowder]

MIND BLOWN...

[@DaNinja60]

Still a timeless classic. So many interpretations but always good ones.

[@alexanderdumas-]

Every time someone with the Shining sees an illusion it’s usually in a room full of mirrors which Kubric puts at such angle their reflection is just out of angle. The one time it’s shown is the woman in the room whose reflection he looks directly at and it breaks the illusion. Even Tony writes redrum which is murder mirrored. It’s almost as if whatever entities at work operate in a mirror dimension.

[@roadkillz78]

Excellent hypothesis, but the twins were not around any mirrors. Kubrick's deals with the mirrors was surmised that it was Jack, in his madness, talking to himself. I agree with the theory that Kubrick's story was not about ghosts or any entities, it was about a family going mad together. The hotel could have somehow "enhanced" their madness if Kubrick intended for the Shining aspect to be real.

[@beepboopboopbeep3]

@roadkillz78 Agreed, couldn't have said it better myself!

[@alexanderdumas-]

@@roadkillz78 there are no mirrors with the twins yet the owner who interviews Jack says the girls are 8 and 10 yet they are twins in this scene or…. Mirror images of each other without a mirror. In my first post I should have used the word reflection, and these two girls could’ve seen as that completing the theme

[@kianim8344]

@@alexanderdumas-wow this was really nice and fresh take

[@arkdark5554]

This movie deserves to be given a masterpiece status. The book is also so damn good.

[@johnwatts8346]

it does that have that status, its a mega classic, its kubrick, ffs.

[@arlichar11]

its so close to masterpiece but has many flaws that if minor tweek would be there at that status

[@johnwatts8346]

@@arlichar11 wrong.

[@arlichar11]

​@@johnwatts8346 why? im nearly obsessed with it i like it so much, but even for me its flawed in more than one way.. if u take it on face value its obviously well done , but it just has few things that would have made it even better..

[@johnwatts8346]

@@arlichar11 youre perfectly welcome to your opinion, but i disagree, i dont believe its flawed at all,

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Nicholson is such a great and terrifying actor.

[@cosmicwintermoon]

It's difficult for me to completely seperate King's book and Kubrick's movie when forming my interpretation of the story. I saw the movie first, so that may be part of why. I agree that I feel the hotel used Jack to get to Danny. Danny's powers were so strong, and the hotel wanted that. Jack was more easily manipulated, with his limited ability. I think the hotel was definitely haunted, but had no real power (as Halloran noted) until Danny's presence. I feel the hotel hooked Jack through the scrapbooks and newspaper clippings in the boiler room (in the book, not the movie), causing Jack to become obsessed with the hotel and its history, to lure him in to do its bidding. And used Jack's ego and alcoholism to make him believe he was the important one, and to get him to do the hotel's bidding. Skipping over a lot more I'd like to say, I never felt that Jack being in the photograph at the end had anything to do with reincarnation, or Jack having always been there. I believe it was yet another manifestation by the hotel... and that Grady had most likely "always been there" and appeared in that photo before, and the next caretaker would take that spot in the future.

[@lorrainemarino]

It might be an interesting story to hear what happened to the 1921 version of Jack if you go with the reincarnation theory. It seems strange that both Delbert and Charles Grady both seemingly became violent and killed their families and we only heard about one of them from Ullman - and not the one that haunted Danny?

[@JackDullBoy5]

Yeh that’s exactly what I thought! It’s not a theory I go with but after reading another one of the comments he thought that each Grady was a reincarnation of the other and that they both existed at different times at the hotel and both killed their family but like you say only one was mentioned 🤔

[@artmosley3337]

I just said this could have been a series of movies… bet you a Dollar that Taylor Sheridan (wrote Yellowstone, 1883, 1923… this could have been the Best scary movies ever

[@JackDullBoy5]

@@artmosley3337 definitely 👌🏼 Even the history of the ‘Overlook Hotel’ would be a great film on its own.

[@Captain-Cosmo]

What if the photo is only showing us what Jack himself must have always longed for during the many moments he must have stared into those photos wishing himself to be the life of the party, rich and happy? This would support the very simple theory that nothing in the film is as it appears; the family each experiences their own delusions, and we're just along for the ride. By the way: why would the caretaker of the hotel be dressed in black tie and the literal front and center of the party? We can't trust the delusions of an overwrought alcoholic who hates his own life and longs to like among the rich and happy "forever".

[@JackDullBoy5]

@@Captain-Cosmo it’s crazy you say that about him being front and centre of the picture but only being the caretaker, thought exactly the same, he’d be more likely away sweeping up confetti 😂 and I always wondered why Delbert Grady was dressed as a butler and serving drinks if he was the caretaker too. You’re right nothing as it seems and as much is there’s a lot of hidden imagery and fantastic theories about the film they are completely subjective and detective work into what Kubrick was trying to say when in reality it’s more about what viewer takes from it. The fact that we all still obsess over the film and it’s meaning is testament to how great it actually is.

[@roadkillz78]

I can't help but wonder what Jack would have done had he manage to find his way back out the maze before freezing to death. Would he have "offed" himself? I imagine the hotel would drive him to the point in doing so for his "failures". Additionally, he'd probably realize he'd go to prison, hence, being separated from the hotel for the rest of his life which his only recourse to stay with the hotel forever would be to perish in it.

[@Awaywrdson]

I don't know about interpretations of the movie, I just know it was Excellent !! And the end photo, Could Jack look any "Creepier" than that ? I doubt it !! Great Photo !! 👍

[@leoinsf]

The strength of "The Shining" is the fact that Stanley Kubrick left everything out of the movie that would distract from the simple breakdown of the family. One of the problems I have with the follow-up movie is too many details that clutter up the fear and anguish that the Overlook presents to all those who come to it. What we see in the original movie is the total breakdown of the family and this focus slowly becomes so terrifying that we stop trying to predict where the movie is going! Stanley has his audience completely "in his hands!"

[@TA-vi6tn]

I always thought of it like this: the hotel tells him he was always the caretaker as if to say and solidify that he is not jack. That's part of the hotel making him lose himself and go crazy. He was the evil spirit entirely and was consumed already. The photo always made me feel that it was not supposed to make sense intentionally just to let us know that the power of this evil can break any rule of logic and do whatever it pleases and make it's own truth. I also feel we were supposed to summize the photo was of all souls who were absorbed and so not just a group who was there at one time for one party.

[@clintwestwood1895]

Very cool bro, thanks for putting this together for us all.

[@quietlightning4063]

Maybe Jack’s reincarnation is opposed to the general flow of time and energy as we know it. I always felt that Jack was looking at the potential of an escape into a more interesting and exciting world where he could get away with things because he had power. Jack basically sold his soul for a seemingly better life..

[@MarkThatNigga]

His Reincarnation is when he died and came back as a ghost stuck in the hotel.

[@andrewbrendan1579]

Fascinating ideas and observations in both this video and in the comments. I love discussions about "The Shining". It sounds reasonable to me that there is a pattern of Gradys committing murders at the Overlook. I can see how a place such as the Overlook would have a high turnover of staff and that even a murder or murders could be forgotten. I used to work in a university building that had a number of suicides and even murders take place there, but how many people even know of it now? Someone died in the apartment next to me and in another apartment a few doors down, but I've never mentioned it to succeeding neighbors as there was no point in doing so. In my own apartment something that may be blood has come up through the carpet and there are specks on the bathroom wall that I think may be the protein from blood that a new layer of paint couldn't conceal. Even with Stanley Kubrick involved this may not have any special or symbolic meaning, but the Gold Room bears a strong resemblance to the Club Leviathan which was the nightclub aboard the ocean liner Leviathan that sailed in the 1920's and 1930's. The liner started out in 1914 as the Vaderland under the German flag, was seized by the U.S. in 1917 and became the troopship Leviathan. After the war the ship was kept by the U.S. and turned back into a passenger liner still having the name Leviathan. One of the ornate, old-fashioned pre-war public rooms in First Class became sleek, modern Club Leviathan. I'd love to know if Stanley Kubrick ever saw the seagoing nightclub and used it as the basis for room in the Overlook Hotel. It's possible New York-born Stanley Kubrick had been aboard the Leviathan when it was in New York during his early years or that he had seen images of the nightclub.

[@sage1682]

You Overlooked that it was all told to you in the beginning, Ullman glosses over the fact the hotel was built on burial grounds and that the tribe wasn't happy. Only to get solemn about the ax murders. Clueing US in that we as a society are blinded to the dead elephant in the room even as it rots until it festers. Forcing people to notice it and consuming them. Hinting with dripping blood in the kitchen next to the 'Keep this area clean' sign Showing with the vision of so much blood spilling out of the elevator. How about some eye scream doc?

[@alexanderdumas-]

The name of the hotel is the Overlook, referencing the view of the mountains, but it also hints at what we are not seeing. Or actively looking past. Like Jacks Demons. His and his sons abilities. The danger of the hotel. And ironically even the name of the hotel. I love horror books and films and this one TERRIFIED ME

[@AbbeyRoad52]

I think it’s some form of reincarnation. The two Grady’s Charles and Delbert, suggest that multiple people killed their families in similar fashion there. Delbert said “Jack has always been the caretaker” suggesting that he’s always been there. Jack tells Lloyd at the bar “I always like ya” suggesting he’s met Lloyd before and like him for many years. Jack was a former caretaker and is in this revolving cycle of living his life and bringing his family to the hotel only to murder them. It’s like a quasi-purgatory Jack is forever in, his “job” is to keep bring souls to hotel to collect. The hotel is built in Native American land, a cemetery actually, so I’m thinking that the spirits of the Natives buried there and doing this, maybe as a sort of “payback” for building on their land.

[@RTCMAHL]

Always liked how Jack stared down every woman he saw in the hotel during the tours. No ones ever talked about that as far as I can tell.

[@JackDullBoy5]

What, that he was a ladies man!?….that’s just Jack Nicholson breaking character 😂

[@sarahcahlik0u8me]

Also, when Jack is waiting for the interview, the magazine hes reading is Playgirl..

[@ad6417]

It was probably ad libbed by Nicholson.

[@IAmWBeard]

I always thought those who die at the hotel are trapped at the hotel and appear in the picture

[@dmartig1]

That would be too logical for every Shining theory.

[@trenttaylor6382]

I think you’re right. Once the hotel claims a victim that it possesses it is able to show them in the picture.

[@bobstranzenbach4700]

I like your theory that the hotel can just change the photo like a ghostly photoshop

[@Mr1Alex91]

That’s alot of ppl to have died at one hotel though no?

[@MarkThatNigga]

@@Mr1Alex91that’s why it’s hunted, he was reincarnated as a ghost when he died. It’s very very simple.

[@PrimetimeD]

The Key and Peele skit spoofing this had me rolling.

[@Ghkijb6465]

I remember reading about a theory of Buddhist reincarnation that focused on the soul being more of a "scent" or "perfume" that travels to the next life rather than a fully formed consciousness. I believe it was developed out of the incongruity in Buddhist theory that denied the existence of an external soul, but then said that one was reborn. I wonder if that's what Kubrick was mentioning with the "burnt toast." Like how the smell of burnt toast lingers in the air, that's what his soul is doing.

[@Mr_Case_Time]

I’m glad that someone is finally making a KZbin video about this movie.

[@EvansFanily]

lol look at rob ager

[@madmax6487]

One of the most over analysed films on KZbin. Lol

[@shaka994]

/s?

[@ianj4389]

My assumption was that the photo was of all the people who died or were killed in the hotel. That it retains their souls.

[@slepwick01]

The shining is E.S.P. (telepathy, telekinesis, etc.). Danny has it and so did Dick Hallorann, the cook. Hallorann talks to Danny about his "shine" while they are alone in the kitchen and explains that he and his grandmother used to have entire conversations without speaking a word. Hallorann explains that buildings like the Overlook can also have a type of E.S.P. That certain negative events imprint themselves on the place and it can take on a life of its own (become haunted). We are given information about various murders, massacres, and other negative events that happened at the hotel through the years. At some point the Overlook hotel took on a life of its own and became "aware". It began using the souls of the deceased to haunt the hotel. The hotel wants Danny's E.S.P. To get it, Danny must be killed on the hotel grounds. This is communicated to Jack and ordered by Grady (the dead caretaker's ghost). In my opinion, the photo at the end means that Jack (having died on the grounds and under dark circumstances) is now a permanent guest, and part of the Overlook. Future guests can expect to see his ghost around the premises.

[@PowerUPFantasy]

Nice

[@antonsimmons8519]

This hotel needs to be brought to the attention of the SCP Foundation.

[@Meine.Postma]

The movie stands on it's own. Kubrick rewrote it

[@dimitardimitrov5736]

And thankfully so. King's story is horrible, like most of his stuff.

[@beepboopboopbeep3]

The Kubrick rendition of the story is definitely my favorite

[@jannlewandowski5540]

@TheCrispiestLoaf Mine too!

[@girthatbirth]

@@dimitardimitrov5736wrong

[@steveskipper6473]

Fun fact. The original person in the iconic final photo was a person called Jack Ager.

[@mikespearwood3914]

Does Rob Ager know that??

[@ElGatoBlanco1970]

Rob Agers Shinning Videos are Legendary. To me the Biggest mystery/clue is the larger number of continuity errors. For a film maker like Kubrick who was known for being meticulous, to allow so many, even 1 was unthinkable.

[@SquidwardLSDSquirtingOctopussy]

@@mikespearwood3914 Rob having a conversation with the spirit of Jack Ager. Rob: "What's your name btw?" Jack: "Ager, Sir...Jack Ager" Rob: "Ager?" Jack: "Yes Sir" Rob: "Jack Ager?" Jack: "That's quite alright" Rob: "Mr. Ager...Weren't you the guy who made all those brilliant "The Shining" video essays & analysis?" Jack: "I believe you are mistaken me with someone else Sir" Rob: "Mr. Ager...I know you were the Critical Analysist of The Shining" Jack: "Im sorry to differ with you Sir...but you are the Critical Analysist of "The Shining" Movie...you've always been the best Critical Analysist" Jack: "I should know Sir...because...I've always been a subscriber to your KZbin channel" lol

[@EricJae.]

It’s still my favorite movie 🍿

[@kanecross]

I literally watched this today for the first time, great timing that you brought this video out!

[@franbrooks605]

I am old enough to have seen this movie in the theater. And yes we caught the differences in names and details. But it was a really good movie and i have watched it more times than I want to admit 😅. So glad Stephen King did Dr. Sleep cause I always wondered how Wendy and Danny made out after this experience

[@Lizna-r4k]

You're lucky that you experienced such a movie in the theater ! Must be great

[@hottubrabbits4763]

We've all talked about the geographically impossibility of the window in Ullman's office, but since the inception of KZbin, this is the first time I've noticed that when Jack is on his way to Ullman's office to disable the radio, as he steps into the office and turns on the light, we can CLEARLY see "window" it's a painting in a frame. This couldn't be more obvious. Then as the camera cuts back to follow Jack more closely, it's a real window with curtains again. Both are equally obvious.

[@No1ANTAGON1ST]

I think Jack wasn't as strong with the Shining, so when he drank, it actually brought out his shine, whereas it subdued his son's.

[@magnuskallas]

I always thought the same. It is often told creative people often fall for vice, and are quite capable of killing their own "shine", and torturing people around them. Remember Bukowski's poem "Bluebird"? "There's a bluebird in my heart that... Wants to get out... But I pour whiskey on him and inhale... Cigarette smoke... And the whores and the bartenders"

[@HelenS.739]

This was truly amazing, tomorrow I'll be watching on Tubi, room 237. I've seen this movie movie when in was 15. Later on I had gotten a job at, Bear Mountain Inn. Early in the morning, which it scared the life out of me. Because I was always waiting for Jack to come in the kitchen with an ax. Thank God I move to lunch and dinner shift. Well I just wanted to say is that the hotel is evil, all done to what the did to the native Americans. Which was so wrong. Like in the movie, poltergeist. The idiots move the tombstones but not the graves. No you don't touch anyone graves. There, there to rest, that's it 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@MrPiestro]

Good on Kubrick to relent and pull the film from theaters a mere days after release to change the ending to this, vs the one where it shows Wendy and Danny in a Sidewinder hospital visited by Ulman. The current ending is iconic and will forever stick in viewers minds, while the other is just more standard fare. Though it sounds like Ulman had Jacks tennis ball, the one he was throwing against the Native American tapestry. That said, I really wish we could see it as a deleted scene, but alas Kubrick destroyed it and we only have a couple pictures to show it even existed.

[@seppuku-]

I’ve scoured the internet trying to find someone who saw it in theaters, never had any luck. One day, one day…

[@leonielson7138]

It would have been especially interesting if Wendy's maiden name had been Grady, meaning that Danny was the cross of the two families the Overlook Hotel was 'feeding on'.

[@watermelonlalala]

One boy escaped from Delbert Grady, and Danny is the reincarnation of that boy. I was thinking Delbert's name should have been "Tony". But now that I invented this son, I think Tony isn't Danny's future self, it's his past self, that escaped from the Overlook in the twenties.

[@michaelsj7968]

I mean you can just read the book... it explains everything. Kubrick left out a ton of backstory and lore. In the book, Grady has the same conversation with Jack saying he's always been the caretaker. He's trying to entice Jack to kill Danny so the hotel can absorb his powers in exchange for a high management position in the hotel (afterlife). Grady for example in the book was illiterate and had a speech and drinking problem but his ghost was well educated and well-spoken and he mentions the hotel takes care of you and wipes all memory of the horrific things you've done (Grady killing his family). Kubrick also left out the portion where Jack becomes obsessed with the hotel's history after finding a scrapbook in the basement and reads piles upon piles of old news articles meticulously studying the history which is why he knows about the staff and events. In the book, all decades of the hotel exist at once in the afterlife. The woman in the bathtub died in the 60s for example not the 20s. So seeing Jack on the wall just means the hotel added him to the staff and he coexists with all eras of the hotel's history, he's not the literal reincarnation of the photo. BUT! He didn't kill Danny to hold his end of the deal so I am not sure why he looks to be in charge of the hotel in the photo lol

[@andreweisen3465]

You should make shirts of your face cropped over Jack Nicholson's peaking through the broken door lol

[@TheTenthDoctorandHisTardis]

I agree that there is a reincarnation aspect/time loop to the movie. There’s another video floating around KZbin has a fascinating take on some of the continuity issues being due to the fact that it’s Wendy’s own breakdown playing a part in the movie too. Compelling film and book, though vastly different.

[@Captain-Cosmo]

We know that Kubrick wasn't loyal to the book, so we can probably safely put aside any interpretations of the film as relying upon it. We also know that Kubrick enjoys ambiguity, or even just the appearance of it. If we look ONLY at the film, without outside commentary, there's no reason to find anything supernatural at all. That does not mean, of course, that the "horror" is not real. Horror can be, of course, entirely in one's head. And I suspect that is a safe way of interpreting this film. Jack has struggled with alcohol and not feeling important. He longs to be wealthy and successful, the life of the party. And in the hotel, he is. His credit is good. He name is known. And he is thoroughly delusional, and causes his family to be delusional (to a lessor extent), too. In this context, the end photo is simply part of his delusion. Caretakers don't attend black tie ballroom parties. He is one of them, front and center. Exactly where he wants to be... forever.

[@somegamer7958]

The reason Ullman gets Grady's name, and the ages of the daughters wrong, is because he's dismissive of the events that happened. He's quick to point out that it was his predecessor - not HIM, that hired Grady. When he mentions the daughter's ages you can see that he's not entirely sure he has it right. Kubrick did this because he wants the actions of the characters to make sense. It's preposterous that Ullman hires Jack because of what had JUST happened - and also knowing that Jack was an alcoholic that assaulted a student. This was Kubrick's way of making it more reasonable that Ullman hired Jack in the movie. He was a better judge of character than his predecessor was - he'd never hire a potential murderer. I believe Jack being in the photo wasn't something Kubrick even entirely understood. The line "you've always been the caretaker" is straight out of the book. Strangely, I don't think I've ever seen King get asked about this line. That's the person we should be asking, but I think most people just like to pretend they're read the book. King and Kubrick had a discussion about the book, and it's possible this line came up. Maybe not. King's the only one that would know now. I think Kubrick put Jack in the photo just because of that line, because it was creepy and ominous. I don't actually believe Kubrick had thought it out - exactly how that could be, but did it to leave audiences guessing and debating - as we are now.

[@GavinEllis-p9l]

I loved watching this movie for a second time tonight, love the video, big fan!!! Love your theories on this film!

[@ollieox9181]

Just to be difficult, I wonder: if Jack was just the caretaker - not the hotel manager or Master of Ceremonies - why would he have a prominent place in that final photograph? You'd think he'd be lost in the background. I've seen the Wendy Theory. She's the bad guy. She abused Danny. She's the manipulator. Dubious evidence of it though - doesn't hold water. The theory that makes sense is that Jack shines - he's the one who gave Danny the talent - but Wendy doesn't. So the hotel can affect Jack and Danny but not Wendy. Danny's shine is very powerful but Jack's is not - he is barely aware of it, if at all. That's why the hotel wants Jack to kill Danny. Wendy is an afterthought. Now, if this is true, how is it that Wendy finally does see the dark spirits at the end - the pig man and guy in the bedroom and the bloodied servant - when she cannot shine?

[@Captain-Cosmo]

What does the photo actually depict? Jack at a July 4 black tie party among the super wealthy and happy guests of the Overlook. What does Jack want? Exactly what's in the photo. We don't need supernatural elements for the film to work. We're just seeing in the photo what Jack must imagined for himself many times before. Nothing in the film is exactly as we see. It's all about what is in the minds of the people.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Like many movie enthusiasts, I've been interested in The Shining. I was only 7 years old at the time of the movie's premiere.

[@Shannon_Michelle91]

This is a great summation of the ending. 😊 I’m just wondering, if Wendy was able to see the ballroom skeletons as well as Grady, does that mean she has the Shining too?

[@trenttaylor6382]

Great question! I’ve always wondered about that too. I think it’s just the haunted hotel that brings out all the dead people at the climax of the movie and it’s so powerful that even she can see & sense it momentarily in the end when it’s possessing Jack so intensely. That’s also why she can see the man and the guy and the dog costume in the hotel room performing the sexual act.

[@scottplumer3668]

Yes. In the book Halloran says the moms of those with the shine have a bit of it too.

[@leokimvideo]

A lot of clues on the posters on the wall, Kubrick is always teasing the audience at every opportunity

[@ellafieldipops]

I really enjoy these videos, thanks Paul 😀

[@heavyspoilers]

Thanks so much

[@Kiraiko44]

I really wish everyone would read this book. (going to mention some minor spoilers in this but nothing related to the plot you wouldn't already know if you haven't watched the movie) It adds so much to the hotel's history and character, and Jack's, that the movie just could never really portray without being exposition heavy. I almost view them as different stories now, and IMO the book's is superior. The hotel feels so sinister and like a living entity preying on the Torrances, using Jack as a tool and weapon against the rest of his family through his own repressed Shining and exploiting his trauma to turn him against them. All the while it's actual target is Danny, who's Shine is still bright and untarnished by years of trauma, repression, and alcoholism. It will gladly eat all of them though, just like it's eaten so many others over the years.

[@Kiraiko44]

@@lindsayejoy I basically grew up watching the movie and always loved it, I still do! And I also avoided the book for a long time despite having read quite a few other books by King and really loving them. I had heard the book was very different and was afraid it'd somehow ruin the movie or something. It doesn't, but I can see why King wasn't a fan of that portrayal because it's very very different and really took out a lot of the guts of the story. But the movie is still a cinematic master piece and IMO it's still a very good horror movie, it can be viewed from so many angles like some people think there's nothing supernatural going on and Jack is just crazy and drives Wendy insane too. That's the cool thing about the movie, how ambiguous it is (along with Kubrick's amazing cinematography). But with the book, there's no question about what's going on, King does a great job making you feel like you're the one Overlooking this family as it's hunted by a monster in the mountains.

[@matsujonen]

Everyone forgets that Wendy had she Shine just like Danny and Jack

[@Kiraiko44]

@@matsujonen Doc saying he thinks all moms have a little Shine doesn't mean Wendy has the Shining. It means she has a connection with her son

[@beepboopboopbeep3]

Kubrick's adaptation actually is a whole different story on it's own in a way, King's book is supernatural while Kubrick's film is more of a psychological type horror.

[@jaypendexter4119]

I think the best part of this film is the music and sound effects. Probably my favorite of any horror film. I'd like to watch a piece about that.

[@flackjacket3dits]

The best movies are the ones that leave you wondering, and this movie still has us all pondering possibilities 40 years later. A masterpiece

[@nebusnevermore]

But you didn't mention the note that Jack is holding in his hand in the photo!

[@theterminaldave]

milk eggs spaghetti sauce dish liquid toilet paper axe zucchini tomatoes coffee

[@JackTorrance333]

Nobody ever mentions that detail.

[@anttivirolainen8223]

I personally perceive Stanley Kubrick's The Shining above all as a narrative about how the past, especially the horrors experienced in the past, are always present. Not everyone constantly perceives them, but they are still there. This applies to both nations and individuals. History often influences today's politics as much or even more than the present. The photograph seen at the end symbolizes to me that through his death, Jack became part of the endless chain of ghosts, the chain of horrors, at the Overlook Hotel. The horrors experienced in the past (such as the treatment of Native Americans in the case of the movie) have always been present and are inherently ahistorical. Through his death, Jack became a part of that mass of terrible events that has only grown over time. The timeframe doesn't matter; a certain "cloud of horror" has just covered the hotel from its establishment as well as in the 1920s all the way to the 1970s, or even the 2020s.

[@KathrynsWorldWildfireTracking]

What if the photo represents where Jack is - now? (After death.) He's at the eternal party in the hotel, trapped there with the other spirits. He's experiencing it now, and forever will attend. A person can't go to Hell without damning themselves. He succumbed to the temptation of the drink... Knowing full-well it made him monstrous. He literally sold his soul to the devil for drink, and committed murder. I don't see Jack as a victim at all. It's a case of cosmic justice. He really deserves to be there.

[@BuzzWorld777]

I agree

[@gowtham7231]

You have made me watch the movie again and it didn't disappoint

[@aretnap3653]

I Always Kinda Figured... EveryBody That Was in That Photo Shown at TheEnd of TheFilm, Was EveryBody That Was Doomed to Remain In TheHotel.🤔

[@Falconer22]

Why did you capitalize every word in your sentence? Are you drunk or just not very bright?

[@holstorrsceadus1990]

The guy explaining Grady specifically says "...I think about eight and ten..." which implies that he doesn't have all the details down pat. Kubrick doesn't make mistakes.

[@sharonroller8849]

Jack repeats over and over 😢

[@jh6031]

With regards to Ullman’s missing the ages of the girls, he was only hearing the story second hand either through his predecessor or someone else at the hotel. It seems reasonable that some of the story would get jumbled or have inaccuracies simply because the murder of the previous family took place prior to his arrival at the hotel. Yes, it could be also be intentional on a story level or maybe it was a mistake that was never caught as the film was put together. It’s known that Kubrick was writing and rewriting scenes during filming. That on-the-fly style could easily lead to a small plot hole, no matter how meticulous Kubrick was. Still, a good analysis. Always nice to see content on this amazing film.

[@Mattnoble80]

It is a thrilling film that I have loved since childhood, even my mom was afraid it would give me nightmares but it only made my thoughts bigger.

[@becorations1]

This was King’s least favorite screenplay of any of his books. He wanted it to appear that the hotel drove a man mad, but Jack had just been in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. He worried people would see him as already being crazy and not get the full effect.

[@eddysandland58]

Loving all of these breakdowns Especially as it's about The Shinnig! Amazing details and theories about a Classic in Every Aspect! Cheers HS

[@ArthurShedsJackson]

This is my all-time favorite horror film. The ending is absolute brilliance. Part supernatural, part reality. Jack's insanity is a real possibility in real life where most horror films are steeped in supernatural characters which I find silly, comical and predictable (like the "Exorcist") since there's zero evidence of the supernatural of any kind ever.

[@betsyab121]

I am not sure I buy the reincarnation theory. It is interesting, but my theory is that, as you said, Jack also has the "shining." Maybe fhe hotel emits a kind of pull on people with that talent. The hotel insidiously wears the life force from the caretaker. Persuades the caretakers to kill and add the innocent blood to its lineage. People like Halloran, who have the shining but are good-hearted and kind, can resist the hotel. Even Danny at the end of Dr. Sleep, resisted the pull and sacrificed himself to save Abra, was not bound to the hotel after death because of his good deed. But those that succumb to the evil are bound to the hotel for eternity. It's just a theory!

[@HorrorHermitofHell]

Okay so if the photo is from 1921 and the hotel was finished being built ON TOP OF THE GHOSTS OF THE NATIVE LAND basically, was this July 4th( Independence Day!!) Celebration when the ghosts of the land said " excuse us, we'll be giving you a hefty moral bill for removing the essence and spirits of us." Just had to point it out, not sure if anyone else has the same idea or if that was covered in Doctor Sleep

[@animalsrcute5762]

I absolutely love both of your Shining breakdowns. My husband just got me the box set of BBC's Luther. Originally only got as far as season 2. Now I am starting over with the box set and because of the new movie on Netflix. I would super love to see your take and break down on the show please please please 🙏👏‼️😁🤩

[@ryandonalog1431]

I think there’s a lot of symbolism in the movie and plenty of ambiguity for the viewer to think on as with most Kubrick films but “sometimes a cigar is just a cigar” and I think you’re correct about the absorption theory. When Delbert Grady says to Jack “You’ve ALWAYS been there caretaker here..” listen to the words emphasized and then Jacks reaction as if he’s thoughts of being trapped in this hellish nightmare are now confirmed for both him and the viewers. At the core I felt Jack was a flawed character doomed to commit the same mistakes and a metaphor of domestic abuse and substance abuse due to its cyclical nature. And it just repeats.. hence the final picture almost signaling not only the past but Jack will be back again in some form- That’s the movie version- we all know the book ends different but it does show that Jack was trying to break the cycle, something the Overlook didn’t want.. loved the movie and novel but movie has my heart- great content.. 📺🫡🔥

[@Timmypup]

I don’t think it was ever supposed to make sense and it was a clever manipulation. It was simply a case of Kubrick thinking ‘Wouldn’t it be freaky if, at the end…’ And from that, decades of theory, which will always ultimately arrive at nothing, or everything. You could literally do this with any popular horror movie and let the analysing process commence.

[@heithhuffman7945]

Great video! Here's what I've always thought.... The two Grady comparisons don't add up, because Jacks reincarnation has obviously happened more than twice! But the Charles Grady dying just 10 years earlier would make Jack's character somewhere in his 20s, so rather than reincarnation, perhaps there's some paranormal porthole within the hotel, who simply enjoys picking on people 😆

[@frank_scalise]

Just finished reading "Billy Summers," a portion of which takes place in the mountains of Colorado. The Overlook (and a creepy hedge animal painting) make a cameo. It's really the only supernatural element to what is otherwise a crime novel.

[@Vkiller711]

Thats pretty awesome

[@chegauerke1431]

I just love all the different theories. Makes it great.

[@batgurrl]

Love your analysis and I love this movie even though it just barely represents the actual novel which I read before i saw the movie. Jack was great, but the novel portrayed him as starting normally but hotel drove him crazy or possessed him. In the movie he seemed pretty unhinged to start😏Didn’t Grady tell him he has always been the caretaker there. That’s how I interpreted it. Truly Haunting image, regardless

[@chadgrov]

Kubrick did us all a favour. A portrayal closer to the book would’ve been harder to pull off for all involved AND the fact that from the very start you feel something slightly off about Jack Torrance, this gives an immediate uneasy air about the film. Think if he played it exactly like the book it wouldn’t have been as good at all. If you don’t believe me watch Stephen King’s own attempt to do the Shining on film in 2001. It is embarrassingly bad

[@batgurrl]

@@chadgrov i saw it and it wasn’t directed by anyone well known and it was NETWORK TV, the home of mediocre made for TV movies, for the most part. He produced it, didn’t direct it

[@chadgrov]

@@batgurrl Produced it means two things, financial and actual production of the end product. He likely did both. And it was his idea and his baby. So it falls on his shoulders. point being is that Kubrick made the right call.

[@batgurrl]

@@chadgrov when a picture wins best movie at the Oscars the Producer gets the award and says thank you. Sometimes they invite the director and writer to join them. Some also invite the cast to the stage for the photo op

[@peteywheatstraws4909]

​@@batgurrl Like Harvey Weinstein? Didn't he get a lot of credit for Turentino's films?

[@BraveBob13]

One thing I've wondered about the movie is why all the ghosts seem to be only from that 1920's era. Wasnt the hotel built around 1910 in the story? The Shining has always been my favorite movie ever since it traumatized me at 8 when I probably shouldn't have watched it lmao.

[@Senor0Droolcup]

Absolutely brilliant analysis. Thank you so much for the hard work making this video. Whether the theory is correct or not is immaterial compared to the beauty of the idea.

[@jasonbuilt2last]

Like Brady before him, once jack died there he became a spirit forever stuck in a time loop like Grady. That whole conversation between jack and Grady. “You WERE the caregiver here. I’m sorry to differ with you sir, but you’ve always been the caretaker . See, I’ve always been here” so when jack dies, he becomes tied to the hotel. That was my idea of it

[@SilasBarmon-mw1zd]

I think it means that he's in Hell....like the Hotel is basically hell in disguise and jack appears in the photo after he dies because that's where his soul went

[@pabloa2228]

The song that plays in the background is Midnight and the Stars and you. It’s sung by Al Bowlly. Who coincidentally died during the bombings of WW2 in London. When the bomb went off the door from his apartment slammed into him while he was sleeping killing him instantly. When he was found people said it looked like he just fell asleep and never woke up.

[@nrgao]

Theory time: cobbled together from my own realization and then others online. The movie is actually Kubricks fictionalized critique on Stephen King, his substance dependency and writers block. The film stays loyal to the novel until the miniature maze scene where he visualizes his family inside the maze…. If we remove the assumption of surrealism and frame it as Jack imagining a scene for a book (what he is supposed to be doing while at the hotel) then we are seeing Jack (the author and stand in for King) have his idea for the novel and break through his writers block. After that, we see Jack in his red coat for the first time, who has seemingly had the psychotic break. Instead, it’s Jack, the character, inside the novel that Jack, the author, is writing about himself and his family. Think of it as a new film starting en media res and this is the character intro. Jack the author took the idea from the story of the previous groundskeeper he heard for inspiration , changed his name from Charles to Delbert in the novel he is writing and gives it a happier ending where his family escapes and he dies. This is also a critique on how most ghost stories are optimistic, a direct quote Kubrick made to King that King did not enjoy.

[@jeffreyreeves9854]

Thank you for your commentary.

[@PinkoKane]

My favorite part is where Danny is just standing up in the back seat. No nonsense carseat. Don't wreck and it won't be a problem.

[@damianstarks3338]

Thanks again for this Shining video

[@imwithname843]

I am Shining forever.

[@johnashton4776]

Great video thanks.

[@margaretpalmer6538]

I think the end was perfect……as was the whole movie.

[@erichowry9356]

Great video!

[@heavyspoilers]

thank you

[@ThatBaseballGuy13]

You should go in depth about how the hotel and movie destroyed Shelly Duvall’s life

[@cleigh113]

well, Kubrick was extremely hard on her, that is a fact...

[@dizzletwizzle1836]

I recently found out Kubrick is a Greek playwright enthusiast. I have to rewatch his films because the layers just got thicker for me.

[@firstlast9846]

*In terms of “The Shine” ability* you can see a few characters in Stephen King’s books are alluded to have the same ability.. and low-key in the book “The Mist” the father *appears* to have some odd sixth sense.

[@kodak49]

Yeah, same in the Stand (phenomenal book btw.) It is speculated that those who survived Captain Tripps (the flu pandemic) all have the Shine