The Fractal Genius of THE SHINING | A Film That Captures the Expanding Patterns of Reality

The Shining is one of the greatest horror films of all time: not just because it tells a great story, but because it exposes the depths of human life, addressing psychology and alcoholism alongside the mysteries of the supernatural, blurring the lines between family dynamics, class conflict, and metaphysical questions like the nature of time and being. The failure of rationalism fosters a crisis of morality. The nature of evil and innocence are seen in the light of assimilation and the loss of self vs. the individual who acts on his own responsibility. The way we act shapes the way we PERCEIVE the world itself. A man comes to delight in the very things which once horrified him; a family you might encounter in daily life will find themselves reliving history.
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CHAPTERS
00:00
3:51 Telling a Story by Seeing Into the Future
11:16 Father & Son Walk the Same Path
17:19 A Man Becomes a Kipling Poem
27:53 How Desire Changes a Man
38:01 Evil Masks Itself & Throws a Party
48:20 Salvation and Self-Sacrifice
52:36 Suffering Is the Key to Understanding Reality
57:52 The Nature of Evil: Imitation, Assimilation, Incoherence
1:12:54 Innocence: The Power of Becoming Like a Child
1:18:06 Fractal Patterns: The World Is a Story of Imitation

[@Marc-dj5fk]

Whenever a friend comes up to me with their new theory about the shining, I "corrrrect" them.

[@martinandersen3309]

Yeah, you do 🪓

[@edgadalinski7493]

And what about his wife, did she prevent you from doing your DUTY?

[@Wes66-143LakePowellProductions]

Gotta remember to trill those RR's.

[@MrBazzabee]

That's absolutely brilliant. It has thrilled my day.

[@deancreate]

😂

[@midnightreader84]

Shelley Duvall left us on July 11. She was an amazing actress in many films. She was 75 years old. Rest in peace, Shelley.

[@rubendiaz3482]

Thank you

[@MrIanSellers]

Rest in peace Shelley ♥️

[@ZeranZeran]

She was such a sweet woman and an amazing actress. Dr. Phil deserves a serious beatdown for what he did to her.

[@diy_mushroomguy]

Honestly I never understood how she was an actress in the first place. Especially in Hollywood. She wasn't exactly easy on the eyes. That's not at all in line with shallow Hollywood.

[@ZeranZeran]

@@diy_mushroomguy I was born in the 90's and I think she's both beautiful, and an amazing actress. You're just being an ass.

[@madameversiera]

This is a rare film which stays with you forever on a subconscious level.

[@ThinkForYourself1972]

Yes, and often the unconscious foreverness of this film surfaces into the conscious. . .

[@GeorgeSmileyOBE]

All play and no work makes flak a dull joy.

[@edpoe1108]

Or you might say, it stays with you forever and ever and ever. I guess we're all kind of trapped in the Overlook maze.

[@zachvanslyke4341]

It truly does. Kubrick was a genius

[@coconamia]

It stays with you… forever and ever and ever.

[@vinniecasqer840]

The photo is an esoteric idea. The soul loop. Jack is a materialist. He hates an adorable son, a sweet wife and an honorable profession - teacher - because he's after hedonism and glory. His soul is trapped in the physical dimension, where he is doomed to be in for eternity unless he breaks free from the "values" his soul clings to in some lifetime. Why he was always the caretaker. Why he submitted to malevolent spirits of the hotel. Why he couldn't write. He had no substance.

[@apxprdtr_mge]

Fantastic interpretation. You hit the nail on the head.

[@annette2326]

Wow. I'll re-watch the movie.

[@aakkoin]

That sounds like some gnostic garbage philosophy, that our lives, our bodies, our family, nature and reality itself, is all a PRISON, in which we are trapped, and we should "liberate" ourselves by breaking free of all rules and restrictions, smash everything to pieces, subvert everything. It's horrible and wrong.

[@acliffy7939]

Nicely said

[@markrobertson6664]

Love this

[@DE0498]

When I was watching this video my brother walked in and said that Shelly Duvall died today. I was shocked because this was recommended to me. RIP to her and condolences to her family

[@theflipbook1280]

You think this was recommended to you because, idk, Shelly Duval died the same day??

[@ZeranZeran]

@@theflipbook1280 No.

[@MrJoseoz]

I saw THE SHINING in 1980 at 16 years old, im now 60 still obsessed and stuck in the overlook hotel, forever and ever

[@edpoe1108]

Speaking of fractals, I just made essentially the same comment on here.

[@TiltedMarc]

1980? I'm sorry to differ, sir. You've always been here.

[@MrJoseoz]

@@TiltedMarc ty Mr. Grady

[@JerroldGarrison]

And ever….and ever…and ever!

[@jooliagoolia9959]

Me too ‼️ I saw it on opening weekend and had to wait three extra hours in line to see it that night.

[@enriccoc7794]

the real curse of the overlook hotel is the fact that once you make a video about it, nothing you ever do will ever come close in clicks

[@NextWorldVR]

That and Star Trek. My Beyond Antares animation has hundreds of thousands of views. Nothing else I do, even self aware AI Actors, comes even close.

[@feraiivie]

@@NextWorldVRbut the difference is both the those topics (the shining and Star Trek) have mass appeal across generations for views and so mass reach… the self aware AI is so far down the AI rabbit hole only creatives and builders can appreciate it … the public just want dopamine gold. Side note I visited your channel off the back of this comment and was blown away with the in character self aware AI. Contrary to a stupid comment, it is indeed of great value!!! Definitely helpful for me as I had a question about how AI could be leveraged for vlogging channels with such characters. Anyway now subscribed ❤

[@ZeranZeran]

@@NextWorldVR Make a new animation with the same title and just make it completely different halfway through

[@beedalton9675]

Still interesting though..to watch

[@MrJeffrey938]

The competition for the the best analysis of The Shining on KZbin yields some of the most impressive videos I've seen. This is my favorite so far.

[@aakkoin]

Just began watching, but hard to believe anyone could beat Rob Agers analysis' of The Shining and Kubricks other films

[@MrJeffrey938]

@@aakkoin I'm on it! Thanks.

[@aakkoin]

@@MrJeffrey938 You're welcome! "Collative Learning" is his channel/company, not "collective" but "collative"... Incredible stuff, makes Kubrick's films even deeper, they are full of subliminal and symbolic stuff, the man was a true genius.

[@mlsaulnier]

​@@aakkoinRob Ager is always the Shining Master.

[@AndSaveAsManyAsYouCan]

Have you heard of media that is truth streamed?

[@rangerrecon]

I always found it interesting that Jack breaks the 4th wall, albeit very briefly, throughout the movie by looking directly at the camera. For example, during his interview in the hotel manager's office and when he leaves their room after fighting with Wendy. This is Kubrick, so there is zero chance that these looks went unnoticed - they were intentional. I get chills everytime I watch the movie and hear Delbert say, "You've always been the caretaker. I should know, sir. I've always been here". The line is creepy and perplexing as you try to wrap your ahead around what you think is going on.

[@CarloisBuriedAlive]

The fact that if you slow the movie down, he likely stares at the camera in every single scene is terrifying lol

[@davbooms]

Grady says it in the book too

[@i_accept_all_cookies]

It's rare that I'll sit through a video for an hour and a half, but this was extraordinary. I feel like I'm going to have to watch it again to fully absorb everything.

[@jcole139]

It was quite dense and conceptual. I’m with you.

[@brian_b_music]

I enjoyed it as well, so engaging.

[@happinesstan]

An author creates a great story, not when he is unable to think, but when his thinking is unrestricted. That's why the author seeks isolation.

[@jekw23]

I’m of the opinion Kubrick does not have a definitive explanation. He didn’t make a puzzle to solve. But like David Lynch. You Experience it and make your own conclusions and you’re probably right. Everyone has their own interpretation, part of what I love about his movies.

[@fire.walk.with.me.430]

his films are much more about feeling than thinking a lot of the time

[@mikeappleget482]

Kubrick intentionally makes his films ambiguous. But I also believe he has his personal explanations, that he chooses not to reveal -like many of the other great artists in history. I’ve listened to several Kubrick interviews and he always dodges giving definitive answers about his films. But there’s this one rare interview of Kubrick I listened to that was aired on some obscure Japanese radio station and he actually gave clear, definitive answers. He probably thought that no western audiences would ever hear that interview. Lol There was a lot of surprising information in that interview. Like when he mentions that he believes in ESP and as an example he talked about how he’ll just THINK about petting his cat and the cat will instantly get up and move. 😂

[@colelevel2654]

My friends, they didn't care for The Shining at first. One of them even tried to call it boring. But I... corrrected them. And when my wife tried to stop me from doing my duty, I... corrected her.

[@AlanBurge]

You aren’t Correct.

[@Chayliss]

Whole world needs...corrected

[@colelevel2654]

@@AlanBurge ???

[@johnselwitz5362]

I know this is comment is tongue-in-cheek, but anyone who actually does think that The Shining is boring deserves to be….. corrrrected 😈

[@shivalishankersharma1562]

I have consumed the shining content here on youtube at an unhealthy level and yours is by far, one of the bests video essays I have come across. Now I need to go to your channel and binge watch other videos

[@feraiivie]

All his Kubrick videos are amazing. Here for a second watch

[@alexandermendez4653]

Have you watched Collative Learning's videos? Those are my favorite.

[@thedpsemporiumofdrumtracks5648]

​@@feraiivieagreed. The amount of detail Kubrick put into his films fuels some of the best takes by EOTM.

[@brigettekorenek8135]

So it’s not just me? 😂

[@acliffy7939]

​@@alexandermendez4653his vids are enjoyable but have much more of a tinfoil hat vibe

[@bcmelendrez100]

Had to drop whatever video I was watching the second the notif popped up

[@danielrauch643]

Man is consistently leagues beyond the standard of other film analysis channels.

[@edpoe1108]

EOTM, Rob Ager and Jay Dyer are my Go-to for in depth film analysis-they approach the subject in a different way but they're all great.

[@GtheMVP]

Rob Ager is great, but his Shining content has awful audio/terrible mic. The spit and popping drive nuts lol

[@edpoe1108]

@@GtheMVP He should remaster that series and clean up the audio issues. It certainly would be worth it.

[@AmusedChild]

To (somewhat) answer your question of Jack's responsibility: he was vulnerable to the Overlook Hotel because of his bitterness and hatred, which are at the core his self-hatred. But at one time he was vulnerable to marrying, and having a child with, a woman he would later regard with contempt. Even before hurting Danny's arm he made a series of choices he regarded as "settling" for something "inferior" to his arrogant sense of superiority (fed by and feeding on his self-hatred). It's no surprise that he ultimately "settled for " a haunted, hate-filled hotel which emptied him, but he set out on this journey long before hurting Danny's arm by refusing to appreciate what he had and who he truly was.

[@AliceBowie]

Jack was an alcoholic, and even worse, a "dry drunk" white knuckling it. It opened him up to possession, just like in Real Life.

[@happinesstan]

Bullshit! The film reveals nothing to back up your claims. Jack is a writer, therefore he is not "vulnerable" to isolation. Isolation inspires him.

[@AmusedChild]

@@happinesstan Inspires him to write "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"? Right. The subtext in the film is that Jack really isn't a very good writer (or provider) and an addict, but I guess you missed that.

[@happinesstan]

@@AmusedChild That's simply not true. There is nothing that suggests he is a bad writer. Nothing to suggest he is an alcoholic, recovering or not. You've got yourself mixed up wth the book.

[@AmusedChild]

@@happinesstan "There is nothing that suggests he is a bad writer," except for the fact that he doesn't actually write anything, bounces a ball, and with the help of the hotel, drinks. This from a published writer and novelist, junior. If you don't write and publish, you're not a "writer."

[@marcusmiller5443]

The transformation of Siren to Crone symbolizes Jack's fate being sealed.

[@QuadMochaMatti]

Crone's disease?

[@marcusmiller5443]

@@QuadMochaMatti Sure, let's run with it, as Crohn's is spelled differently, so wouldn't offend a legitimate sufferer of.

[@davidhallett8783]

@@marcusmiller5443yeah it would have been much funnier if he d used addison s disease you must not have liked milton berle jack black mel brooks lenny bruce bill burr george carlin jimmy carr jim carrey michael che lenny clarke pat cooper rodney dangerfield nick di paolo tina fey jamie foxx ricky gervais greg giraldo colin jost sam kinison lisa lampanelli denis leary paul lynde jackie mason norm mcdonald dennis miller richard pryor colin quinn don rickles joan rivers sarah silverman damon wayans keenen wayans at all

[@davidhallett8783]

@@QuadMochaMattii split a gut

[@marcusmiller5443]

@@davidhallett8783 Must I not? Justify your silly assertion.

[@jinaaaaa8080]

Nice work! I think the reason that Jack wasn’t angry with the mysterious woman-turned-corpse was he knew this woman from the past. The hotel returned a part of his memories that had been repressed: his past as someone who already had traded his soul with the devil. An alcoholic who literally had lived in the colonialist time. He may actually have known the woman in that hotel, but it is his memory. So there she was, an ugly bloated corpse. Jack was so familiar with the bartender (he seems to have owed a lot of souls to him), the hotel manager told him he was actually an owner(if I remember correctly), and also that his photo is on the wall of the Overlook (and indeed overlooked by all the characters in the film)-- all pointing out that he is something supernatural.

[@Flash-sr8hm]

Only in Kubrick's movie. In King's source material, there is a simple explanation. Everything is less ambiguous but still terrifying in the book.

[@mainelymaintaining]

Here we go! The Shining has always been a favorite of mine. Deeply unsettling in ways you struggle to put your finger on, yet you can't look away. Always use the line "quietly going insane together" when recommending to others. Looking forward to hearing your take!

[@matthewpaul6904]

Kubrick's "The Shining" Cinema's glass onion.

[@TupDigital]

I told you bout the Walrus and me man, you know that we're as close as could be man

[@gregoryleonwatson8631]

Poor Steven King 😢 It's Steve King that gives us The Shine in many short stories and King gives us the Dark One 😮 the notorious Man in Black. 🤔

[@Larkinchance]

You are a good writer... We are headed for hard times. Much of what we are familiar will disappear. Out of that will grow a new fiction. be a part of it.

[@BobanN-gz2gj]

@@Larkinchance Can you eleborate what do you mean by: "we are headed for hard times and much of what we are familiar will disappear." What kind of hard times we are headed for, what will disappear? Thank you

[@QuadMochaMatti]

You created the Doomsday machine and now we can't recall our bombers, thank you for nothing.

[@GasMaskParade]

It's just extremely atmospheric,like even though you can't see it,you can feel the presence of some ancient evil huge and lurking ready to eat souls.And you know that it will win,no matter what.

[@sankturban291]

15:38 what was Wendy supposed to think? Of course she would think that Jack did it. They’re in the middle of nowhere.

[@BubblegumCrash332]

The film that never stops giving.

[@automatan]

Every time that I watch one of your videos, one word always pops into my mind - 'elegant.' Thank you for shinny the light.

[@PedroTorres-z2k]

Danny has the "shinning" because the father was sexually abusing him. It is known as the "key of Solomon" , The creator warns NOT to pass your children through the fire.

[@JWPanimation]

Yep Master K went really dark with this one and EWS but 99.995 of folks will never get the symbolism.

[@PedroTorres-z2k]

@@JWPanimation don't know who Master K is.. Have you been following the Trump psyop, of him having to pay 454 million, but he'd be "pardoned" if he pays 175 million?

[@bigrigJim]

you lost me at "the creator warns....." because that came from someones imagination for sure.

[@rangerrecon]

Regarding the spatial inconsistencies, such as the doors that would go to rooms that can't exist because of the Colorado Lounge, we have to look at how Kubrick looked at cinematography. One actor who worked with Kubrick (who was getting frustrated with doing 60 or 70 takes for a scene like Kubrick was infamous for) commented after finishing a scene that he thought it was a "good" take. Kubrick responded, "Good is nice; interesting is better." Kubrick wanted the symmetry of the opposing doors in the hallway and didn't care that, logically, the rooms couldn't exist. Think about how that hallway would look with doors only on one side. It's boring and lacks symmetry. It isn't 'interesting'.

[@SMtWalkerS]

This is fascinating. I read the book when it first came out, watched the movie, and enjoyed them. Although both scared me, they were merely pieces of entertainment to me. Over the years, listening to various and gradually more complex reviews and theories about "The Shining", I have found it engaging and mind expanding. Your analysis is particularly interesting. I find the quotes from Bonhoeffer to be really on point. Good job.

[@rosameltrozo5889]

21:37 So Kipling was 100% spot on basically

[@anaccount8474]

There's so many ways of interpreting everything in this film. Even Danny's injury he gets in room 237. Maybe it was the crazy woman, maybe it was actually Jack, maybe Danny did it to himself whilst hypnotized by Tony, maybe it was something completely unknown.

[@BobanN-gz2gj]

@@anaccount8474 Maybe it was crazy woman called Wendy.

[@SingingSealRiana]

​​@@BobanN-gz2gjyeah, cause everything bad happening is always the fault of the victimised woman, revolutionary take. You're probably also convinced she killed the former keepers family

[@BobanN-gz2gj]

@@SingingSealRiana My stance has absolutely nothing to do with Wendy's gender. It's you who imply it with no reason whatsoever. I said "MAYBE it was Wendy" because she, herself said "crazy woman" and we know that all three of them Torrances are obviously having mental problems in the world of the movie. And the only woman among them is Wendy, you will agree Lat's remember: the ghost woman in bathtub was not crazy, it was ghost of Mrs Massey who was victim of unrequitted love.

[@gailnorman1133]

​Exactly! Never infer that a crazy woman might possibly be the bad "guy" in a fictional movie. Strong women couldn't deal with the negativity. Always presume perfection because of...vagina. @SingingSealRiana

[@intellectually_lazy]

that's odd; the blood usually gets off on the second floor

[@PickledRed]

Jack uses the phrase "white man's burden" to express his frustrations and grievances, particularly about his family responsibilities and perceived societal pressures. His casual and somewhat mocking use of the phrase contrasts sharply with its historical connotations, underscoring his deteriorating mental state and his growing disconnection from reality and social norms.

[@SingingSealRiana]

He aslso has this hsbbit of seeing himdlself as the victim, asbif he had not messed stuff up to begin with,

[@genburke2656]

Jack looks into camera so frequently that Kubrick could not have wanted it any other way. Anyone that views the film is a ghost. And Jack sees us plainly.

[@animula6908]

For some reason? They left the kid in the game room so he can play instead of be bored with the grown ups. Silly goose.

[@jpkoch427]

Ill be back this weekend to watch this through. I hate that yt sucks at notifying me of this type of content so here is a comment to try to give it a little boost

[@JamiHeart]

Jack was an English Professor who drank to suppress his own shining (Dr Sleep confirms this). He lost his job because he had been drinking and he beat up a student for messing with his car.

[@blairdurant3950]

Danny is possessed by Tony from the "redrum" scene until he runs out of the maze at the end. It's Tony who outwits Jack.

[@littlegreenbicc609]

My theory for this movie is that jack is simply a look at danny's future as an adult, doomed to return to the very hotel his father almost murdered him in, and continuing the legacy by almost doing the same with his own family, an endless cycle of trauma and suffering, and a constant sense of deja vu he shall never figure out, until it is too late. Its all a big infinite loop, perhaps aided by the evil of the hotel , which could be seen as a symbol for america, and all the collective trauma it overlooks, causing them to resurface, eternally. Also explains what grady meant by jack having" always been the caretaker". I think this also explains that final imagee of jack. Its not jack, persay, but that of his father, and then by the end of the movie, it is his, and then the next time you watch the movie, it is danny's, and then his son's ,and then his son's ,and then his, and his, and his, and his, forever, and ever. And ever. Not taking doctor sleep into consideration, that is. Im pretty sure kubrick didnt as well.

[@nycgweed]

Ouch

[@littlegreenbicc609]

@@nycgweed ?

[@MatthewGill-nv4tb]

I'd say you're right. That's what i gathered after I read Kubrick mention it had to be watched simultaneously forward and backwards....... Sure there are people who've done that with the movie and it's visually striking. But I've never heard a good explanation. At the beginning when Danny is freaking out and drooling ...overlayed is the footage from the end/peak where it's like Danny is seeing what's happening. Jack with the axe slowly walking.... which throughout the movie there are scenes where actors were filmed moving backwards. So when the film is reversed they are moving forward. The ability to "shine" gives people that ability. Halloran halfway through realizes and also sees what's about to happen but he's too late. I wouldn't say it's a sad ending because Danny does learn that he can change his fate. Which to me was the end of the movie where he walks backwards in his tracks

[@littlegreenbicc609]

@@MatthewGill-nv4tb i suppose watching the movie in that way is the only way to break the endless cycle. Who knows, its not like we can ask kubrick directly. And not like he would tell us anyways, cuz honestly that would just ruin the fun.

[@MatthewGill-nv4tb]

@littlegreenman609 I get it but Kubrick ACTUALLY DID say that was the only way to watch the movie. It was I believe in a playboy interview

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Are the Twins really evil? They seem impish and creepy, but really, they warn Danny about the Overlook by showing the tragedy of the Grady girls and saying scary things.

[@edpoe1108]

I never got the impression that they were evil, I think they were just lonely and craved Danny's company.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@edpoe1108 But the Twins showed Danny what happened to the Grady girls. Was the elevator blood a warning too? From whom?

[@BobanN-gz2gj]

@@RideAcrossTheRiver The Twins ARE Grady's twins. Blood elevator may easily be blood of native americans on whose cemetary The Overlook hotel was built.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@BobanN-gz2gj Except the Grady children were ages eight and ten.

[@BobanN-gz2gj]

@@RideAcrossTheRiver Except they are not actually twins in the book. Kubrick's Grady sisters are twins only because he wanted to point out duality of everything. Remember mirrors. As above so below. The Twins ABSOLUTELY are Gradys sisters. Who else they could be? They are neither completely good nor completely evil as they tried to burn The Overlook Hotel and end The Overlook bad influence which makes them good. But on the other hand because of their destiny they are destined to stay in The Overlook hotel forever (or at least until the end of the world) and they desperately want/need company. This is why they say to Danny: "come and play with us" but still show him the price for that. Remember doctor saying to Wendy: "kids can scare you to death". Interesting choice of words. What a film. Absolutely the best horror movie of all-time and one of the best 50 movies of all time.

[@BurlapJohnW]

Excellent work Emperor. This wisdom came at a crucial day in this father's life.

[@johnguerrero4546]

I’ve watched tons of videos on The Shining and was still captivated the whole time during this. Thoughtful, interesting, informative, beautifully done.

[@AdamPentz-ct2hn]

I've been to Timberline Lodge so many times, and it feels pretty tiny when you're there. So, it's so creepy for me even when Danny's just riding around the hotel at the beginning. Also, Timberline Lodge as literally at the tree line of a volcanic cone: there is no place at all for a hedge maze - there's barely room for a parking lot!

[@crybabychrononaut]

The Timberline was solely used for external shots... The inside of Timberline was not used at all. A different lodge, as well as soundstages built in London, made the interior of the Overlook.

[@marcusmiller5443]

"Just following Orders." The Order hidden excuse, obfuscated by the double entendre, to create confusion, which leads to easier compliance. Of course Jack follows. He's ALL about the Work, isn't he?

[@TheGreenestG]

In addition to this being amazing, it helped me to process through a crucial, agonizing stage of trauma recovery. Thank you incredibly much.

[@MatthewGill-nv4tb]

Did you know Stanleys dads name was Jacques but went by Jack

[@Marc-dj5fk]

Did you know that the actor who played Jack was also called Jack? Ooooh, spooky 👻😂

[@MatthewGill-nv4tb]

@@Marc-dj5fk hey now.... I just thought it was interesting.... I could have gone full tard and explained the gematria and numerical codes

[@Marc-dj5fk]

@@MatthewGill-nv4tb also the hotel that inspired Stephen king to write the shining was called the STANLEY hotel. Yea, people have names 🤷

[@MatthewGill-nv4tb]

@@Marc-dj5fk I have a hemorrhoid named Marc-dj5fk

[@jakejoseph5534]

Honestly, there’s no way that ain’t the main reason Jack Torrence resonated with Kubrick when he read the book. The film is deeply personal, to the filmmaker as much as to the viewer. Danny = Stanley

[@tamarrajames3590]

Thank you for another brilliant video essay. Kubrick was a rare genius in his work, and it takes a deep mind to venture into the layers and symbolism he carefully put into place with each film he crafted. Nothing in a Kubrick film is there by chance, or without meaning…everything exists to drive the intention of the film on every level of the viewer’s experience. I have seen other essays on the Shining, but none as sharply perceptive as yours, which I can say of your other works on his films. You have a deep understanding of the human psyche, and of the way Kubrick evoked such visceral feelings and responses from both his actors and his audience. Unlike most other Directors, Kubrick didn’t make any forgettable films, he gave each of his works the full breadth of his understanding of human nature, and the conflicting forces that shape and define how a given character will respond to the situation in which they find themselves. Your own perspective as a translator shares much in common with his. Bravo.🖤🇨🇦

[@cellyszn20]

Dare i say that the scene where Wendy accused Jack of beating the son is the best commentary on domestic violence and us not witnessing anything

[@SingingSealRiana]

Given he literally broke his arm befor and nearly beat a student to death and that they are alone up there.... How was she supposed to come to any other conclusion?! The accusation was in no way baseless given his voilent and abusive behavior in the past.

[@cellyszn20]

@@SingingSealRiana eh? What set you off? That is the reality, we don’t witness it and the camera panning away drove the idea home. What are you talking about?

[@Wes66-143LakePowellProductions]

Here's my latest theory on the Shining - It all hinges on Jack's expression after he takes his imaginary drink of Jack Daniels at the bar - and how that expression is an exact mirror of how he looked, dead and frozen in the hedge maze - ok - here it is - None of things depicted in the Shining except for Jack's death actually happened - the things that were depicted were Jack's dying thoughts as he sat up dying in the hedge maze - He wanted to write about all of those things, but ultimately couldn't because he knew they would never get published. He is a frustrated wanna be Faulkner or Hemmingway - a low talent from the lost generation of 20's writers. Here's the final irony - Jack died in the winter of 1921 - after the July 4, 1921 ball - which explains how he appeared in that photo - So, to summarize, an alcoholic wanna be Faulkner/Hemmingway in 1921 imagined that he had a family, which he did not have - he decides that he is not going to leave with everyone else at the end of the season - he ends up staying in the hotel by himself, and descending the rest of the way into insanity, and his dying thoughts have him inventing a family, 50 years in the future and imagining that he is a frustrated writer who wants to kill his family - as part of his unrealized novel. Now all he wants to do is end is own drudgery in the freezing winter air of the Overlook after realizing that even if he wrote his book, it would never be published in the era of the 1920's. Other thoughts - The sound of the heart beating in the movie is the sound Jack hears of his own heart as he is dying - Danny and Wendy are components of Jack's own personality - his inner child and his caring side. When Wendy reads the nonsense that Jack has written in his book - It is actually Jack reading his own book and perceiving the nonsense repetitive sentences - he has actually written the ongoing text of his book, but he sees it as this repetitive nonsense line, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." The backward writing of "murder" as "redrum" is also how Jack perceives the world will see his book - Murder written backwards, representing him killing his own writing career with such a backwards plot as he has created.

[@iggbowmon3171]

You should get out more.

[@Wes66-143LakePowellProductions]

@@iggbowmon3171 If you don't like the theory, just state that you don't like the theory. Personally attacking me because you disagree with me is unacceptable.

[@chadfredrick1519]

I'm diggin you digging. That feller is just mad cause he ain't never had an original thought. He's been getting out too much instead of staying home and thinking once in a while.

[@davidstrom9076]

Fascinating! Does it show you how brilliant Kubrick was? He shows so many possible stories within a movie.

[@Wes66-143LakePowellProductions]

@@davidstrom9076 I agree with you. I think that Kubrick would love so many different visions of his movie. He leaves open many doors just so your imagination can keep on coming back to the movie to hopefully see something new and come away with new interpretations with each viewing.

[@Andy-dh2sv]

Ah, analysis of the Shining. This will be a great watch.

[@johnselwitz5362]

The Shining is the greatest horror movie ever made, the measuring stick that should be used for any other movie that falls into the genre. A true masterpiece

[@crypton4903]

I don’t believe Wendy actually holds anything against Jack about Danny. It is just in Jack’s mind that she does. When she comes to the hasty conclusion it is Jack that must’ve hurt Danny it presses Jack’s button to unknowingly because she soon after runs to Jack telling him that it was someone else that hurt Danny even though it is very very unlikely. When she tells the Doctor about Jack hurting Danny she honestly says what she believes in that it was the alcohol not Jack which shows us the truth of Wendy’s position. When Jack tells Lloyd she never has let it down we see the truth of what only Jack believes. This is the rift between Wendy and Jack that isn’t really shared between them. This wedge only pushes Jack further. This is why Wendy doesn’t understand why Jack is so hostile toward her from interrupting his work, she never sees there is separation between them let alone an ever growing one. Wendy is a dunce. And when Jack tells her there’s no one else in the Hotel and it’s Danny own internal problem Wendy doesn’t fall back on that it must have been Jack that hurt him. This again shows Wendy’s genuineness in not holding anything against Jack. Jack however holds it against her that she holds things against him showing projection from his perspective that he thinks himself to be inept and treats Wendy this way because he can fool her that there aren’t anyone else in the hotel. Not sure that Rudyard Kipling’s poem White Man’s Burden isn’t actually a critique on imperialism. The Shining certainly is about the never ending cycle of imperial bloodshed and is also a critique of it. You can’t call it a racist film because the N-word is used by Mr. Grady.

[@tamarrajames3590]

Jack’s contempt for Wendy is rooted in the fact that SHE was imperceptive enough to settle for him as a life partner. He knows he lacks the things he considers important in a man, and any woman that would accept him is therefore worthy only of contempt. Neither Jack nor Wendy shows the slightest sign of loving each other…he settled for a passive woman who would have him, and she settled for the only man she thought would ever ask for her. Danny is the only thing that holds them together.🖤🇨🇦

[@regisphilbinsscrotum6631]

Always a good day when EOTM drops a vid!

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

As a theologian and movie lover I really appreciated this video!

[@El-Chad]

Hey, love the shout-out to Rob ager. Good job, man!

[@torn-asunder]

This analysis and the film itself is brilliance

[@marcoz5857]

Beautiful video as always. I absolutely love your reviews. Please keep making those. God bless

[@thedpsemporiumofdrumtracks5648]

Another home run breakdown by EOTM. One of the best channels out there that does Kubrick right every time. Phenomenal episode.

[@edcliffe2988]

Kubrik was stated as saying that this film is a story about a family that slowly goes insane up in the mountains. I think that this is true, but what Kubrik does not mention, but is completely plausible, is that this is a story that Jack writes. The Torrence family in the film and the Torrence family in Jack's book are paralleled throughout the film. Some of what we see is happening, and other shots are happening only in Jack's book. We are not informed when Kubrik bounces from one to the other. The discrepancies can easily be chalked up to Jack taking poetic license. The two girls that Ullman tells Jack about were ages 8 and 10. The girls in Jack's book are twins. Charles Grady becomes Delbert Grady. The 10-year-old crime in the film feels more like it's decades old in Jack's book. The typewriter changes colour, The hinges on the storeroom change from one side of the door to the other within the same scene. All kinds of examples.

[@IdwarfRedwoods]

Once again, you are, by far, the best film analyst on youtube

[@marcusmiller5443]

At the base of all human attrocities is lack of mutual human respect. An ego, out of control.

[@ianm2170]

I'm always amazed that the moon landing was in 1969 [I watched it in the middle of the night when I was 11...Patrick Moore, jabbering on, but people talk more about this movie's conspiracy theories than they do about the actual event. What a crazy world

[@doreybain]

I remember when the movie came out. Almost everyone who read the book hated the movie.

[@BobCrabtree-ev4rz]

Have to agree with you there.First time I read the novel,it scared hell out of me.Tried to watch the movie(twice)but only made it in about 20 minutes or so both times cos of the many,many changes.It was almost unrecognisable.I saw clips of random 'scary'scenes(that,of course,do not appear in the book)on tv movie review programs..Danny talking to his finger,elevator full of blood,creepy twins,"..Heeeeere's Jack!"...I'd kind of expect these things in a lower budget horror movie from a number of years of ago..or a satire.And let's not forget Jack Nicholson basically playing Jack Nicholson throughout the entire movie.Anyway..to each their own.If somebody else loved the movie..yeah okay.

[@martinsorenson1055]

I was one of those people. The book was the scariest thing I had ever read (ok, so I was 13 at the time.) It was sheer terror. And then this dull, bizarre facsimile of the book comes out. And I was a fan of Kubrick, too! But I thought he had ventured into an area that he had no clue about. Over the years, I have come to appreciate the movie more. The TV adaptation was awful; unfortunately, that made people think the book was bad, and Kubrick was right in reducing it to a few scenes from the book.

[@joeybeargrooves4ever]

3:05 Who's that coming out from behind Jack as he tours the Gold Room for the first time?

[@edpoe1108]

Well, one thing we know for sure is that it isn't the caretaker. YOU are the caretaker-you've always been the caretaker. I should know, I've always been here...

[@prudencestillwater2648]

I thought there was nothing new I could learn from a deep dive into The Shining, you proved me wrong. Thanks for this academic/psychological perspective, loved it!

[@latindoggy8059]

Masterpiece of a video!

[@QueenBoo919]

This video is a whole analysis in of itself!! Amazing video. Was able to work alongside this vid while being productive.

[@kathym1980]

In terms of intelligence.. we must acknowledge that Jack is on the descent to madness and in this looses his ability to rationalise, that is why Danny was able to do his thing in the maze.. while Jack was solely focused on his intent to kill Danny while Danny is in a fight for his life... it is very clever of Danny maybe he saw it on TV... an earlier reference to the conversation on the way to the overlook regarding cannibalism....

[@anonymous-iy5pd]

Yes, he was watching the road runner at an earlier point in the movie

[@themysteryofbluebirdboulevard]

Forensics deals not in innocence, but guilt

[@audrey1731]

Jack is okay with the woman being there since he thinks the hotel will give him gifts!!

[@johnwatts8346]

it is odd / interesting how the film makes people obsess about it,

[@pennyc11]

Some great observations. I can see the connections to events happening even today. Thanks for sharing more wisdom from Bonhoeffer. He was trying to survive in a world full of unimaginable violence and surreal turns of events. Looking at chaos from the outside, many of us will say, "this is utter madness". How can anyone chose to embrace such a destructive mindset? And yet, mobs of people did just that. Only some chose to escape it. Some felt the need to fight against it. While so many other chose to assimulate it into how they lived their lives. What is very sad is all it really took was a gun. A weapon, a message and a skilled orator to lead so many to act in ways so many of us would choose to fight against. Seeing this patten play over and over again in certain people's lives ...how little effort we have put into life in teaching these simple truths. How easy it is for one to fall into this sort of madness, when we have not given them the tools and resources to be successful in life. Not monetarily successful but morally good. Was Jack so resentful of his family? Or was it that his failure to reach his goals and be successful, overwhelmed him to the point that everything around him reminded him of his failures? Had he succeeded with his writing, would he have gone off of the deep end? As in the case of Germans whose desire for worldly successes, pretty things, grew into plans to take over and take away from those who had what they wanted? It was thievry on an epic scale. It reminds me of people, who are taught if one does this or that, riches, nice things will come to them. That they are entitled to these things. That even finding success at getting them through evil acts is acceptable because they did what others would never do to get there. So they rationalize that their actions are what others have done, which is true for too many, to have what most of us have come to value much less than they do. It is that they have turned off that part of their brain that would make them unhappy with the depravity and cruelty it requires to gain so much in order to feed their desires. They are unable to see any benefit in spreading the wealth because their happiness has been fueled by the collection of many expensive things. This need for satisfaction becomes their obsession. Desperation. Ah, as mentioned, despair can lead us to better choices or to evil madness. Both, only require opportunity, a desire and a plan. Why it is worth our efforts to help as many people as we can to create an exsistence that meets our basic needs. Crazy how the pendalum swings. In one extreme or towards the other one. That we still have so many people, who think that what they are doing is good, working too hard to disrupt what most of us desire most. Harmony. Security and the opportunity to make life enjoyable for us.

[@Generalfund]

9:29 - Notice the Tang, dried powder kool aid...in a freezer? Kubrick put so much in the details here. We are in a Wendy halucination when we see inconsistencies in reality, like Tang in a freezer and light switches that change location...

[@jakejoseph5534]

AKA the misogynistic interpretation

[@ryansmith8782]

That’s not a freezer, it’s dry storage. The meats are in the freezer when he points them out to Wendy.

[@Generalfund]

@@ryansmith8782 You are most correct sir. It is really strange that the hotel has a pantry with a pressure locking refrigerator door. So, I guess what makes the scene noticeable is the Tangs appearance and later removal, as well as the aspects of the refrigerator door changing. Hell, its really is strange that a dry pantry has a pressure locking refrigerator door, instead of a standard locking pantry door - thank you for pointing that out.

[@SFTaYZa]

Muh soggy knees @@jakejoseph5534

[@moorek1967]

Pike's Peak was a discussion between Danny and Jack in the car. Now, at the foot of Pike's Peak is Manitou Springs. Manitou is a spirit that is either good or bad. Gitchee Manitou means Great Spirit and ootche manitou is the bad spirit. 42 people died in the Donner Party. And in 1921, the year the backstory is set in, there was a massive flood at Pueblo. So that would answer two questions of the backstory. Since Jack was in the photo, and Delbert said he had always been there as the caretaker means that whatever it was, it was connected to the Manitou. Overlook also means to be a caretaker and since Jack is so big during the maze scene, he is overlooking it. Overlook also means that if you lost something and you find later it was right there where you looked, you overlooked it. And it also means to pardon a fault. The woman floating in the bathtub....flood victim. The blood coming down the stairs, the flood that killed people. The house is the Manitou that overlooks the entire region.

[@WSTL1]

Thanks...Ullman literally gives Jack the ''thumbs up'' gesture while recounting the the horrific violence that took place in the hotel, smiling while warning him of the dangers of isolation. Jack seems unperturbed. As to reincarnation Danny rides the big wheel...a metaphor for The Wheel of Life.. the cycle of birth and rebirth and existence in samsara? The Hell Realm is depicted as a place partly of fire and partly of ice. In the fiery part of the realm, Hell Beings (Narakas) are subjected to pain and torment. In the icy part, they are frozen. Interpreted psychologically, Hell Beings are recognized by their acute aggression. Fiery Hell Beings are angry and abusive, and they drive away anyone who would befriend or love them. Icy Hell Beings shove others away with their unfeeling coldness. Then, in the torment of their isolation, their aggression increasingly turns inward, and they become self-destructive.

[@brettspeeler7166]

One of the best interpretations of The Shining I have seen so far!

[@deanwhite890]

Yes. Totally agree. It’s brilliant.

[@DerekPower]

So ... another unintended musical cue synergy between music, film and former's extramusical context ... So Stanley Kubrick used a lot of works by Krysztof Penderecki. Amongst these, he picked two movements of a larger work: Utrenja II, which itself is based on the Matins service of Pascha. [Utrenja I is the Matins of Holy Saturday or "Christ's funeral"]. One of them is called "Ewangelia". This refers to the Gospel reading that is recited *outside* the chapel doors (actually outside of the building). After a prayer litany, the priest engages in a bit of liturgical drama where he insists to enter for "the King of Glory". He bangs on the door using his cross (and this is the first utterance of the phrase "Christ is Risen!"). This dramatic act illustrates Christ's victory over death. The movement starts with loud percussion followed by a sort of "Sprechstimme"/sung-spoken of the Gospel reading. When do you first hear this? When Wendy sees "REDRUM" in the mirror and then Jack breaks open the outer door of the room with an axe. The second one is called "Kanon Paschy II". This refers to Ode 8 of the Paschal Canon. The canon, in Orthodox hymnography, is a collection of odes using the non-Psalter songs as a starting point. The eight ode uses the "Song of the Three Children", found in the extended chapters of Daniel found in the Septuagint [Greek Old Testament]. This also happens to be the last one referencing the Old Testament (the ninth references the Magnificat and sometimes the Benedictus, the Virgin Mary's song of praise of St. Zechariah, the father of St. John the Forerunner). The movement starts with marcato trumpets and eventually a discordant choir chimes. When do you first hear this? When Wendy sees the blood coming out of the elevator shaft. (Originally I thought the prior one was used. In that case, it references Odes 1 and 3, or the Song of Aaron and Miriam after crossing the Red Sea and the Song of Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel and precursor to the Magnificat. Talk about a mother who provides a kind of salvation witnessing a red sea.).

[@MandeeMagenta]

I don’t normally care that much about ads on KZbin, but oh my god the amount of ads made this video almost unwatchable. I did stick around and watch the whole thing, the video is great and I loved it, but as a non subscriber if this was any other video I would have given up

[@juancarlossolargr]

Blackmirror times... you've altered the film (the blurring bodies) I think because of the youtube censorship and/or for the monetization. Blurring Kubrik (you and many others), with all my respect for your excellent essay, ... what does the future hold?

[@amandamcgraw4096]

Excellent synthesis. This might be the best explanation of the themes I've seen. Thanks!

[@VolcanoMilk]

Danny unlocked the door.

[@gabrielseanwallace3979]

What a treat! 🙂

[@davidjarred]

What a beautiful analysis, thank you for sharing this. It is remarkable that the nature of evil is to attempt to lure the innocent and pure into its guise, however there are always telltale signs which reflect its true nature, and the discerning and pure student is able to muster up their inner faith to perceive truth and holiness in the wake of lies and falsehood.

[@wayfaringman8418]

Fascinating. You've helped me see this movie in a light even Collative Learning has been able to.

[@MP-fh4xo]

This is a great video! If you ever came back to the topic, perhaps you’d consider a comparison with the book as King did not care for the movie and the book has some big insights into these scenes that give them a lot more context than the film. The differences between the two versions are really interesting!

[@Terry-Cybil]

The Grady twins.. Forever

[@SillyWillyFan47]

Started with easy shallows and luring me to wade out past my depth far off into the deep! Nice exploration of premonition a narrative device, Father son dualism, Kipling's Poem, Desire, Intelligent Evil, external Salvation, Suffering, and the power of innocence played over Wendy & Danny wandering in the Maze.

[@daregularperson]

What an excellent video! I followed it closely and digested ideas from it - I found it very inspiring, and I’m glad you’ve included Bonhoeffer!

[@charlesp.8555]

An incredible essay for one of the best movies of all time. Subbed! EDIT: this is probably the best video essay I have ever watched on this platform.

[@funkyflights]

One of the greatest films ever made ! I’ve watched it so many times, acting is fantastic, story is amazing…

[@mayakyen3695]

Dr. SLEEP answers the question about whether Dick Hallorann became part of the Overlook or not.

[@davidperez5089]

Who's Tony?? Favorite line in this masterpiece!

[@orpheus9037]

One thing that is unclear - while The Overlook is only too happy to yield to Jack's need for booze, why not let him have the seductive woman in the bathtub, too? Why traumatize Jack mid-kiss with the old crone? Why the bait and switch when it comes to sex?

[@unkleluc]

i was 4 years old when i saw this film and i been peeling the layers ever since(36)

[@jamespfp]

1:13:45 -- RE: Children, Innocence, and Evil; I find many of these types of discussions a tiny but tedious not because I disagree with labeling anything Evil, but because I'd rather it had an opposite which isn't merely "Good". Children are the best way to talk about it, perhaps. They are presumed to have a kind of Innocence, Yes, and we will routinely make some kind of allowance for their innocence when they happen to do something which is Not Righteous. Does Evil need Intent? Probably. And so, the course of instruction into Righteous behavior includes warnings against what is Evil, and we lose our innocence by knowing what Evil is, and having no excuse for not knowing it should we choose it. Moral behavior is more than simply Good.

[@JWPanimation]

SK was anti Rousseau. He thought man would easily toss his morality if it fed his desires. The transition into the lustful look on Jack's face once he sees the chick in the bathtub is brilliant.

[@jerrycarter7843]

I don't know if it means anything but when Danny is in the bathroom of his family's apartment looking at himself in the mirror. I noticed their bathtub has the shower curtain pulled too and it had a green hue to it like the bathroom in room 237.

[@jah1965]

I saw this film when it came out with my new stepmother in Hampton NH. I was 15 years old and not thrilled about my father's choice. She was trying to take an interest in me, as I was a fan of Stephen King. The theater was packed, we sat in the front row. I grinned with delight, for not only the film, but her absolute visible discomfort of it. She was not pleased and never took me to the movies again.

[@drummersmrc]

As Jack and Wendy tour the Colorado Room for the first time, Jack looks back at a workman wearing a burgundy jacket and blue jeans. When Jack wakes from a nightmare at his typewriter, he is wearing the same clothes of the workman and for the rest of the film.

[@drummersmrc]

Interesting how early in the film the Torrances are walked around the hotel grounds by Ullman and his assistant ( notice the order of the actors as compared to the Beatles’ Abbey Road cover ) and later Wendy can’t get out “The Bathroom Window” BTW, the cover photo was taken hours before the Manson incident in Hollywood. Wonder if Kubrick knew that? 🤔

[@HandsomeSteveJacobson]

This is the best analysis I’ve ever seen