Doctor Sleep reviewed by Mark Kermode

[@willgoodall1529]

Mark: "I didn't find The Shining scary." David Brent: "Ooh, you're hard."

[@PaddySlattery]

Thank you for that laugh. :D You've earned my Like. Spend it wisely.

[@willgoodall1529]

@@aegresen I'm actually playing The Witcher on the Switch while reading your comment. Spooky

[@cjwright79]

disconcerting, can we agree Mark that The Shining is seriously disconcerting? Fear is a gift, it's not something to be proud of, that you don't ever feel it. Too much fear is of course a very bad thing, but a moderate amount? I like it, I can handle it! "Strong enough to be weak".

[@Onmysheet]

Neither do I. The more I watch The Shining the funnier it gets.

[@ddfann]

I didn't either. I didn't like it at first either but it grew on me each time i watched it.

[@seank135]

The scene where Rose the Hat and her gang kidnap that little boy and then proceed to do what they do was one of the most distressing, terrifying things I’ve seen for a while in mainstream cinema. Horrible in the best possible way.

[@NickHunter]

Yeah they're really cruel. It's hard to watch

[@adampeters7947]

It really upset me. I nearly walked out.

[@MrFinnov8]

Yes that scene was rather unsettling, credit to the little boy’s acting I think.

[@flamingfleets]

I had to excuse myself during that bit. I’m no wimp but I don’t think I’ve ever watched a scene so viscerally upsetting.

[@ewganhoff]

The saddest part is that it happens in real life. Child sacrifice groups exist across the world (yes, America and Europe too) and they believe that the more pain and fear the child feels during the sacrifice the more evil forces will be drawn from which they hope to gain power.

[@g.rathbone764]

Kermode. The only reviewer to compare Steven King to Twilight

[@Andyroar1]

Saw it last night. Loved it. The Shining is my 2nd favourite horror film and I found Dr. Sleep a worthy and proper sequel to it. Rebeca Ferguson is simply mesmerising as Rose the Hat and Ewan McGregor really does Danny justice. I did have one or two tiny nitpicks which will remain in spoiler territory for now. Overall it’s a class act and I’ll probably see it again.

[@MultiWalrus1]

I thought it was utterly dreadful - borderline unwatchable. The rot set in early (at the beginning) when they drafted in actors to "recreate" the characters from the original movie. That was a bad idea! And how about the old woman ghost that inexplicably kept popping up throughout the movie? She must have popped up about six times! And then the nails in the coffin: the everything-and-the-kitchen-sink ending when the filmmakers panicked and threw in every character and set-piece from the original movie. Utter, utter garbage.

[@ResevoirGod]

@deadbutdreaming Thank god I don't have awful taste in films like the two of you.

[@chrisebert7989]

@@MultiWalrus1 i agree, i thought it was a saturday night live type slap at Kubrick's movie, little petty of King I thought

[@MultiWalrus1]

gggjmmm heaven forbid! 😄 what did you think of Joker, out of interest?

[@alfa01spotivo]

Matthew Hynds I thought it was pretty good. Very nicely shot, good acting, very atmospheric, interesting hero and villain and very satisfying conclusion

[@danielw7732]

No one: Nobody: Not one single person: Mark Kermode: ...The Exorcist

[@lawrencestacey9734]

Mark always finds a way to mention the exorcist. He mentioned it in his review of Zack Snyder's Justice League.

[@jonnydvd172]

😂

[@CloseUpLover]

quiet quiet quiet... EXORCIST

[@bigneon_glitter]

The best King adaptation in 20 years. A proper, exhausting, immersive sequel. Expected nothing, was blown away. Might just be the Best Picture of 2019.

[@Stigmatix666]

I went in with zero expectations, preparing myself for a trainwreck. But I thought it was the best movie of the year! Brilliantly complimenting King and Kubrick alike, something I thought damn near impossible.

[@Stigmatix666]

@True Gooner ??

[@robertwindon2492]

@True Gooner ik they are insane

[@BenjWarrant]

No review of Doctor Sleep should fail to mention the brilliant way in which Ewan McGregor hints at Jack Nicholson's voice and vocal mannerisms. He did the same thing in the Star Wars prequels with Alec Guinness.

[@ashleytalksmovies]

I really enjoyed Doctor Sleep. I appreciate how weird and strange it was. And I also liked that it wasn't trying too hard to be The Shining. It's less horror and more thriller, which may surprise those looking for scares.

[@metpach]

It really surprised me. I grew up watching The Shining, and as a child it scared me, but as I grew up, it became one of my favorite movies. It's creepy it's eerie, and while doctor sleep isn't a horror per se like The Shining. It is so good. It does a fantastic job of harkening back to the original, and embellishing the story more. I love seeing how Danny grows up, becomes like his father, overcomes it, and at the end gets a Redemption for both him and his father. It was masterful.

[@Whoa802]

What's weird or strange about it? In my mind, it was extremely predictable and felt like every other mediocre Stephen King adaptation out there.

[@kurtrivero368]

@@metpach How does he get a redemption for his father?

[@metpach]

@@kurtrivero368 the sins of the father passed to the son.

[@kurtrivero368]

@@metpach I get that but how does that redeem Jack. I also don't get why the hell Danny basically commited suicide in this. He survives in the book.

[@Cinephileofmany]

I’m with him on this. I saw it last night and was gripped all the way through. I will definitely watch Dr.Sleep again.

[@Flypidge]

I watched it last night and have to say.......I was blown away by it. The scene where she flys to abras house is one of the best looking scenes I've seen in a long time, ewan is quality as always but the actress that played abra was brilliant. Not what I expected but in a good way.

[@hudsonsirheshicks2653]

The Shining was never scary but it unnerves - gets under the skin with its hypnotic visuals and absolutely brilliant score. Mind boggling anyone would find issues with it, it’s practically perfect. That opening shot in the mountains with that music is so imposing, bloody awesome stuff

[@s1050]

I really enjoyed the film. Some great performances from McGregor and Ferguson in particular was a stand out. It pays homage to the original while adding something new and standing on its own. A bit like Blade Runner 2049. A solid 7/10 for me.

[@goodyeoman4534]

how is it standing on it's own by leaning on the original for support?

[@GiantSandles]

BR2049 has plot ties to the original because it’s a sequel but it doesn’t spend like a third of the movie trying to clumsily evoke your nostalgia from the original

[@billyboblillybob344]

@@goodyeoman4534 You could never have seen The Shining and this movie would still be sensible. It did not rely at all on the original to tell the story it told.

[@lornaginetteharrison7168]

I’m a patient at a clinic treating people with chronic, neurologically-based severe sleep/circadian rhythm disorders, & for the last 2 weeks it’s been a complete slap in the face to see buses go past with ads plastered along their sides seemingly screaming *"DOCTOR SLEEP"* directly into my brain, as I face only having slept a collective 5 hours in the last 7 days! So will I be going to see this movie? *HELL YES!!!*

[@johnPaul-qn3dg]

Doctor Sleep was a great book, I found myself kinda falling in love with the main character, he was the adult you would expect the child in the Shining to grow up to be, basically, to spite his problems, a good guy.

[@ParzivalTheThird]

Personally, I felt significantly underwhelmed after watching the movie for the first time, but when I watched it the second time in the form of the 3-hour Director’s Cut, it gave me all I needed. The story had much more time to breathe and get from point A to point B with enough development to feel as impactful as it should.

[@arthousecouch]

I adore The Shinning. It's a masterpiece made by one of the alltime (if not the greatest) masters of cinema. I also loved Doctor Sleep and was caught completely off guard on how good it was. Mike Flanagan is clearly not trying to build a deliberate direct sequel to Kubrick's work when it comes to continuing themes, narrative structure, and other ideas. That would just be disrespectful and silly and I'm pretty sure Mike knows that. Instead, I was granted with a deep character driven thrill ride, that's built like alot of other Stephen King stories, that had me invested for all three hours of the director's cut. I look forward to watching the rest of Mike Flanagan's work and look forward to what he makes next.

[@solsdadio]

It came and went for me watching this film however I literally sat up when they arrived at the Overlook. There had been nods to the Shining throughout but to hear the orchestra play again was a guilty pleasure.

[@Jessamine29]

The exorcist 2 might be crap, but 3 is great...

[@kevtb874]

The Shining is my undisputed favourite film of all time so of course I'm eager to see this but I just know it's going to a serviceable horror movie and not much more. Even from the short clip I'm reminded that most movies are bland and generic by default. Compare Danny talking about the Shining here with Dick Halloran explaining it to Danny in the original. Where's the atmosphere? The tension? The eerie quality? The dramaric pauses and well honed delivery. The brilliance of Kubrick's movie is that it imbues every scene with an off kilter rhythm and strangeness. The entire movie you have this sense of unease. That the characters under constant threat from the very place they are living. Add in the isolation, the spectacular sets, the way in which it is all shot and lit, huge performances echoing off the walls. It's proper cinema. Point is, the only hope I have of not being underwhelmed is if I go in to this movie expecting little in comparison. My main worry is that any nods to the original will only drag me out of it and make me wish I was watching that instead. I really hope it can just be it's own thing.

[@SuperDesignermatt]

I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. It’s not a horror movie, it’s more of a physiological thriller.

[@4shOne-Blitz]

Read the book first

[@davidlean1060]

I just watched Joker and the references in that film were distracting, because I kept thinking about those films, rather than the one I was watching. People are still studying The Shining in depth, so I kindly doubt this movie will be anywhere near as great as Stan's movie. The sooner King gets over the fact that Kubrick took his book and made it great, the better off we will all be!

[@Vaultboy101]

I think you're asking too much of any director that isn't Stanley Kubrick. A director like that wouldn't even get to make big budget movies today, what with the decade long pre-production, the 70 takes of one scene and terrorizing the actors for an authentic performance.

[@davidlean1060]

@@Vaultboy101 Kubrick was actually very frugal. Why else was he given the time to work on films? His films were not that expensive and he made it his business to turn a profit. For example, he had to provide toilet cubicles on set for cast and crew. Rather than rent them, he bought them..meaning he could then rent them out to other productions and turn a profit. So what you say isn't not strictly true. He only made it look as if he had big budgets!

[@TheGreenVillain18]

I’m amazed Mark went so easy on this. For me it was caught between trying to be a stand-alone story in the Shining universe and at the same time operate as a sequel to the original. For me the Kubrick interpretation of the book was so good, and so his style, that anyone else trying to extend the story was going to end up with a train smash movie in the minds of many fans of the original. Having said all that there were also plenty of structural issues imo, including a fairly unnecessary opening sequence set in the aftermath with a major character jarringly re-cast, bang average script, overly long, an obvious dead end thread, and elements seemingly shoe-horned in from the original. I also found aspects of the climax slightly confusing. A 5/10 imho.

[@ResevoirGod]

Maybe you're amazed because Mark actually knows what he's talking about. The Shining is a beautifully shot film but Kubrick's interpretation of the book was flawed. The success of this film is allowing most people who liked the Shining film and liked the book to both enjoy Doctor Sleep. I will however agree that some of the recasted scenes were jarring.

[@TheGreenVillain18]

gggjmmm I respect Mark and his views very much (thus my surprise), he’s my favourite but I don’t agree with everything he says and I feel my criticisms of the film are valid. If you want to take them apart then I’m happy to read your views and evaluate respectfully. I would add that Mark’s fellow critics by and large didn’t rate the film too highly.

[@PACEUK22]

You’re right. Doctor Sleep is totally mediocre

[@Blobby192]

it look sht

[@Eudomac99]

Rose: Oh Hi there! Danny: Hello there

[@CJJC]

Euan Macdonald That’s blatantly going to be the first video meme from this once people get hold of a copy.

[@johnrankin7135]

Your steam will make an excellent addition to my collection

[@billyboblillybob344]

@@johnrankin7135 Whiskey flavoured Obi-Wan steam, a nice start to a new collection.

[@jamesduffy7549]

I usually hate fan service "I got goosebumps" moments but there was one that really got me in this film edit: If you don't want it spoiled, dont read the replies but if you wanna know which one, its below

[@ShenanigansTVLive]

Which one was that, out of interest?

[@jamesduffy7549]

@@ShenanigansTVLive when they drive up the road to the overlook.recreating the shots from the opening of the shining with the theme playing

[@paulaustinmurphy]

When Mark Kermode says that he didn't find The Shining scary, I thought to myself: "And? So?"

[@MrGB1999]

The Shining IS scary precisely because Kubrick dared NOT to give the viewer what they expected - the obvious shocks, the violence, the death (in most cases). Rather, Kubrick dared to tap into our collective subconscious' and engage precisely what being frightened is - an irrational and unexplainable fear of the unknown.

[@stateazure]

And it didn't work, for most people. It's creepy and very atmospheric, psychologically disturbing, but not scary at all.

[@MrGB1999]

@@stateazure haven't you just described what scary is?

[@stateazure]

@@MrGB1999 No, I don't think so. I can get really immersed into movies with creepy atmospheres, like another favourite: Alien, but I never felt frightened or scared. Not that it ruins the movies for me though.

[@theckp]

Just watched the movie. Absolutely loved it and I’m a Stephen King & Kubrick fan. Was looking for your review just minutes ago and couldn’t find. But hey, et voila!

[@tarantino0151]

I liked it too! Thought it was a little over long but still enjoyed it. I particularly liked the casting of Rebecca Ferguson and Ewan McGregor.

[@theckp]

Travis Spazz yeah I gotta agree with you. There’s been lots of long boring movie recently but this is not one of them. It takes its time but it’s totally worth it!

[@theckp]

Tarantino 01 Casting was perfect. Glad that Ewan’s finally in a good movie. As for Rebecca, she’s always incredible!

[@babaduke3298]

Don't take this the negative way, what's your age?

[@theckp]

baba duke what do you think my age is and what is your point?

[@pjtiger10]

I know that everyone is afraid of different things but anytime anyone says that The Shining isn’t scary I think they’re bluffing.

[@pjtiger10]

AJT222 he’s the creepiest part...

[@JuanDavidHernandez-zy8dm]

@@AJT222-1wtf, this is the first time i have ever read the word overacting alongside the name of Jack Nicholson

[@ARVvidz]

AJT222 I agree. He was good, especially in the scene where he walks up the stairs, but a lot of times he was overacting personally.

[@BenjWarrant]

I agree. I can't see how anybody could *not* be scared when all those foolscap sheets of paper turn out to say - over and over, thousands of times, tens of hours of typing - "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"

[@kobalt77]

I was looking for something to watch tonite, this will do me fine. Thank you guys !

[@ellenspear50]

Mark K, if you don't find The Shining scary, what DOES scare you? It scares me just to wonder.

[@michaelandrews117]

The Shining is one of my favourite horror films yet it never scared me. It's great; well shot and well acted, but even it's creepy sequences never really gave me the creeps.

[@babaduke3298]

Maybe If you were a recovering alcoholic or an abused child or a mother torn between an alcoholic and an abused child it would feel terrifying.

[@gremsa]

@@babaduke3298 i guess if you're an abused child than you could be scared by many things but not particularly by the shining i would say. There are other movies. Or if you're an alcoholic maybe leaving las vegas. But in the end these are all movies and not real live

[@kilifischkopp1442]

I love how Mark just says what he means. He appreciates Twilight (which I don't yet understand but surely would if he told us), he loves High School Musical, which I Do understand, because the energy is so high and it's kind of a utopian film that needed to be. And everyone likes him for being this unintimidated by the good ol' main stream. :)) I can't wait for this film btw, I also love Ewan McGregor as an actor :)

[@spikeep6141]

I was persuaded of the potential it offers by direct analogy with the only other Kubrick sequel in existence - *2010 : The Year We Make Contact* The 1984 movie (and the novel it is based on) is a sequel to *BOTH* the 1968 Kubrick Movie (where the third Monolith, TMA-2, is discover in orbit around Jupiter, not Saturn) *AND* the 1968 Arthur C Clarke Novel (in which Dave Bowman transmits to Earth “My God - it’s Full of Stars..!!” when approaching TMA-2, before entering the stargate), and is a synthesis, rather than a competition of the two differing source materials. This is clearly a synthesis of Stephen King’s Sequel to Stephen King’s novel (which is about about domestic violence and alcoholism), and Stanley Kubrick’s film (which isn’t.)

[@CharlieA24]

Ok. To say that Kubrick's Shining wasn't about domestic abuse and alcoholism is untrue. It's how those thematic elements are handled and explored differed from how King handled them. From I heard from King's story,Jack sort-of overcomes his demons;whereas in Kubrick's film,Jack fully gives in and succumbs to them.

[@HelloMisterJAMWAH]

The Shining scared me as a kid, but now I can fall asleep watching it. More interesting as a piece of art than horror for me now, but I do love it. Doctor Sleep, on the other hand, felt like a YA novel adaptation from the get-go. It brings in all of the King cheese that Kubrick was so wise to ignore and as a result, overexplains every element of the story. I wanted so much to like this. Flanagan is a director I usually enjoy, but despite his subtlety and the decent performances, I just can't deal with King.

[@cjwright79]

I'm going to see this because Rebecca Ferguson in that outfit and with those glowing cerulean eyes makes me very, very intrigued. She can take me to the nether-realm and feed on my soul any time she pleases! 😅

[@danieloneill9560]

Haha

[@Michael-cv5wk]

BUT IT LOOKS SO STUPID WTF

[@jafarthebarmecide3677]

Stephen King was only dissatisfied with the Shining because of Jack Nicholson's casting, Jack was then already an actor that was typecast as the unhinged mental case and that's how he played it from the outset, King's gripe was that he wanted the character to have an arc from normal family guy to psychopath. I can agree with his gripe but I still loved the movie, it wasn't scary so much as disturbing, I got shivers from the title sequence with that music following the car's journey to the Overlook.

[@jafarthebarmecide3677]

@@markant9534 Well, I think he went with his character from Cuckoo's Nest, then there was Tommy, he was a fairly straight guy in Chinatown but there were those manic moments. In Easy Rider he was odd but a square but I really think he was cast based on his performance in Cuckoo's Nest

[@000EatMan000]

King thinks the haunted hotel turns good people bad. Kubricks point is they were already bad to begin with. I’m inclined to go with Kubrick on this one.

[@JimElford]

The father in the book is completely different, his arc takes different turns, the implications of domestic abuse aren't there because the demons got him when they went to the hotel, whereas in the film he had the demons within all along- "You've always been the Caretaker." The father was as much a victim as his family was in the book. In the film he was already tormenting his family in subtler ways. King didn't like the change because the book was his way of dealing with his alcohol addiction and his occasional unbidden thoughts of violence against his own child.

[@quintoblanco8746]

@@JimElford You might want to read the book again. Without spoiling anything, the character in the book is quite possibly worse than the character in the movie.

[@maxfrank13]

@@JimElford Have you gone mad? His abuse of his son and his former student are both present in the beginning of the book.

[@cjwright79]

the utterly demolished red Volkswagen Beetle we see near the beginning signals to the viewer what Kubrick thought of the idea that he should 'stay true to the source material'

[@BlueShift815]

It's not near the beginning. Its near the end during the snow storm as whats-his-name is frantically trying to drive to the hotel

[@jonny5779]

Exorcist 2 is not crap...and its not the worst film ever made...its flawed, its all over the place, it has moments of silliness, but it also has moments of ambition and that's something to be admired.

[@boxingmonkey2450]

McGregors American accent is still diabolical in 2019

[@vincevirtua]

BOXING MONKEY sounds alright to me

[@xtraspecialmango]

Hey... I got buddies in the F.B.I

[@danw1086]

He sounds like his character from Fargo. Fargo's set in Minnesota isn't it? I've never been to Minnesota so couldn't say how good his accent is.

[@grahamjackmacpherson6501]

His American accents are always unconvincing.

[@homosexualpanic]

Very amdram imo.

[@LDBCFC]

I absolutely loved this film. Didn't have any expectations but turned out to be so good.

[@schmoab]

This is really a Twilight/ Exorcist II review.

[@Hykje]

The "vampire" family in "Doctor Sleep" is more related to the vampire family in "Near Dark" than "Twilight".

[@dr.2335]

Rickard Zingmark bang on

[@patriciogonzaga3101]

Or Sleepwalkers

[@chrishiggins7166]

The film’s ending maybe disappointing, however the film’s still A clever, well casted, well acted, stylish & eerie follow up to The Shining (1980). (79%) (4/5 stars) (positive)

[@whereami2477]

Thought it was fantastic. Can't reach the heights of The Shining of course (what can?), but it really was worth the watch.

[@officialsimonharris]

I saw it today - very good! (and I am a huge fan of the 1980 Shining film) - it ticked all the right boxes

[@supes12]

I love Kermode but I will never understand how he can give the Twilight films a pass

[@maforo85]

Because as drama films they are good. Its just "cool" not to like them and because they are chick films but thats a poor argument and not anything with film critique.

[@supes12]

@@maforo85 I don't like them because I think the story is poor, the writing is terrible and the acting is atrocious

[@LameBushido]

@@supes12 I think he only likes the first one

[@tardiscrew6766]

Hello there ... does the movie hold the high ground

[@babaduke3298]

Depends on the quality of smoke you toke before the movie starts.

[@78starman25]

I never found The Shining scary either. I'm a huge fan of horror movies from that period. The late 60s to early 80s and most of the classic horror films from back then frightened me to some extent. For whatever reason The Shining wasn't one of them.

[@babyshambler]

Just watched it and bloody loved it. Felt like a kind of x-rated kids film (not a criticism) with lots of heart and gorgeous to look at.

[@coreytroup9818]

The True Knot did remind me of a few Twilight villains but this group here is far better executed not to mention genuinely horrifying.

[@SuperDesignermatt]

I saw the film last night, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s not a scary film. It’s a tense film in places and gives you the creeps in places, but I enjoyed visiting that world again and exploring the shining in more detail. Worth a watch for sure and seeing it on the big screen is even better!

[@Amber_xo_133]

Most elements from The Shining (1980) were recreated with duplicate sets and lookalike actors, though three shots were reused: the aerial shot of the water and the island and the two shots after it of the car driving on the mountain road. The shots were degrained, recolored as day-for-night, and had snow digitally added. When writing Doctor Sleep, Stephen King had to be reminded of things from The Shining he'd forgotten. Although most of his stories exist in a shared universe (The Shining's Dick Hallorann appears briefly in IT, for example) it's one of only a few sequels he has written.

[@robertpetre9378]

The fields of the nephilim hat reference nice even though rose the hat’s hat is more of a shortened top hat and not a Australian outback or cowboy hat

[@feydharkonnen]

It's more Nod Wright than Carl McCoy but it's good enough for me

[@thejon93rd]

I initially had absolutely no interest in seeing this film, especially after the abysmal It: Chapter 2. However, upon hearing this and Stuckmann's review, I cannot wait to check this out. Also, just as an aside, I can't wait to hear what Mark thinks about The Lighthouse (I just got out of the theater from seeing it and I thought it was fantastic).

[@colinayers9011]

Stuckmanised ,he gave it a great review and seemed to really like it

[@sjs7917]

I remember being a child of four or five and being in our front room and seeing that scene of blood from the elevator, I remember being very afraid but very interested. It was turned off straight away, I never knew the name of the film but I searched for it, found it, read the book etc. I loved the book and to my dismay learning 'Stephen King' hated 'kubricks' adaptation, while I literally loved it. It is very scary, in a different way. Sorry guys to go on. Loved 'The lighthouse'.... Willem Dafoe has been a favourite of mine since 'Wild at Heart'. His work is incredible.

[@s1050]

We have to wait until January here in the UK

[@thejon93rd]

That's a shame. I was kind of shocked to find a showing at the big theater near me. Thought I'd have to go out-of-town to see it, so it was a pleasant surprise to see it so close to home.

[@alexdawson9230]

Better than I expected, I wasn't sure if I wanted to see it, but I went and see it last night, no regrets, it is a solid film that does justice to Shining, both movie and the book.

[@johnbull9195]

I know Stephen King didn't like the way Kubrick adapted his novel but I saw an old interview with his where he seemed to be talking in mildly positive terms about the film. I don't know if perhaps he enjoyed the film on it's own terms and as a different story apart from his book.

[@FromeFmAjayD]

Mark “I liked the twilight movies” Kermode.

[@intrepidape2724]

Came for a movie review... Left with a Fields of the Nephilim reference. Nice.

[@adrianeady352]

intrepidape FOTN, Rubicon and Nefilim all awesome!

[@eon14873]

Yeah I noticed that about rose hat having a very similar image as Carl mccoy. Obviously the hat but also the hair braid and even the way she walked. Nice one

[@nickwhittemore3647]

Been waiting on this dude to review The Lighthouse.

[@r_hills3641]

This movie is to fans of The Shining what The Exorcist 2 was to The Exorcist fans.

[@markbrown6978]

Maybe I was too young when I saw it, but I waited so long for something to happen, that when it actually did, I was spent.

[@Luvie1980]

Can't wait to see this.

[@nicholasdickens2801]

Anyone who read the book would find the original film of ‘The Shining’ ‘unsatisfying’. Which is very true.

[@TheKingtethra]

The Shining was given a overhaul by Kubrick to do his own thing with it to build cinematic fear and tension. When I watched Doctor Sleep I thought of other Stephen King based movies, for example Dreamcatcher, hell its probably more in keeping with the Shining Novel than Kubricks version

[@jesperjee]

Did he just say he ”liked” the Twilight films??

[@kaykutcher2103]

Perhaps he meant the one starring Paul Newman? If not than well there are all sorts I guess.

[@michael1326]

He said it had similar shared ideas. In the past he has said that he enjoyed the twighlight films (a real head scratcher)

[@TheTonyEntertainment]

he meant the Twilight Zone films

[@michael1326]

Antonio Díaz - no, he meant the twighlight films which deal with adults dealing with supernatural trauma they experienced as kids - same concept as Dr Sleep. The “detractors” of the TL films are those that only see a sappy teen horror-romance (yep, that’s what it is) Not sure why you think this is related to the twighlight zone movies, except they both are horror and have the word twighlight in them

[@andrewgwilliam4831]

I thought it was well known that he likes the Twilight films. He's defended them on numerous occasions. Bonkers, but there you go.

[@Orochi_001]

The Twilight element is what had me roll my eyes and put the book down. Vampires are one thing I already don’t find particularly interesting, but emo energy vampires are a bridge too far

[@kristopherschermerhorn998]

You should give the film a chance. I agree with you, and it was the one thing that I really had doubts with with the film. But these aren't really vampires aside from the fact that they "live long" if they "eat well" (they feed on the steam let off by the painful fear filled death of someone with "The Shining". They have a form of " The Shining " themselves with which they can control minds and go into someone's mind. This film is a mind bending mystery/thriller. The story with the "True Knot" which was the part I was most unsure of, ended up being the most compelling part of the film. And the way the director visualized these characters "going into" each others minds was incredible. Give it a chance, Doctor Sleep is an incredible psychological thriller!

[@Orochi_001]

Kristopher Schermerhorn I’ll do it!

[@AllotmentGrowHow]

Mark likes The Twilight movies???? WHAT!!!!

[@kellinwinslow1988]

I never found the Shining scary either. Kubrick might be the greatest director of all time but I always spend more time being intellectually involved instead of emotionally involved. I hate the fact that they felt compelled to tie Dr. Sleep into his version of The Shining instead of the book. Aside from the little changes,like making the main girl black ect having images right from the 80' film and even having the hotel involved when it burned down and was just a small part of the final battle in the book annoys me. Some people won't care and that's fine but I feel that it did itself no favors,and indeed was hobbled,by Dr.Sleep relying on Kubrick's take on the Shining.

[@chaosmos24]

I understand why fans of the book might not care for Kubrick's adaptation, but I also understand why a filmmaker would want to mine Kubrick's vision.

[@babaduke3298]

Intellect and emotion usually go hand in hand. Movies like this trash do well because the audience is viewing with more emotion than intellect. This movie would have made a greater Salem's lot plot than anything.

[@kellinwinslow1988]

@@babaduke3298 I find that they usually don't go hand in hand. Most people think with their emotions first and their reason second. Movie wise there are many films that engage on one level or the other. Most of Kubrick's films place a higher emphasis on reason because he was a very logical, thoughtful man. Anime like Akira and Patlabor is more reason focused while stuff like My Neighbor Totoro is pretty much just raw emotion. Maybe Dr.Sleep is ok but I'd rather it not alter stuff just to tie into Kubrick's film which is really an entirely different thing altogether.

[@maxinehayes7721]

Just been to see it. I didn't really enjoy it to be honest. A bit Evil Dead meets Dr Who. A bit too literal in its visual sequences.

[@felyxmillicent6538]

I saw The Shining as a kid on VHS in my bedroom at night and it creeped me out to the point I threw away the tape afterwards.

[@olderloverxx]

Sounds good. The Shining is psychological horror that works for me and I never tire of. Interestingly Mark mentiones 'Twilight' here a lot... why? Never seen any of them.. should I?

[@paceyplodder5911]

No

[@subplantant]

@@paceyplodder5911 This is the exact reply I was expecting to see lol

[@BatteryExhausted]

Please be good... Please be good... Please be good...

[@jodiereza1281]

Should Flanagan credit Kubrick because he used the same set design, iconography, and score choices? I personally a fan of both King and Kubrick but have no problem with those cause it's a different overall story but had a fight with a friend that thinks otherwise and said it's disrespectful not to credit Kubrick.

[@user-zu7wu8qt2k]

God I love this film the best thing this year and I see A lot of films

[@Anonymous-qx1vd]

Doctor sleep is the best horror movie in history

[@Darchie]

"I don''t think of it as a horror film. I think of it more of a Stephen King episodic psychological journey...." I don't know mate. Why don' t you just say its a thriller? I like kermode and mayo but as I've got older the more I find I'm more impatient with people who talk but don't actually say anything.

[@jonny5779]

Oh yes...Doctor Sleep was pretty damn good

[@Destructor111]

Y U no visuals?

[@GiantSandles]

There’s a stretch of the film where it’s quite decent but there’s also a good third of it where they’re basically just going “hey remember the Shining? Yeah that was good wasn’t it, the Shining. Remember Jack Nicholson? Here’s a guy that looks vaguely like him” etc. Also some of the dialogue with the main villain is pretty terrible

[@andys8483]

Watched Doctor Sleep yesterday evening & really enjoyed it. Rebecca Ferguson was seriously scary. Def some Hill House vibes going on in some of the scenes. It's made me want to read King's novel. Can't comment on the Exorcist 2 as I haven't seen it but, for me,those godawful Twilight films that Mark likes & references here have that film beat in the stupid stakes,... & I have only seen the first(not by choice I might add!). Honestly, it was the most boring & ridiculous(sparkly vampires? WTF??) piece of crap I've ever had to sit through!

[@martincolton32]

Absolutely loved this film. Watched it a few times since it came out.

[@ShawNshawN]

Hi Kermode, I didn't find this sequel scaring at all. They didn't have any cleverness of the first one and repeated the whole flip back to the hotel, but was totally done poorly in act 3. Thanks for sharing. Check my review if you get a chance.

[@mickeyfinnfinn5449]

I like Mark Kermodes movie views - I always listen to him - because he tells it like it is ! - No hairs and graces if it's bad he'll tell you - If it's good he'll tell you ! Steve B British Isles

[@stefan8303]

I really enjoyed the film, it was much better than I thought it would be. My only issue was when Danny looks through the axe door in the overlook hotel it gives us a flashback as a reminder which really isn't needed and treats the audience as idiots.

[@ruari76]

I seen the directors cut and I feel it could have been a series to really flesh it out.... I've no idea how the cinematic release paced and played out, i feel probably rushed and unconnected?

[@kubatopor9674]

Pretty spot on. It's disjointed in that literary sense of hopping between plot threads and trying to balance the various strands of its content. Something that novels generally accomplish much easier. In fact DS reminded me more of a TV mini series than any cinematic adaptation of King's work.

[@BarkingLondon]

Scary? Depends how old you were watching The Shining. Age 7 was a bit much fr me at first. 😆😆

[@edthesock2101]

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

[@haydengarinduchesne9269]

I love Kubrick I never cared for the shining though . To me surprise I liked this one .

[@calj2405]

Doctor Sleep has the same problems as the book. Abra is too powerful and unflawed, and the True Knot is too easily killable.

[@TheGreenVillain18]

Callum Ja yeah I’m glad someone else said that. The Abra/Rose conflict seemed an inconsistent and uneven aspect of the movie.

[@cosplayandfandoms6463]

Welcome to The Shining the theme park!!

[@harryh3203]

Every time I see Doctor Sleep written my brain automatically plays "Dr Beat" by Gloria Estefan. Now you can too. Doc, doc, doc, doc, Doctor Beat. Told ya.

[@paulm9857]

You dirty s.o.b!

[@harryh3203]

@@paulm9857 works doesnt it lol enjoy your earworm!

[@Northstar-Media]

I never found The Shineing scary even when I was young. But I was brought up with 4 sisters & every day was a nightmare.

[@theretrosavage]

Shining not shineing

[@Northstar-Media]

@@theretrosavage It still doesn't make it scary .

[@whereami2477]

@@Northstar-Media You saying it isn't scary doesn't make it not scary

[@Northstar-Media]

@@whereami2477 Its my opinion.

[@whereami2477]

@@Northstar-Media .....I know, and I gave mine

[@screenPhiles]

I actually enjoy Exorcist II: The Heretic. It's nothing at all like the film that inspired it, and (in this instance) that's what is so interesting about it. That a director-John Boorman-can take a sequel to one of the most celebrated films at the time and do something entirely different with it demands respect. And while that doesn't make it a good movie it does make it a fascinating one.

[@stevemitchell3464]

I found The Shining scary as a kid. It's not scary now BUT it still is a bit creepy and remains a horror classic. Doctor Sleep on the other hand I never saw in cinemas but I have seen parts of it and read reviews and I know it's a very long film so I was right not to watch it. Not a huge Ewan McGregor fan either to be honest.

[@paulholland3976]

Thought the first 2 acts were brilliant, then things fall apart once they arrive at the Overlook. The bar scene would have been better if they didnt cut to Jacks face and some of the acting veered towards melodrama. Still a good film though.

[@drumgold23]

Kermode hasn't a clue sometimes. This dud is The Shining for the Twiglet/True Blood fandans.

[@steveymoon]

I look forward to seeing this. I loved The Shining and I like Ewan McGregor, although I think he is a terrible choice for this.

[@Vaultboy101]

If only for the fact that Danny had brown eyes, not blue

[@joshhunt4146]

deni sherlock he actually has a cameo in the film. At the baseball game he is in the crowd. I believe he is a school teacher now

[@joshhunt4146]

deni sherlock I know. I wonder if they actually asked him to reprise his role

[@seanpatrick615]

He’s right The Shining isn’t scary. It’s very good but it isn’t scary. Even at the age of 10 back in the early 80s I didn’t find this scary.

[@damianoakes2592]

Between a movie about a killer mirror, a prequel to a Z-grade horror film, a re-imagining of a classic novel, and a sequel to a Kubrick film, Mike Flanagan is the king of: "You can't make that good."/"Hold my beer!"

[@FormerHumanX]

"We need an adult Danny Torrance... hire a Scottish actor."

[@FormerHumanX]

@Colby S It's called bad casting.

[@MrCreamcracker15]

They should’ve cast a telepathic actor as well tbh

[@NickHunter]

What a ridiculous thing to say. Was Hugh Laurie terrible as Dr house? And even accents aside it's not intrinsic to the character of Danny that he's American

[@Indietrix]

Plenty of wonky plot ideas in the film- lots of it goes nowhere, as is standard for most of King’s work. It’s all interesting stuff though; there’s plenty of strong, exciting imagery in the film. None of it is particularly scary, so it doesn’t fit terribly well with the tone of the film it’s supposed to be a sequel to, but it’s mostly compelling in its own right, and Flanagan does a good job in terms of actually making the film work! One thing I liked in particular: it has very well-drawn, clever villains, which is a real rarity. At times I felt for them, despite them clearly being really awful, terrible creatures.

[@maxinepaul2]

Macgregor as one of the lead actors no thanks taxi