Key Highlights
- The Shining is returning to theaters in a limited IMAX run on December 12.
- Stephen King has long criticized the Stanley Kubrick-directed adaptation of The Shining, particularly regarding its handling of alcoholism and supernatural elements.
- In recent years, King softened his stance after Mike Flanagan’s adaptation of Doctor Sleep.
The Shining Returns to IMAX in a Limited Run
Warner Bros. Pictures has announced that the Stanley Kubrick-directed adaptation of Stephen King’s The Shining will return to theaters on December 12, this time with an enhanced viewing experience through the IMAX format.
The Controversial Original
A new IMAX trailer was released on October 28, revealing that the 45-year-old film—considered one of the greatest horror movies ever made—is coming back to a big screen near you. However, the movie’s journey has been anything but smooth.
King himself is famously critical of Kubrick’s adaptation. In an interview with the BBC, King stated that the director stripped out key elements such as alcoholism and cosmic/abstract evil from his original story.
He also criticized Kubrick for turning Wendy Torrance into a character who is “basically just there to scream and be stupid,” a far cry from the woman he wrote about.
King’s complaints extend beyond just the plot changes. He has long argued that Kubrick misinterpreted the Overlook Hotel, shifting its source of evil from the building itself to the characters within it. King even went as far as to suggest this was due to a flaw in Kubrick’s own character: “Because he couldn’t believe, he couldn’t make the film believable to others.”
A Change of Heart?
Despite his criticisms, King did eventually come around on The Shining. When he wrote the sequel book Doctor Sleep in 2013, he took the opportunity to bash Kubrick again, writing in an afterword that “if you have seen the movie but not read the novel, you should note that Doctor Sleep follows the latter which is, in my opinion, the True History of the Torrance Family.”
However, when Mike Flanagan directed his own adaptation of Doctor Sleep and managed to blend both King and Kubrick’s visions, it finally set the author at ease. After its release in 2019, King was quoted as saying, “Everything that I ever disliked about the Kubrick version of The Shining is redeemed for me here.”
The IMAX Experience
For those who have never seen The Shining on a big screen or are looking to experience it in a new format, this limited run in IMAX theaters offers a unique opportunity. The movie will be playing in select locations starting December 12, promising a viewing experience that is both chilling and charged with a relentless terror.
The return of The Shining in IMAX marks not just a nostalgic journey for horror fans but also an interesting moment in the evolving landscape of film adaptations. While King’s criticisms have long been part of the conversation surrounding this iconic movie, its re-release provides a chance to see it in a new light.
Whether you are a fan of Kubrick’s version or prefer King’s original story, The Shining‘s IMAX run is an event not to be missed.
For horror enthusiasts, it offers a chance to experience one of the most iconic films ever made on a truly grand scale.
IMAX theaters will provide the perfect setting for what promises to be a spine-chilling journey back in time. The limited run starts on December 12, so don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to see The Shining like you never have before.
