KUBRICK VS. KING: 45 YEARS OF THE SHINING (1980)

THE SHINING (1980) d. Stanley Kubrick (USA)
THE SHINING (1997) d. Mick Garris (USA)
DOCTOR SLEEP (2019) d. Mike Flanagan (USA)

The Shining (1980) remains one of the most iconic and unsettling horror films ever made. Based on Stephen King’s novel but wildly reimagined through writer/director Stanley Kubrick’s unique vision, this “masterpiece of modern horror” tells the story of Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic who takes a job as the winter caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel. As the unforgiving Colorado winter traps him, his wife Wendy and their son Danny inside, supernatural forces send them spiraling into madness and unforgettable terror.

45 years later, The Shining continues to inspire filmmakers, critics, and horror fans alike, sparking endless analysis and debate, challenging us to look deeper with every viewing. Its eerie imagery, narrative ambiguity and dreamlike atmosphere have cemented its place as a lasting part of horror cinema history.

Join AC and his outstanding panel of guests (Kait Astrella, Ana Marie Cox, Daniel Ekholm, Anish Jethmalani, Bobby Zier) as we celebrate the film’s groundbreaking cinematography, uncanny sound design, and timeless performances by Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Scatman Crothers, and little Danny Lloyd, as well as the deeper symbolism and hidden meanings that have surrounded The Shining for decades.
---------------------------------------
ANA MARIE COX is a writer and podcaster. She co-hosts the sci-fi podcast Space the Nation and the work and life podcast Past Due. Her work appears in The New Republic and elsewhere. She lives in Austin and deeply trusts horror and sci-fi to tell the truth.

KAIT ASTRELLA is a librarian, archivist, and indie book publicist working in New York City. Find her posting about printed books and strange fiction on Instagram @kastrella2

DANIEL EKHOLM has written about film in several Swedish magazines, including Moviezine, which is the leading film magazine in Sweden. He also contributed the essay on The Blob (d. Chuck Russell, 1988) for Hidden Horror. Daniel would like to write his own book about horror films one day, but since fair use does not exist in Sweden, he started writing a children's book that he plans to finish at some point.

ANISH JETHMALANI is Chicago Actor who has been on stages and screens for 30 years. You may recognize him from the horror flick Girl on the Third Floor with CM Punk. He is passionate Cinephile who contributed an essay on The Omen for the original HORROR 101: The A-List of Horror Films and Monster Movies. You can find him on letterboxed at https://letterboxd.com/ajet/

BOBBY ZIER has a passion for Dracula and runs a TikTok/IG and YouTube channel called Lugosi Theatre. ‪@LugosiTheatre‬  He recently received his second “Monster Kid of the Year” Rondo Award for his efforts in keeping classic horror alive and well.
----------------------------------------------------------
Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!