Unlocking the enigma of Stanley Kubrick’s cinematic masterpiece, The Shining is like navigating the mysterious corridors of the Overlook Hotel itself. Revered as one of the greatest films in history, The Shining has captivated audiences for decades with its spine-chilling narrative and Jack Nicholson’s iconic performance as the tormented Jack Torrance. Yet, it is the film’s enigmatic conclusion and Jack’s perplexing inclusion in the infamous Overlook guest photo that continue to baffle and bewilder cinephiles.
Adapted from Stephen King’s novel, The Shining plunges us into the eerie world of the Overlook Hotel, where Jack, portrayed with unnerving brilliance by Nicholson, takes on the role of off-season caretaker. Little do the Torrance family know that their new home harbors malevolent forces eager to exploit the psychic powers of young Danny, portrayed by Danny Lloyd. As the supernatural unfolds, the hotel becomes a breeding ground for terror, threatening the sanity of Jack and the safety of Wendy, played by Shelley Duvall, and Danny.
The film’s divergence from King’s original vision has been a bone of contention, with the author expressing disdain for Kubrick’s creative liberties. The disparity between the book and the film is stark, with Kubrick wielding artistic authority to reshape the narrative and introduce elements absent from King’s work. As debates surrounding the film’s fidelity to the source material persist, so does the enduring question: What truly lies behind the enigmatic conclusion of The Shining?
In this exploration, we delve into the intricacies of Kubrick’s directorial choices, the deviations from King’s novel, and the deliberate ambiguities that shroud the film’s finale. Join us on a journey through the labyrinth of The Shining’s narrative, as we seek to unravel the secrets behind Jack Torrance’s presence and the elusive ending that Kubrick chose to keep concealed during the film’s premiere. Brace yourself for an unraveling of mysteries, a clash of creative minds, and a descent into the heart of one of cinema’s most enigmatic tales.
What Is ‘The Shining’ About?
The Shining turns into a never-ending descent into madness once the Torrance family checks into the Overlook Hotel, but the film’s conclusion may have begun when Jack returns to the gold room to find a lavish celebration in full gear. Jack returns to the bar and talks with Lloyd (Joe Turkel), the bartender, who informs him that his money is not accepted here and explains cryptically that it is “orders from the house.”
A waiter walks into Jack while he is holding his drink, spilling it across his jacket by accident. The servant (“Jeevesy old boy”) offers to clean his jacket after apologizing profusely. He introduces himself to Jack as Philip Stone’s Delbert Grady, but Jack knows him as Charles Grady, the former Overlook Hotel caretaker. Grady gives Jack a peculiar look and replies that he doesn’t remember ever chopping his wife and daughters “into little bits” before shooting himself in the head. He admits his error to Jack. Jack is the caregiver here; he was never the one. He tells him in a mysterious way, “Sir, I apologize for not agreeing with you. But you are the one in charge. You’ve always taken care of everyone for always. Sir, I should know. I’ve been here all along.”
Read More: Ahsoka Episode 4 Ending Explained: Unveiling the Mysterious Conclusion!
What Happens at the End of ‘The Shining’?
Wendy is sleeping upstairs and is unaware that Jack has escaped his captivity. Danny/Tony wakes up a scared Wendy by croaking out his unnerving mantra for the evening, “REDRUM.” Through the mirror, Wendy sees that he has written “REDRUM” on the door, which is the word “MURDER” spelled backward.
As Wendy and Danny try to flee through the window, Jack appears out of nowhere and begins to smash through their door with an ax. Wendy takes Danny outside and instructs him to run since only he fits. When Wendy cuts Jack’s hand with a knife, he begins to hack his way through the bathroom door, yelling, “Here’s Johnny!”
Hallorann, who has been in contact with Danny through the Shine, shows up at the Overlook Hotel in the meantime. As Jack hobbles through the hotel, holding onto his ax, Hollarann cries out to inquire as to who is home. Unfortunately, Hollarann can’t stop Jack from slicing straight through him as he approaches from behind.
Read More: All of Us Are Dead Ending Explained: A Shocking Farewell!
While frantically searching the hotel for Danny, Wendy notices someone in a bear costume performing fellatio on a visitor through an open doorway. Terrified, she flees downstairs and discovers, in the foyer, Hallorann dead and covered in blood. All of a sudden, she perceives the people in the hotel as rotting corpses. Blood begins to spurt and flow through the red doors in a wave.
Jack is chasing Danny as he runs for his life through the snowy garden maze outside the hotel. Danny succeeds in breaking free and locating Wendy. The two of them take off from the hotel on a snowcat, as Jack limps through the narrow labyrinth, screaming and screaming for Wendy to stay with him.
The next scene is abruptly cut to by the camera. It is morning, and Jack is dead, eternally imprisoned in the Overlook Hotel, frozen in the labyrinth. The true bomber comes in The Shining’s last scene when the camera pans to a picture that is hanging in the Overlook Hotel. Who is that there in the middle, during the Independence Day ball in 1921, as depicted in the picture? Torrance Jack.
Read more: The Burial Movie Spoilers: Ending Explained For You!
What Happened After The Shining Ended
There is now canonical information regarding what transpired with Danny, Wendy, and The Overlook Hotel following the conclusion of The Shining, thanks to the release of 2019’s Doctor Sleep. First of all, it’s evident that The Overlook’s problems persisted after The Shining ended. Danny, who becomes Dan as an adult, spends the remainder of his life being haunted by the spirits of The Overlook, with Doctor Sleep concentrating on his efforts to apprehend them and relieve his suffering. Dan’s distance from The Overlook indicates that its power is much larger than even what The Shining suggested.
Doctor Sleep also makes clear that The Overlook was abandoned following The Shining’s events. This, however, is yet another departure from the Stephen King story that had The Overlook destroyed by the boiler explosion at the conclusion of The Shining novel. Regarding Wendy Torrance’s post-The Shining life, Doctor Sleep discloses that she died in 1999 at the age of 53 from lung cancer, when Danny/Dan was still 20. The book version provides a little additional information regarding her life after The Shining concluded, but the movie Doctor Sleep just makes a passing reference to it.
Wendy and Danny relocate to Florida when The Shining concludes, thanks to a settlement from The Overlook’s board of directors. She raises Danny throughout the rest of his youth and stays in touch with Dick Halloran in the book. Halloran assists Wendy in comprehending and handling Danny’s problems caused by the spirits of The Overlook. Being plagued by her death pushes Danny toward alcoholism.
Read More: Demon Slayer Manga Ending Explained: Tanjiro’s Transformation and Beyond!
Summary
Embark on a riveting exploration of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, a cinematic masterpiece that continues to mystify audiences. Delve into the film’s departure from Stephen King’s novel, the eerie Overlook Hotel, and the enigmatic conclusion that remains a subject of debate. Unravel the mysteries of Jack Torrance’s presence and the film’s deliberate ambiguities, as we navigate through the labyrinth of one of cinema’s most captivating tales. Brace yourself for a clash of creative minds and a descent into the heart of The Shining’s enduring enigma.