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The Shining

The Shining is a 1980 psychological horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on Stephen King’s 1977 novel of the same name.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Shining is a 1980 psychological horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on Stephen King's 1977 novel of the same name. It stars Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, and Scatman Crothers, and follows a family's winter stay at the isolated Overlook Hotel as the father's mental state deteriorates. The film has had wide international influence, including in Canada, where it is commonly studied, screened, and referenced as a landmark of horror cinema.

Plot

The film follows writer Jack Torrance after he becomes winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel with his family. As the season progresses, Jack becomes increasingly unstable while his son Danny experiences disturbing psychic visions.

Production and filming

The Shining was directed by Stanley Kubrick and filmed with exterior shots at Timberline Lodge in Government Camp, Oregon. The film also credits Diane Johnson as co-writer of the screenplay.

Adaptation from Stephen King

The film is based on Stephen King's novel The Shining. Although adapted from the book, it is known for major changes to characters, tone, and plot development.

Reception and legacy

The film has been praised for its direction, visual style, and sustained tension, and it remains influential in horror cinema. Its imagery and performances are frequently cited as defining features of the genre.

Key facts

  • The film was produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick.
  • It is adapted from Stephen King’s 1977 novel, but Kubrick’s film differs from the book in significant ways.
  • The story centres on Jack Torrance, his wife Wendy, and their son Danny at the Overlook Hotel during winter isolation.
  • The film is widely noted for its atmospheric tension and psychological horror style.
  • One listed exterior filming location was Timberline Lodge in Oregon, used for the Overlook Hotel exterior.
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Canadian context

The film has had wide international influence, including in Canada, where it is commonly studied, screened, and referenced as a landmark of horror cinema.

Frequently asked questions

Who directed The Shining?
Stanley Kubrick directed The Shining.
What is The Shining about?
It is about a family living in the isolated Overlook Hotel during winter, where the father, Jack Torrance, slowly unravels into violence and madness.
Is The Shining based on a true story?
No. It is based on Stephen King’s 1977 novel, not on a true story.
Where was The Shining filmed?
One documented filming location was Timberline Lodge in Government Camp, Oregon, used for the Overlook Hotel exterior.
What does the ending of The Shining mean?
The ending is widely interpreted in different ways, including as evidence of cyclical time, Jack’s absorption into the hotel’s history, or the film’s unresolved psychological and supernatural ambiguity; the film itself does not give a single explicit explanation.
Why is The Shining scary?
It is considered scary because of its isolated setting, mounting psychological breakdown, unsettling imagery, and the sense that the hotel may be both haunted and mentally corrosive.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shining_(film)
    Supports: Director, release year, cast, plot overview, and adaptation basis.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081505/
    Supports: Director and filming location information for Timberline Lodge.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/shining
    Supports: Synopsis, director, screenwriters, and critical notes on tension and psychological horror.
  4. Warner Bros. Entertainment — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC-OdRbIKDU
    Supports: Studio description of the plot and psychological horror elements.