Doctor Sleep (2019) is the sequel to Stanley Kubrick's The Shining starring Ewan McGregor. Many fans of the original horror hit didn't know a follow-up book or movie was developed, so it flopped in the box office. However, there has been a surge in rentals for the thriller including yours truly. Read here! We will warn you before spoilers occur.
▶️ STORY: Dan Torrance is still contending with the horrors of The Overlook Hotel after a few decades. He must protect a young girl who "shines" like him after she catches the scent of a murdering cult who feed on innocents.
We watched the 3-hour directors cut version that Mike Flanagan envisioned. Not only did he direct it, but he also wrote the script. It's worth watching it this way. There is around 30 minutes of extra footage that provides added value.
Rebecca Ferguson as the antagonist Rose the Hat is as exceptional as it gets. She manages to be menacing yet enchanting. A little smile gains the trust of a young child then she'll turn instantly and attack. She's not a misunderstood person who does bad things. No, she's a villain. This villain only cares about her family and will do whatever she feels necessary. Personally, I believe Ferguson should have been nominated for all of the major award shows if not won, but she didn't receive any. Politics may have played a hand, or she just went unnoticed somehow like the movie.
Ewan McGregor as our lead is excellent casting being the grown-up Dan Torrance. He's a man in tatters who has been a wanderer for years trying to outrun his gift. McGregor portrays this as well as any other. Also, we have Kyliegh Curran as Abra Stone. Over 800 girls auditioned for this role, and she was chosen. This is her breakout performance that should net new opportunities for her future.
*Doctor Sleep draws on the famous aspects of The Shining while being its own movie. It has some chilling scares that disturb you. However, the psychological effect of making you anxious is more bone-chilling than the jump scares. In 3 hours, there's plenty of that to go around. One scene in particular is frankly disturbing and was extended in the director's cut. It's better to not know, so I'll just say the cult does something brutal to a baseball player.
Through look-alike actors and modern technology, they were able to use old characters enough to where we had to look up how it was accomplished.
Being so long, there is plenty of flashbacks, long takes, and camera pans, but that's a good thing. Each shot contributes to the story, and you piece together the evidence of the world as you watch. I thought that was fun.
*****DON'T READ PAST THIS PARAGRAPH IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE MOVIE DUE TO INCOMING SPOILERS. For those stopping here, I really believe horror fans should give this sequel thriller your time! My film rating is an A. For those who have seen it, continue on!
Remember the baseball boy scene? How could you not? It's an extremely brutal moment especially since it involves a child. I just starred not knowing how else to react. This is a scene that was shorter in theaters, and I understand. However, it really pushes the idea of how evil these "people" really are. Only horrid creations could do such a thing.
I knew they would go back to the Overlook, and it didn't disappoint. Even though I guessed Dan would unlock his boxes to kill Rose, I was still pumped for the moment.
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