The Shining was my first experience of true horror. When those horns hit the notes as the credits rolled, I knew shit was gonna go down. And presto! I was given the creepiest experience of my life by one of the most disturbing movies ever made.
Needless to say, I was stoked when the new Doctor Sleep trailer was released featuring Danny Torrance and his “shine”. Last we saw him, he had a narrow escape from his deranged father, Jack who was enslaved by the malevolent entities of the Overlook Hotel. I’ve wondered what would the gifted boy from The Shining what be like when he’d grow up. The trailer provides with more questions than answers. But, as a favour to you guys, we have come up a few things to give you a little heads up for what might be in store this 8th of November. Here’s our guide to all you need to know about the creepy world of Danny Torrance before checking out Doctor Sleep.
Danny Torrance and Doctor Sleep- Probable Time Jumps
Published in 2013, Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep begins almost immediately after the events of The Shining. Following their terrifying ordeal at the Overlook Hotel Danny and his mother, Wendy struggles to put their lives back together. Danny grows up and becomes an alcoholic like his father and spends years trying to kick the habit. Unlike the book which presents this narrative linearly, director Mike Flanagan, who is known to play with timelines, is very likely going to narrate the story with multiple timelines. Possible flashbacks of dark periods of Dan’s life, as well as his stay at the Overlook, would certainly take a place in the movie. Danny Torrance a.k.a. Doctor Sleep will probably move through time and space to narrate his story.
No Jump Scares
By the looks of it, Danny Torrance will likely be telling his tale as Doctor Sleep in an old school manner. For better or for worse, many horror films of today rely heavily on jump scares to get a shriek out of the audience. However, Mike Flanagan doesn’t seem to take that approach for Doctor Sleep. Rather than scary, the narrative would probably be disturbing and compelling. Just as it’s predecessor lacks jump scares, allowing the growing tension and the atmosphere to provide terror instead. This will Danny Torrance let his disturbing story speak for itself.
Danny Torrance and Doctor Sleep- Dan Is Traumatized
On paper, the shining seems like a pretty cool power. However, when it comes to becoming a target for supernatural forces, it could understandably feel more like a burden than a boon. The unresolved trauma of Danny at the Overlook Hotel has stifled his abilities. But when he discovers that others like him might need his help, he has to open himself up again. He’s learning in the process that even though he’s all grown up. There still are terrifying things out there that want to play with our Doctor Sleep forever and ever. We’d say Danny Torrance as Doctor Sleep has every right to be afraid.
All The Right Influences
Shining fans only familiar with Kubrick’s version, are not getting the whole story. Not only are there major characterization and thematic changes from the novel, but the endings are also entirely different. Those of you who haven’t read the novel and want to know the whole story before delving into Danny Torrance’s life as Doctor Sleep should check out the 1997 miniseries, Stephen King’s The Shining. Although a critical debacle, director Mike Flanagan has praised the series’ treatment of Jack who is a much more tragic figure and said that his film would certainly incorporate some of its elements.
Danny Torrance and Doctor Sleep- Part Of The Multiverse
As constant readers know, many of Stephen King’s stories are connected, a part of the multiverse linked to a metaphysical edifice known as The Dark Tower. Danny Torrance’s story as Doctor Sleep not only has the number 19 cropping up, the grown-up Dan also quotes Jake Chamber’s famous lines, “There are other worlds than these” from the Dark Tower series. With these and other small connections to the multiverse throughout the book, the film also has a chance to directly refer to other of King’s adaptive works. Some Easter eggs in the store, Mr Flanagan?
Danny Torrance and Doctor Sleep- The King Loves The Script
Who’s to stop you when the master creator has already given his thumbs up to your work? Danny Torrance’s world as Doctor Sleep has been created by Stephen King from his own hands. And he’s seen his fair share of his own work being adapted for various media. King famously denounced Kubrick’s version of The Shining. Obviously Flanagan didn’t want this, so he spoke to King about the differences and then sent the first draft the author’s way. The finished film was also sent for a first viewing, and so far, so good.
