Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

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.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

The Shining is a 1980 psychological horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on Stephen King's novel. It follows a family's winter stay at the isolated Overlook Hotel as the father's mental state deteriorates.

What it is

The film centres on Jack Torrance, a writer who takes a job as winter caretaker at the remote Overlook Hotel. He moves in with his wife Wendy and son Danny, but as isolation sets in, Jack becomes increasingly unstable while Danny experiences disturbing psychic visions.

Key details

Stanley Kubrick directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Diane Johnson. The exterior of the Overlook Hotel was filmed at Timberline Lodge in Government Camp, Oregon. The film is an adaptation of Stephen King's 1977 novel, but Kubrick made significant changes to characters, tone, and plot.

Why it matters

The Shining is widely regarded as a landmark of horror cinema, praised for its direction, visual style, and sustained tension. Its imagery and performances remain influential, and the film is commonly studied and referenced in Canada and around the world.

In short

  • Directed by Stanley Kubrick
  • Adapted from Stephen King's novel but with significant changes
  • Set at the Overlook Hotel during winter isolation
  • Known for atmospheric tension and psychological horror
Canadian angle

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

Quick 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.

Sources

  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.