Doctor Sleep: 10 Things You Need to Know

Doctor Sleep: 10 Things You Need to Know

Here’s everything you need to know about this long-awaited sequel! Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Things You Need to Know About Doctor Sleep Adaptation.

For this list, we’ll be looking at all the key information that you’ll want to know before lining up to see “Doctor Sleep”, the upcoming sequel to Stephen King’s classic “The Shining.”

#10: It Will Likely Jump Around in Time

Published in 2013, Stephen King’s novel “Doctor Sleep” begins almost immediately after the events of the “The Shining.” Following their terrifying ordeal at the Overlook hotel, Danny and his mother Wendy Torrance struggle to put their lives back together. As Danny grows up, he ends up becoming an alcoholic like his father and spends years trying to kick the habit. The book presents this transition linearly, but Mike Flanagan, “Doctor Sleep’s” director, is known for playing with timelines. While it’s not 100% confirmed, from the look of the trailer it’s likely we’ll get flashbacks to these dark periods in Dan’s life, as well as his frightening time at the Overlook.

#9: It Won’t Be a Typical Modern Horror Movie

For better or worse, many modern horror films rely on certain tricks (such as jump scares and extreme close-ups) to provoke a reaction from their audience. However, Mike Flanagan says that that’s not the approach he’s taken with “Doctor Sleep”. While there are horrific elements, the production team is more interested in creating a disturbing and compelling narrative. Just as “The Shining” is devoid of jump scares, allowing the growing tension and atmosphere to provide the terror instead, so too will “Doctor Sleep” allow the unsettling story to speak for itself.

#8: Dan Torrance Is Traumatized

On paper, the shining sounds like a pretty cool power. However, when it comes with becoming a target for supernatural forces, it could understandably feel more like a burden than a gift. According to “Doctor Sleep’s” synopsis, the unresolved trauma from Danny’s time at the Overlook Hotel has led him to stifle his abilities. But when he discovers that others like him might need his help, he has to open himself up again - learning in the process that even though he’s all grown up, there are still terrifying things out there that want to play forever and ever. We’d say he has every right to be afraid.

#7: It’s Influenced by “The Shining” Miniseries

“Shining” fans only familiar with Stanley Kubrick's adaptation aren't getting the whole story. Not only are there major characterization and thematic changes from the novel, the endings are very different. Those who haven’t read the novel, and want a better picture of what’s in store for “Doctor Sleep”, should check out the 1997 miniseries “Stephen King’s The Shining”. Although it wasn’t exactly a critical darling, director Mike Flanagan has praised the miniseries’ treatment of Jack, who’s a much more tragic figure, and said that “Doctor Sleep” will incorporate some of its elements.

#6: It’s Part of the Stephen King Multiverse

As Constant Readers know, many of Stephen King’s stories are connected, a part of a multiverse linked to a metaphysical edifice known as the Dark Tower. In “Doctor Sleep” not only does the number 19 keep cropping up (an important numeral within the mythos), but the grown-up Dan quotes Jake Chamber’s famous line “There are other worlds than these…” from “The Dark Tower” series. With these and other small connections to the multiverse throughout the book, the upcoming film has a chance to directly reference other adapted works, and director Mike Flanagan has indicated there’ll be Easter Eggs throughout the film. Maybe we’ll get a nod to “IT: Chapter 2,” which is also due for release by Warner Bros. in Fall 2019.

#5: Stephen King Loves the Script

Stephen King has famously stated that he disliked what Kubrick did with “The Shining.” For many fans, this can come as a surprise – until they read the book and see how the crucial differences in characterization might have irked the then new writer. Mike Flanagan spoke with Stephen King about closing the gap between some of the starkest differences, and then sent the first draft the Maine author’s way. Despite a history of working within the horror genre, Flanagan says the experience was terrifying. But it all worked out, as King loved it. The finished film was also sent to King and the Kubrick estate for an early viewing - and so far, so good!

#4: It Has a Great Cast

With expectations for the film high, a cast that can shoulder the load is key. In the lead role, the ever-versatile Ewan McGregor will play an adult Danny Torrance, struggling with old ghosts and new as he tries to mentor Abra Stone, played by Kyliegh Curran, a young girl who also has Danny’s gift. Rebecca Ferguson, best known for her roles in “The White Queen” and the “Mission Impossible” franchise, will take on the role of Rose the Hat, the leader of the vampiric-like troupe known as the True Knot. And “Alias” and “Supergirl” star Carl Lumbly has taken on the mantle of Dick Hallorann, the mentoring cook of the Overlook portrayed by Scatman Crothers in Kubrick’s “The Shining”.

#3: It Will Likely Be R-Rated

Except for the goriest of horror films, throughout the early 2000s there was a growing trend of aging down movies from R to PG-13 to maximize potential viewers. This resulted in films in the horror, action, and suspense genres that toned down mature themes and visuals to avoid being burdened with a higher rating. However, in recent years, we’ve seen a resurgence of the R-Rated movie, and in regard to his latest work, director Mike Flanagan has said it was “very safe to assume” that Doctor Sleep will get that higher rating. We guess elevators full of blood will do that for a picture.

#2: It’s Directed by Mike Flanagan

Mike Flanagan is leading “Doctor Sleep” as both screenplay writer and director. This is not the first time Flanagan has directed a King adaptation, having delivered his chilling vision of “Gerald’s Game” for Netflix in 2017. Flanagan made big waves in 2018 with “The Haunting of Hill House,” which Stephen King called “[c]lose to a work of genius.” From that same production, Flanagan has brought along cinematographer Michael Fimognari, The Newton Brothers as composers, and actors Violet McGraw and Robert Longstreet. Known for his ghost stories and exploring the nuances of grief and trauma in his horror projects, Flanagan should be perfect for handling this long-awaited story.

Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

It Will Be Slow Paced

There’s a Nod to Frankenstein

There’ll Be Literal Shining

Room 237 Will Return

#1: It’s a Sequel to Stephen King’s Novel AND Stanley Kubrick’s Film

As we’ve said, Kubrick’s adaptation diverges a fair amount from its source material. Naturally enough, King’s novel “Doctor Sleep” is enough a follow-up to his own book, not Kubrick’s interpretation. However, while not a direct sequel to the 1980 classic, Mike Flanagan has stated that he hasn’t left Kubrick’s vision out of his new film. Attempting to reconcile the gap between book and movie, Flanagan took on the challenge of staying true to the book while allowing the story to exist within Kubrick’s cinematic interpretation. Scenes from the trailer show recreated set-pieces from Kubrick’s Overlook Hotel. Considering that King has already given it his stamp of approval, perhaps “Doctor Sleep” will give us the merging of minds we’ve been waiting for.