Thursday, November 7, 2019

Review: Doctor Sleep

Release date: Novermber 8, 2019
Running time: 151 minutes
Starring: Rebecca Ferguson, Ewan McGregor, Jacob Tremblay

Forty years after the events in The Shining, Danny Torrance (Ewan McGregor)--struggling with his sobriety and frankly loosing his grasp on life--finds a new purpose in life.  He settles into a new home, joins AA, and picks up a job the local nursing home where he utilizes his shining ability to become "Doctor Sleep."  While his journey to stay sober and suppress his childhood trauma seem promising at the start, soon this is derailed when he meets Abra Stone (Kyliegh Curran).  Abra is a young and fearless teenager who Danny can relate to due to her own abilities similar to his own.  However, soon Abra is put in danger as a clan of people try to hunt her for her abilities.  


Director Mike Flanagan's mission with Doctor Sleep was to ensure that the source material from Stephen King's novel was in fact a direct adaptation while still acknowledging Stanley Kubrick's The Shining.  After watching this movie I have to say: job well done. About 90 percent of this movie is on par with the novel, with the final act of this movie heavily referencing The Shining events and also including plenty of call backs to Kubrick's vision throughout the film. Along with a stellar performance by Ewan McGregor and Rebecca Ferguson, making her major film debut was Kyliegh Curran.  Kyliegh was absolutely phenomenal and has a promising career ahead of her. 

On top of the acting, as is evident from the trailers, the score is a major bonus as well.  Let it be known that this soundtrack and score are legit!  The score really provided the old school horror and chilling feeling to complement some booming sound effects.  These all come together to provide an authentically modern score that still pays homage to 80s era films.  While the first hour of this movie felt a little slow, it quickly picks up after that with plenty of action and horror elements. 

Doctor Sleep pairs a stellar cast, with a big score, and enough nostalgia from the original movie to keep you entertained.  Whether you are a fan of the novel or have seen Kubrick's original masterpiece, you will thoroughly enjoy Doctor Sleep.  I promise, this movie will not put you to sleep!

Watch it

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