The Shining (1980), directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on Stephen King's novel, is a psychological horror masterpiece that follows Jack Torrance, a struggling writer and recovering alcoholic, as he takes a job as winter caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel. As snow traps the family inside, Jack descends into madness, driven by supernatural forces and the hotel’s sinister history, while his son Danny—who possesses psychic abilities known as “the shining”—witnesses terrifying visions. With iconic performances (especially Jack Nicholson’s unhinged portrayal), haunting visuals, and a creeping sense of dread, the film has become a landmark in horror cinema, despite its initial mixed reception and King’s own criticism of its deviations from the book.
