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Doctor Sleep: Plot | Trailer | Cast

By

David Mudd

Doctor Sleep is a supernatural horror movie by American director Mike Flanagan. This movie is a sequel to the 1980 film The Shining by Stanley Kubrick. Both movies are based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name. 

Stephen King is a raging sensation when it comes to the new era horror supernatural genre. His writing explores horror by exploring the worst sides of the human psyche and the weird aspects of things. King is a seasoned writer. His life has not been kind to him for a long time. He has been through a lot. This is probably the reason that he has such a deeper understanding of his characters and their troubled mind.

This article is about The Shining part 2, officially known as Doctor Sleep which has been adapted into a movie. Mike Flanagan has directed it. 

Adaptation

The movie is based on Stephen King’s novel Doctor Sleep.

Doctor Sleep Plot

The story revolves around Dan Torrance, whose father Jack became a psychotic murderer when they were living in the Overlook Hotel. This is where Dan first comes to know about his power of shining which enables him to see things most people can’t.  He can read minds, see dead people and has psychic abilities. 

Years have passed since the traumatic incidents of the hotel. But Dan still struggles to overcome those horrible memories he has. He has become an alcoholic to suppress his shining.

In the meantime, he meets young Abra whose shining is much stronger than Dan’s own. This part mainly focuses on Dan’s attempt to save Abra from the murderous cult True Knott. 

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The Prequel 

The first part of this movie was released back in 1980. It was directed by Stanley Kubrick. The movie was a great one to watch. Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of a man slowly descending into a darker version of himself is impossible to forget. His smug confidence before moving into the cursed hotel changes into a smile often seen on a predator’s face. The family breaks into two parts — hunter and hunted. 

The complicated psychology of the characters serves as the main component of horror. The Behaviour, reactions and responses of the characters create a sense of terror in the heart of the viewer. Kubrick had done a marvellous job on the movie 

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The Sequel 

the cast of doctor sleep
Featuring the team of Doctor Sleep

Doctor Sleep / The Shining part 2 revisits the story of Dan who was just a kid when the previous incident took place. The sequel focuses on Dan’s journey on many levels. 

Dan’s alcoholism becomes a major component of this movie. From personal experience, King knows the dark side of being an alcoholic. In an interview, he said that Flanagan’s movie also captures the reality of a recovering alcoholic, a condition with which King is intimately familiar. 

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Dan Torrence character 

It is Dan’s character that links in the past and future. Dan cannot get over the things that happened to him. He realises that memories are the real ghosts. One must carry it until death.  These memories haunt him endlessly. There is little he can do about it. 

Jack and Dan both are different in their approaches and characterization. Jack was always an easy target for the dark forces because of the kind of person he was. His innate selfishness makes it much easier for him to fall prey to the hands of the ominous energy. But Dan fights his way through. He never gives up on his good side. He tries his best to make a stand against the powers that want to exploit him. 

Dan’s character is in more contraction to is the father.  There is a scene in Doctor Sleep that shows the interaction between Jack and Dan and it becomes clear why Jack didn’t make it and why Dan just might.

The Shining 2 / Doctor Sleep 

showcasing ewan mcgregor and rebecca ferguson
Doctor Sleep and its amazing protagonists!

In his childhood, Dan was called Doc which is the short form for Doctor. This season shows Dan working in a Hospice facility and granting the dying patients a peaceful farewell using his power. This act of sending the people to eternal sleep makes Dan Doctor Sleep. 

Availability of Doctor Sleep

showcasing a glimpse from doctor sleep
Featuring a still from the horror movie, Doctor Sleep

The film can be watched on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime. Apart from this, it can be rented on YouTube as well.

Conclusion 

Mike Flanegan’s Doctor Sleep – the Shining 2  is a delightful watch for every horror movie fan. The movie beautifully captures the essence of King’s writing and can transport the viewer into Dan’s world. 

Dan’s scary world takes a fatal toll on him and meeting Abra was exactly what he needed to survive–a purpose. The powerful performances of the actors make the story so very credible that it scares you. You feel like it can happen to anyone. 

If you are a horror movie fan, this one comes highly recommended. Even though you haven’t watched the first part you will still be able to enjoy this one as a stand-alone.

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