Years after the traumatizing events from The Shinning, Danny Torrance (Ewan McGregor) is facing his own demons in life. He now must protect a young girl named Abra (Kyliegh Curran) from a cult known as the True Knot, who prey and feed on children that have powers.
Director: Mike Flanagan
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran, Cliff Curtis, Zahn McClarnon
MPAA Rating: R for disturbing and violent content, some bloody images, language, nudity and drug use.
Fun Fact: Danny Lloyd who played Danny in The Shinning, makes a cameo in this film.
We have all had those times when we have seen a movie so good that we can’t stop thinking about it. It might have been something we saw at the theater or on our home television screens, it always leaves a lasting impact for us.
Doctor Sleep is one of those films for me. I simply couldn’t get enough of it. In fact, I went to this film twice in three days. I hadn’t done that in quite some time for a film that was in the theater. Films like this is what keeps me going in doing a site like this. Why I have always loved and will continue to love film as an art form.
I give the highest praise to director, writer, and editor Mike Flanagan. He’s a breath of fresh air in the horror genre that is much needed. He knows how to write perfectly crafted scenes of horror and suspense. This production is just another fantastic example of his work. I reviewed Gerald’s Game on this site, and he did the exact thing in that movie that he did with this one. The script is so well written that it builds to a big climax that you are invested in. This is a lengthy movie at two and a half hours, but it’s justified with how well the film flows. Not for one second was I bored or wished things would hurry up. I can’t wait to see more from Flanagan as I believe he’s going to have a nice successful career.
The cast brings more than their A-game as all the performances are top notch. Ewan McGregor delivers one of his best performances in his career. He plays Danny, and he portrays him as a man with serious issues perfectly. I want to see him get better and help others along the way and McGregor makes it believable. Kyliegh Curran also delivers one of the strongest child performances I’ve ever seen. You know when you watch a film and sometimes you are annoyed by the child performances? Curran doesn’t give any of that and she’s one of the best parts of the movie. Even though those performances are amazing, Rebecca Ferguson’s performance was my absolute favorite. She portrays Rose the Hat, the leader of the True Knot. The character is charming in an evil way and Ferguson is spot on. Ferguson and McGregor are the two perfect examples of a good character and villain. By the time they meet in the climax I was excited because both were so well written.
For a film like this the production was top notch. Most horror films production values can come off as cheap. This one uses the budget well. The cinematography was great, and I loved all the tribute shots to the Kubrick film. While some might say that it’s only for fan service, I for one loved all of it. I’m such a massive fan of the Kubrick film that I got excited for when ever those types of throw backs where on screen. Besides that, it’s just a beautifully shot film and the different camera angles are justified. Every scene just jumps out at you and you will get invested in what is happening on screen.
Overall, Doctor Sleep is a fantastic and must-see film for the masses. If you’re a fan of the Kubrick film I think you will like this one just as much. If you’re a King fan in general I think your going to like it as well. The acting drives this film and all the cast is top notch and brings more than their A-game. It’s so well written and directed that it flows well and while it’s lengthy you are not going to feel like it is. The whole time I was invested, and I think you will be too. It’s a shame that it didn’t make much money at the box office, but I hope that it finds new life on the home market like some films do.
Verdict: Hit
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