Review: 'Doctor Sleep'

“Doctor Sleep” is written and directed by Mike Flanagan and stars Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson and Kyliegh Curran. The film is a sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” and follows an adult Danny Torrance (McGregor) as he is haunted by the events of the Overlook Hotel.

As he runs from his past, he makes a friend through messages written on a chalkboard in his apartment: Abra. When a tragic event causes Abra (Curran) to reveal her shine, she must turn to Dan to lead her through an attack from a threat he has never seen: a group of shine-eaters led by Rose the Hat (Ferguson).

The highlight of this film is the acting. The entirety of this cast is firing on all cylinders, but I will focus on the main players. Ewan McGregor (“Trainspotting,” “Fargo” season 3) is doing some fantastic work here. His portrayal of Dan Torrance wonderfully depicts someone trying to escape their past at all cost. At first, he wears his pain on his face, but it is always hiding behind his eyes.

The newcomer Kyliegh Curran gives an impressive performance for two reasons: this is her second credited performance at the age of thirteen, and she holds her own against a great McGregor and a revelatory Ferguson. Curran holds onto a sense of confidence even when she is outmatched. She shows great promise, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.

Rebecca Ferguson (“Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation,” “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” and “The Greatest Showman”) is doing the best work among this amazing cast. Her character is the personification of evil, and Ferguson is reveling in the opportunities that such a role presents. Her performance is absolutely delicious. She is always menacing, but you can’t help being constantly impressed by her work and talent.

Also, there is a brief appearance by a famous child actor. I won’t spoil which one and in what respect, but I will say they were absolutely phenomenal and heartbreaking.

The directing by Mike Flanagan (“The Haunting of Hill House,” “Hush”) is impeccable. He had the impossible task of pleasing the fans of Kubrick’s masterwork while not further angering Stephen King and his fans. While attempting this balancing act, Flanagan had to make sure he can expressed himself creatively and was not lost in the shuffle.

Flanagan also does a great job with adapting King’s recent bestseller and editing the film. I was glad to see Flanagan was able to edit this film like his previous films. I was worried he would not be allowed to do this because of the larger studio’s involvement; however, he does not disappoint with this opportunity.

The cinematography by Michael Fimognari (“The Haunting of Hill House”) is absolutely stunning. There is a sequence involving flying that is mind-blowing. It is the most memorable sequence in the whole film. The effects in this sequence are breathtaking and secure the supernatural tone of the scene.

The production design by Maher Ahmad (“Zombieland”) is great, but it truly shines in the last quarter of the film. I particularly enjoyed the set design of Dan Torrance’s apartment. The sound design is also good, which is vitally important for horror and thriller films. The score by The Newton Brothers (“The Haunting of Hill House”) is notable and effective, but personally it is not one I will specifically buy to listen to independently.

This film has great suspense and is a noteworthy sequel. Is the film as good as its predecessor? No. It would be impossible to match Kubrick’s work, especially in a world he helped create. But, I don’t think this is the film’s intent. Flanagan sought to make a good film that is also a worthy sequel. I believe he succeeded, which should not be overlooked given the magnitude of the challenge. I greatly enjoyed Doctor Sleep and will give it an 87%.