Colin Snow
Doctor Sleep is a 2019 American supernatural horror film written, directed, and edited by Mike Flanagan. It is a film adaptation of Stephen King's 2013 novel of the same name and serves as a sequel to The Shining (1980). The film stars Ewan McGregor as Dan Torrance, a man with psychic abilities and a drinking problem, who struggles with childhood trauma caused by the horrors at the Overlook Hotel. Warner Bros. Pictures released the film theatrically in the United States and Canada on November 8, 2019, following its world premiere at the Regency Village Theater in Westwood, Los Angeles, on October 21, 2019.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Supernatural horror, fantasy, drama |
| Director | Mike Flanagan |
| Screenplay | Mike Flanagan |
| Based on | Stephen King's 2013 novel of the same name |
| Predecessor | The Shining (1980) |
| Runtime | 2 hours 31 minutes |
| Release date | 31 October 2019 (worldwide), 8 November 2019 (North America) |
| Cast | Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran, Cliff Curtis, Carl Lumbly, Zahn McClarnon, Emily Alyn Lind, Bruce Greenwood, Jocelin Donahue, Alex Essoe |
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Critical reception
Doctor Sleep, a 2019 American supernatural horror film, received generally positive reviews from critics. It is a film adaptation of the 2013 novel of the same name by Stephen King and serves as a sequel to The Shining (1980). The film stars Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran, and Cliff Curtis.
Critics praised the direction and screenplay by Mike Flanagan, as well as the performances of the cast, particularly McGregor, Ferguson, and Curran. Angelica Jade Bastién of Vulture wrote, "The film aims in its closing moments to be bittersweet yet hopeful. Instead, it has an unintended, even dour messaging about the cost of escaping your past and whether that's even possible in life." Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter stated, "It doesn't have Jack Nicholson, Stanley Kubrick, or even much of the Overlook Hotel, but Rebecca Ferguson and other good actors provide some shine of their own in Doctor Sleep, a drawn-out and seldom pulse-quickening follow-up to The Shining that still has enough going on to forestall any audience slumber."
However, some critics found the film to be too long and slow-paced. The runtime was cited as a potential barrier to its box office success, as it may have been less appealing to audiences looking for a shorter, more fast-paced horror film. Despite positive reviews, the film's box office performance was considered a disappointment compared to other King adaptations released in the same year, such as It Chapter Two and Pet Sematary.
Overall, Doctor Sleep was well-received by critics and audiences, with a worldwide gross of $72.4 million. It was praised for its direction, screenplay, and performances, but some found it too long and slow. The film's ability to stand on its own, separate from The Shining, was also debated, with some critics considering it a respectful sequel that drew from its predecessor without attempting to replicate it.
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Box office performance
Doctor Sleep, the 2019 American supernatural horror film, was released in theatres worldwide on October 31, 2019, and in the United States on November 8. The film is a sequel to The Shining (1980) and is based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Stephen King.
The film made \$5.2 million on its first day, including \$1.5 million from advanced preview screenings. It debuted to \$14.1 million, falling short of the initial projection of \$25–30 million. In its second weekend, the film made \$6 million, dropping to sixth place. With a budget of \$50 million, the film grossed \$72.4 million worldwide, which was considered a disappointment compared to other King adaptations released in 2019, such as It Chapter Two and Pet Sematary.
The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the direction, screenplay, and performances of the cast, particularly McGregor, Ferguson, and Curran. However, the lengthy runtime was criticised. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 78% approval rating, while Metacritic assigned it a score of 59 out of 100, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.
Despite its positive reception, Doctor Sleep underperformed at the box office, with Warner Bros. projecting a loss of around \$20 million. The film's reliance on younger audiences' familiarity with The Shining and its source material, as well as its release timing, were cited as possible factors contributing to its box office performance.
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Runtime
The runtime of the 2019 film Doctor Sleep has been given as 2 hours and 31 minutes, 2 hours and 32 minutes, and 2 and a half hours. The film's length has been criticised by some viewers, who have described it as drawn-out, slowish-moving, and "a little long".
One source attributes the film's underperformance at the box office to its lengthy runtime, stating that despite positive reviews and reception from critics and audiences, its lengthy runtime may have been a "barrier to breakout status".
Despite criticism of its length, some viewers have praised the film's ability to maintain their attention, with one review stating that although slowish-moving, the film "still has enough to it, to not lose one's attention".
Doctor Sleep is an American supernatural horror film written, directed, and edited by Mike Flanagan. It is an adaptation of the 2013 novel of the same name by Stephen King and serves as a sequel to The Shining (1980).
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Sequel status
Doctor Sleep is a 2019 American supernatural horror film written, directed, and edited by Mike Flanagan. It is a film adaptation of the 2013 novel of the same name by Stephen King and serves as a sequel to The Shining (1980). The film stars Ewan McGregor as Dan Torrance, a man with psychic abilities who struggles with childhood trauma caused by the horrors at the Overlook Hotel.
The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Flanagan's direction and screenplay, as well as the performances of the cast, particularly McGregor, Ferguson, and Curran. However, the film's runtime was criticised. Grossing $72.4 million worldwide, its performance at the box office was considered a disappointment compared to other King adaptations released in 2019: It Chapter Two and Pet Sematary.
Despite being well-received by critics, Doctor Sleep's box office performance may have been impacted by its reliance on younger audiences' familiarity with the source material, either the novel by King or the film adaptation of The Shining. The film's runtime of 2 hours and 31 minutes may have also contributed to its underperformance, as some viewers may have found it too long.
While Doctor Sleep was not a direct sequel to The Shining, it did continue the story of Danny Torrance, exploring the long-lasting trauma he experienced after his terrifying stay at the Overlook Hotel. In the film, Dan is an alcoholic who struggles with his psychic abilities and is haunted by the ghosts of his past. He forms an alliance with Abra, a courageous teenager with similar powers, and together they face off against Rose the Hat and her followers, who seek to exploit their gifts for immortality.
Overall, Doctor Sleep received mixed reactions from audiences and critics regarding its status as a sequel. Some viewers praised the film as a worthy successor to The Shining, blending nostalgia with thought-provoking themes of individuality, sobriety, grief, and generational friendship. Others found the film disappointing, arguing that it relied too heavily on nostalgia and failed to capture the horror and tension of its predecessor. Despite its mixed reception, Doctor Sleep stands as a unique entry in the horror genre, exploring the long-term psychological impact of trauma and the power of human connection in the face of evil.
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Character arcs
The 2019 film Doctor Sleep is a sequel to the 1980 film The Shining. It follows Danny Torrance as an adult, now going by Dan, who is struggling with alcoholism and trauma from the events that took place at the Overlook Hotel. Dan's father also struggled with alcoholism, and Dan is now trying to overcome this intergenerational pattern.
Dan's psychic abilities, known as "the shining", have been suppressed by his drinking. After moving to New Hampshire, he joins Alcoholics Anonymous and begins working as a hospice orderly. His psychic abilities re-emerge, and he uses them to comfort dying patients, earning the nickname ""Doctor Sleep".
Dan forms a psychic friendship with a young girl named Abra Stone, whose shining is even stronger than his. Abra is being hunted by Rose the Hat and her gang of followers, who feed on the "steam" of people with psychic powers. Dan, Abra, and Billy Freeman team up to take down Rose and her gang.
In the end, Dan overcomes his past trauma and alcoholism, finding redemption and becoming the person he knew he had the potential to be. He is able to use his shining for good, and he comforts Abra, telling her to "shine on".
Director Mike Flanagan has been praised for his focus on character arcs and his ability to bring his characters to life.
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Frequently asked questions
Dr. Sleep is an American supernatural horror film released in 2019.
Yes, Dr. Sleep is a sequel to the 1980 film The Shining.
Dr. Sleep is written, directed, and edited by Mike Flanagan.
The film stars Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran, Cliff Curtis, and Carl Lumbly.
Dr. Sleep was initially released in theatres worldwide on October 31, 2019, and in the United States on November 8, 2019.
