King of Horror: The Shining Returns to Streaming, This Time on Max
One of the most iconic and critically acclaimed adaptations of Stephen King's work, *The Shining*, is making its way to a new streaming home on Max this September. The 1980 horror classic, directed by Stanley Kubrick, will be available for viewers to revisit, or experience for the first time, starting on 1st September.
Based on King's 1977 novel of the same name, *The Shining
stars Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, a struggling writer who accepts a position as caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel for the winter. As Jack's mental state deteriorates under the hotel's eerie influence, his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and son Danny (Danny Lloyd) find themselves in a terrifying fight for survival.
While Kubrick's adaptation initially received mixed reviews upon release, it has since become regarded as one of the greatest horror films ever made, known for its haunting imagery, unsettling atmosphere, and memorable performances.
King's novels have been adapted for the screen since *Carrie
in 1976, and Max is home to a variety of both new and classic adaptations of his work. The streaming service currently offers *The Outsider*, a 2020 HBO original series based on King's novel of the same name, and will also host the reboot of *Salemâs Lot* in October. Additionally, a film adaptation of King's *The Long Walk* is in development.
How Kubrick's Adaptation Differed from the Novel
Despite being the most famous film adaptation of any of King's novels, it is well-known that the author disliked Kubrick's interpretation of his material. The film diverges significantly from the book, particularly in its portrayal of Jack Torrance. Instead of sticking closely to the novel, Kubrick drew inspiration from David Lynch's *Eraserhead
during the adaptation process.
The original novel presented Jack as a more sympathetic character than the film's portrayal. Although Nicholson gave a brilliant and genuinely unsettling performance, King felt it was too different from his original vision.
In 1997, a miniseries for *The Shining
was released, aiming to be a more faithful adaptation of the source material. Written by King himself, the miniseries succeeded in staying true to the novel, but it was not nearly as well-received, due to pacing issues and a perceived lack of the chilling atmosphere that made Kubrick's rendition so memorable.
King would later praise Mike Flanagan's adaptation of the *Shining
sequel, *Doctor Sleep*, for remaining true to the source material while also paying homage to Kubrick's classic film. Flanagan faced the challenge of respecting both the novel and the 1980 film, and ultimately, *Doctor Sleep* found success with both fans of the book and the movie.
*The Shining
will be available to stream on Max from 1st September.
