FilmSnobReviews

Title: Dr. Sleep
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Mike Flanagan
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran
Runtime: 2 hrs 32 mins

What It Is: Many years after the events of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining Dan Torrance (McGregor) is still haunted by what happened at The Overlook Hotel. It’s clear he’s used alcohol to subside his “shine”. All this time there has been a cult using the “shine” of other gifted people in order to remain immortal. This cult known as The True Knot is lead by the charismatic and dangerous Rose the Hat. They have their eyes set on a young girl named Abra (Curran) who represents to them the motherlode of “shine” needed so that perhaps they can live forever.

What We Think: It had a hefty load to bear with it being a sequel to one of the early ’80s best offerings. While it doesn’t seem to climb that mountain it gets close to the peak. Likewise, this is certainly the best King adaptation we’ve gotten in some time. Sure, other films have tried but this one reflects more of what King wanted out of Kubrick from the first film. It also keeps showing how good Mike Flanagan is in this space. Rebecca Ferguson is STELLAR as Rose the Hat. Her charisma oozes off the screen and as a friend of mine stated you’re almost rooting for her.

Our Grade: A-, A great continuation of this story and a nice way to wrap it all up. Great acting and a nicely paced script are combined with Anderson’s sharp direction to bring forth a film that sees itself in the top tier of King adaptations. Something many films will strive for but few will achieve. I recommend you head to your local theater right now and check this one out! Even at 152 minutes this never truly lags.