This is all the help the book gives in explaining what happened to Danny, and also helps explain what happened when Jack went back into the room.īut some fans seem to think that because the movie is so different than the book, and that Jack’s character had qualities of a predator even before going to the hotel, that the real story of what happened to Danny in Room 237 was far more sinister. A possible theory could be that Lorraine tried to seduce Danny into coming into her room so that she could kill him, but he managed to escape. So why was Danny drawn to the room? Well, it could be because even though Lorraine was disgusted with herself enough to end her life, she may still be reenacting events from her past. Out of guilt, she slit her wrists in her bathtub. RELATED: Why Did Charlie Have That Strange Tongue Clicking Tick In Hereditary? She would invite them into her room where they would conduct sexual activity. When she was alive, Lorraine was known to seduce young bellhop boys. Firstly, in the book, the poltergeist that haunts Room 237 is a woman named Lorraine Massey. Other than the big question of "what did it all mean," one of the most searched questions is "what was in Room 237, and what happened to Danny there?" Though that may be hard to answer since Kubrick strayed so far from the original content, the novel might offer a better insight, but it can't be leaned on too heavily since the movie is truly its own thing. Though the true meaning behind The Shining may never be known due to how cryptic Kubrick remained during interviews, that hasn't stopped the stream of internet searches and forums discussing some of the secret meanings and off-screen possibilities within the movie. There have been countless rumors, internet theories, and documentaries dissecting every second of the 1980 cult classic and world-renowned horror film. Kubrick’s inclusion of such a magazine seems extremely purposeful as “playing” will later become a consistent theme throughout the film.Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Stephen King's highly successful novel The Shining is something of an enigma.
Regardless of how it got there, though, either of these circumstances would be odd considering the graphic nature of the text. As his new employers approach, one could question why Jack would be reading such a magazine in their presence, and whether he brought it with him, or if it was reading material left out in the lobby by the hotel (as hotels are typically known to do). The inclusion of the magazine here is interesting to note, as it is one of a pornographic nature, putting it somewhat out of place in such a public setting. As the camera pans past the bustling workers to Jack, the viewer can notice the issue of Playgirl he is reading while seated in the lobby. Following an outdoor shot of the lodge, the scene crossfades inside, showing the hotel staff and janitors preparing to depart and close for the winter. Following an exacerbating long trek up the solitary drive to reach the lodge, Jack and his family reach their terrifying new abode and are introduced, simultaneously with the viewer, to the mysteries that lie inside. This scene stands as one of the most important developing scenes of the film and takes place after Jack has accepted his winter position at the hotel. While Stuart Ullman and Bill Watson take the Torrance’s on a tour of their new home, Kubrick leaves audio and visual clues of the terrors that await them throughout their stay. However, Kubrick uses the “closing day” where the lodge will board up for the winter, as a chance to familiarize the viewer with the scene and foreshadow many of the horrors to come.
As the dominant setting, The Overlook Hotel is introduced to the viewer in the first scenes during Jack Torrance’s interview. Kubrick’s ability to weave delicate repeating themes throughout the over 2-hour-long runtime is a testament to his skill as a director and is most aptly seen in The Shining. Despite its notoriety as a horror film, Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining also deserves its praise as one of the most visually stunning films of all time.