About the film (courtesy of Warner Bros.):
Doctor Sleep is the continuation of Danny Torrance’s story 40 years after the terrifying events of Stephen King’s The Shining. Still irrevocably scarred by the trauma he endured as a child at the Overlook, Dan Torrance has fought to find some semblance of peace. But that peace is shattered when he encounters Abra, a courageous teenager with her own powerful extrasensory gift, known as the “shine.” Instinctively recognizing that Dan shares her power, Abra has sought him out, desperate for his help against the merciless Rose the Hat and her followers, The True Knot, who feed off the shine of innocents in their quest for immortality. Forming an unlikely alliance, Dan and Abra engage in a brutal life-or-death battle with Rose. Abra’s innocence and fearless embrace of her shine compel Dan to call upon his own powers as never before—at once facing his fears and reawakening the ghosts of the past.

Adaptions of the works of legendary author Stephen King have been relatively plentiful over the last few years, some of which have been enjoyable will others have been a chore to get through. Doctor Sleep is based on the 2013 bestselling novel of the same name. Mike Flanagan directs the continuation of a story first told in book form back in 1977 and from there it was made into the 1980 film directed by Stanley Kubrick that so many people remember.

From the time that the movie made its first appearance in theaters, Stephen King was never a fan. Still to this day, he has not been shy about making his feelings known regarding his displeasure of the late director’s vision. His feelings have been quite the opposite for this new movie, and whether it’s true admiration or just another stab at Kubrick’s work, he gives hopeful fans renewed hope for this new movie.

The first observation that could be made regarding Doctor Sleep is that the feel, the tone and the overall production is quite different when compared to The Shining (1980). This is a great thing since the psychological style of the first movie would not hold up well by today’s standards. It would be completely boring whereas this new story is full of energy, grit and satisfying mayhem.

I won’t go as far as to say that this is a horrifying movie, yet it does enough stick with the genre. Mike Flanagan is no stranger to building up suspense and then following through with a satisfying climax, and this is no different. Ewan McGregor does fine work in portraying a damaged older Dan as his character evolves into something more formidable.

Rebecca Ferguson is a good casting choice as Rose the Hate, the movie’s main villain. Ferguson can appear charming and loving one moment then rabid and ruthless the next. Young Kyliegh Curran holds her own surrounded by the veteran talents as she slowly begins to shine as the plot progresses. Cliff Curtis, Bruce Greenwood, Jacob Tremblay and Carl Lumbly are a few of the other supporting actors that you will most likely recognize. All of the actors involved perform admirably.

Doctor Sleep uses eerie familiar visuals that will invoke feels of discomfort and impending doom as this film does borrow a few things from its predecessor. And even at two and a half hours, the experience does not feel bloated in any way. Flanagan captures the true essence of the story that Stephen King was trying to tell and puts it in a very appeasing visual package.

From the captivating locales to the sinister score, this feature has a lot to offer for the eyes and ears. Overall, this is just a very well done piece of work. While the novel may not have received the accolades the first one did, this second movie is measurably better than the first for those not stuck on romanticizing the past. See it in theaters and leave the kids at home. Now playing everywhere.