Doctor Sleep
Doctor Sleep

Movie spotlight

Doctor Sleep

2002
Movie
108 min
English

While treating a policewoman for smoking, hypnotherapist Michael Strother has a telepathic vision of a young girl floating beneath the surface of a stream. The escaped victim of a ritualistic serial killer, the girl has become mute, and Michael is called upon by Scotland Yard to unlock the secrets she holds in order to catch a man who believes he has discovered the key to immortality.

Insights

IMDb7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes78%
Metacritic57/100
Google Users74%
Director: Mike FlanaganGenres: Horror, Drama, Mystery, Supernatural

Plot Summary

Years after the events of The Shining, Dan Torrance is still traumatized by his past. Now an adult, he struggles with alcoholism and a dissociative disorder, attempting to find peace. However, his life is upended when he encounters Abra Stone, a young girl with psychic abilities who is being hunted by a terrifying cult known as the True Knot.

Critical Reception

Doctor Sleep received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its respectful adaptation of Stephen King's novel, its suspenseful atmosphere, and the performances of its cast, particularly Rebecca Ferguson and Ewan McGregor. Audiences were also largely impressed, though some found its runtime lengthy and its horror elements less impactful than its predecessor.

What Reviewers Say

  • A worthy and compelling sequel to The Shining that balances supernatural horror with compelling character drama.

  • Praised for its atmospheric direction and strong performances, especially from Ewan McGregor and Rebecca Ferguson.

  • While some found it to be a slower burn than expected, most critics appreciated its dedication to King's source material.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's atmosphere and its connection to the original 'The Shining'. Many enjoyed the performances and the supernatural elements, finding it to be a satisfying continuation of the story. Some viewers felt it was a bit too long or that the horror aspects could have been more intense.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Saturn Awards for Best Horror Film and Best Supporting Actor (Rebecca Ferguson).

Fun Fact

Director Mike Flanagan deliberately avoided watching Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining' while making 'Doctor Sleep' to ensure his adaptation remained faithful to Stephen King's original novel.

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