''Doctor Sleep'' (2019)

By Crusader1307

Horror Writer and genius Stephen King, once said that he was not a Fan of writing sequels to His ‘’Children’’ (namely, His Novels). But the generational success (to an almost Cult Pop societal status), coupled with many ‘’outstanding questions’’, caused Him to write ‘’Doctor Sleep’’ (2013). The resulting 2019 film is a direct sequel to his 1980 Classic ‘’The Shining’’. As is known, the original Film bore little resemblance to King’s Novel, which lead to King actually writing a Television Mini-series remake in 1997 (to correct some mistakes). Still, some elements were never fixed (owing to make the TV remake – even MORE scarier). Hence, ‘’Doctor Sleep’’ is meant to finally resolve many Fan question. VERY well made (despite some jaded Critics way nays), ‘’Sleep’’ picks up several months AFTER the horrific events of ‘’The Shining’’. Young Danny Torrence is still haunted by His ‘’Shining’’ (psychic abilities), and is taught thru the Ghost of The Hotel Chef ‘’how’’ to contain the many ‘’Evil Spirits’’ plaguing Him and His Mother.

In time, Danny (now ‘’Dan’’), grows up into a Man (who is stricken with the same disease of alcoholism and violence that His Father did). Finally disgusted with His life, Dan makes His way to New Hampshire to begin a simple life, never drinking again. But we are soon introduced to an evil Sect of ‘’Psychic Vampires’’, who use their ‘’Shine’’ to hunt down children with potential ‘’powers’’, only to kidnap and kill them after ‘’draining them of their energy’’. It is alluded that these ‘’creatures’’ are NOT immortal but live for hundreds – perhaps thousands of years. When they latch on to a young girl with powers similar to Dan when He was young, they plan to capture and kill Her. She uses Her power to reach out to a ‘’very strong source’’ of ability – which turns out to be Dan. Reluctant to help, but doing so eventually, Dan and the girl must eventually fight the Vampires at an old battleground Dan never thought He’d see again – the old Overlook Hotel (the very place that killed His Father). ‘’Doctor Sleep’’ is an excellent film, which recreates many of the ‘’familiar haunts’’ of the 1980 film, to such a degree that this alone is a ‘’delight’’. With plenty of ‘’jump scares’’, familiar creepy ‘’Shining’’ orchestrations and believable special effects, it is not a waste to sit thru close to 3-hours to see.