'Doctor Sleep' Review

Apologies for the long hiatus. In October, my free time was consumed by either a trip to the cinema or anxious viewings of postseason Astros games. In fact, I've found myself often facing a similar dilemma throughout the year. There are a total of 29 2019 releases I've seen and neglected to review. Therefore, it was daunting for me to approach returning to write about them all. However, I developed an idea that will enable me to catch up efficiently.

I've decided to start summarizing what I watch every month in a new post format. I will continue writing reviews for major releases which I feel warrant thorough analysis. I'll relay my thoughts on the remainder in approximately a paragraph via a Reel Recap. The first few Reel Recaps will be divided into April-August, September, October, and November. Beginning with November, they'll be posted once-a-month at the end of each month or the beginning of the following month. As I start my career, I view this as the best way for me to maintain the blog going forward. To my readers, I appreciate your patience and hope you continue to follow along. Let's move on to the review now, shall we?

'Doctor Sleep' Review

Synopsis: Struggling with alcoholism, Dan Torrance remains traumatized by the sinister events that occurred at the Overlook Hotel when he was a child. His hope for a peaceful existence soon becomes shattered when he meets Abra, a teen who shares his extrasensory gift of the "shine." Together, they form an unlikely alliance to battle the True Knot, a cult whose members try to feed off the shine of innocents to extend their lifespan and become immortal.

Runtime: 151 minutes

MPAA Rating: R (for disturbing and violent content, some bloody images, language, nudity and drug use)

Who should see it? Adult fans of Stephen King and The Shining.

Written and directed by Mike Flanagan, Doctor Sleep joins the recent resurgence of feature-length Stephen King adaptations and legacy sequels by furthering the story of The Shining. Though The Shining is widely considered the most celebrated horror ever made, King infamously hated Stanley Kubrick's iteration, leaving Flanagan in a precarious position. How could he possibly follow up such an influential classic in a way that would satisfy fans of Kubrick's film and King's respective novels? It's a tall order, but Doctor Sleep bridges the gap between King and Kubrick.

Tonally and thematically, Doctor Sleep aligns with the world established by Kubrick. However, Flanagan differentiates from his predecessor by emphasizing the story's supernatural elements. The "shine" is explored in greater detail, but Flanagan also keeps a veil of mystery over these abilities while expanding the universe. He carefully treads along a fine line but leaves enough ambiguity to satisfy the audience's imagination. Thankfully, this approach is applied to The Shining's other cryptic details as well, so you needn't worry about unnecessary answers to 39-year-old questions. 

Some questions are best left unanswered, and I'm appreciative Flanagan recognized that. Of the lingering storylines, the predominant thread Flanagan tugs on is the manifestation of Dan Torrence's trauma. In his adult years, substance abuse helped Dan cope with that distressing experience. Now a recovering alcoholic, Dan must struggle to resist his father's trajectory as demons from his past resurface. Dan's journey is undoubtedly the film's most compelling narrative. Despite tempered expectations, I felt mixed about certain aspects. Much like It Chapter Two, the two-and-a-half-hour runtime is too long for the story being told. In that time, Doctor Sleep juggles plenty of plot and occasionally drags.

Though my primary qualm is that I wish Doctor Sleep were more standalone. In a drawn-out third act, Flanagan is over-reliant on homages to The Shining. They contribute to a cathartic resolution of Dan Torrence's arc but felt ham-fisted in select moments. A dialogue must exist between the two, but the conversation was too one-sided in the original's favor. It seems as though Flanagan was so indebted to The Shining's legacy, that he was reluctant to step out of its shadow. The iconic scene recreations are executed very well, and the production designers did a phenomenal job recreating pristine and rundown versions of the Overlook Hotel. Otherwise, the visual effects looked cheap and unrefined at times while The Newton Brothers' score encapsulated an eery atmospheric sound befitting of this sequel.

That said, Ewan McGregor turns in his best work in years exploring the tortured soul of Dan Torrence. McGregor's in the midst of a renewed career path, and I'm keen to see what he brings to an older Obi-Wan Kenobi in the upcoming untitled Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney+. On the flip side, Kyliegh Curran joins the ranks of young talent to keep an eye on. Curran portrays Abra with an assuredness well beyond her years, but also quickly reverts to the fear-stricken teen when the character's outmatched. The role's quite demanding, and she wholeheartedly steps up to the task.

As Rose The Hat (yes, her actual name), Rebecca Ferguson commands attention from the moment she arrives onscreen. The supernatural cult-leader makes for an alluring antagonist about as evil as the Overlook. It's a hypnotic performance, and her band of devotees is as creepy as they come. Concerning other cast, I'd rather not spoil anything. However, a renowned child actor's cameo caught me off guard and registered strongly with minimal screen time.

Fear not Shining fans, the original's legacy has not been "[de-]redrum." Between the gripping performances and quality filmmaking on display, Doctor Sleep proves itself more than worthy of carrying on that legacy. This sequel shines alright, but it could shine even brighter if it were whittled down in the editing room and less reliant on Shining imagery.

Film Assessment: B