Adapting Stephen King’s stories to the screen is always a gamble. While some adaptations, like many of the Children of the Corn sequels or The Mangler, are easily forgotten, others have become critical and commercial successes, such as The Shawshank Redemption and Andy Muschietti’s 2017 film It. King’s writing covers a wide range of genres – horror, science fiction, fantasy, and drama – which has drawn many talented directors and filmmakers to his work. Recently, Mike Flanagan has become well-known for his King adaptations, but even legendary directors like Stanley Kubrick have taken on his stories.
Stanley Kubrick directed the 1980 film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Shining. Widely considered a masterpiece, the horror film is famous for Jack Nicholson’s frightening performance and the iconic, haunted Overlook Hotel. For over 46 years, The Shining has remained influential, inspiring countless references in other films. Interestingly, Stephen King himself doesn’t like Kubrick’s version and has been vocal about his criticisms. He’s not the only one; acclaimed director Ridley Scott shares his negative opinion.
King Called ‘The Shining’ a “Beautiful Cadillac With No Motor Inside”
Stephen King has shared his issues with the film adaptation of The Shining, pointing out several changes he disliked. One example is Stanley Kubrick’s choice to keep the hotel intact, unlike the novel’s explosive ending. While King acknowledged the film’s visual beauty, impressive setting, and unique style, these positives were overshadowed by his criticisms. He famously compared the movie to a beautiful but ultimately unsatisfying car (as noted by Senses of Cinema), suggesting The Shining:
Imagine a stunning, classic Cadillac, but without an engine. You can admire the luxurious leather interior and relax inside, but unfortunately, it won’t go anywhere.
The author, Stephen King, wasn’t happy with how the character of Jack Torrance was portrayed in the film adaptation of his novel. While Jack Nicholson gave an amazing performance as a father who turns dangerous at a secluded hotel, King felt the character lacked depth and didn’t develop in a satisfying way. He explained that…
This character doesn’t undergo any meaningful development in the film. He starts off unstable and just becomes more erratic as the story goes on. The book, however, portrays him as someone battling with his mental health who ultimately succumbs to it – a truly tragic journey. The movie misses this because the character doesn’t actually change or evolve.
Warner Bros.
Stephen King strongly disliked how Shelley Duvall portrayed Wendy Torrance in Kubrick’s The Shining. He felt the character was consistently presented as a helpless victim, constantly fleeing from Jack while trying to protect their son. While Duvall’s performance is powerful, King believed it was a damaging and unfair depiction, even calling it insulting to women and explicitly labeling it as misogynistic.
Shelley Duvall’s character, Wendy, unfortunately embodies a lot of negative stereotypes about women in film. She’s largely defined by screaming and appearing unintelligent, which isn’t the complex character I intended to create.
Ridley Scott Believes “The Book Was Better”
Aidan Monaghan / © Paramount Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
Although Quentin Tarantino and others admire The Shining, not all famous directors loved Kubrick’s film. Ridley Scott, known for directing hits like Alien, Gladiator, and Blade Runner, didn’t hold back when discussing it, bluntly stating that Kubrick “messed around” with the story. He explained his opinion in an interview with Deadline.
To be honest, I preferred the book. Stanley really transformed the setting – the house, the atmosphere, and even the lighting – and I believe it’s King’s strongest work.
Scott, the author of the original story, felt Kubrick’s changes to the film were problematic, predicting it would face challenges. Like Stephen King, he acknowledged the film was a daring take on the material, but believed it deviated too much from what made the book special. He also thought these changes ultimately made the film less frightening than it could have been.
Stephen King’s novel featured a much more ominous and unsettling hotel, with the boiler room acting as a truly terrifying presence. Generally, boiler rooms are inherently creepy. In contrast, the recent adaptation opted for a bright, modern aesthetic, which I found puzzling and ultimately ineffective. It felt like an unnecessary challenge given how scary the source material was. The director didn’t fully embrace the iconic, chilling moments from the book, like the famous line, ‘You shine,’ delivered by Scatman Crothers, and that felt like a missed opportunity.
King Wrote the Next Screen Adaptation Himself
ABC
Stephen King was deeply unhappy with Stanley Kubrick’s film version of The Shining, so he took matters into his own hands and wrote the screenplay for a 1997 TV miniseries. This longer version of the story allowed him to fix what he saw as errors in the 1980 film and provide a much more thorough telling of the novel. King fleshed out Jack Torrance’s history, something he felt was missing from Kubrick’s adaptation, and portrayed Wendy as a stronger, more resourceful character. While many viewers still love Jack Nicholson’s performance, the 1997 miniseries is a more faithful adaptation of the book, offering a unique and satisfying experience.
ABC
Stanley Kubrick’s version of The Shining is known for being open to interpretation, which can be confusing for some viewers who prefer simpler stories. While some people are immediately compelled to rewatch the film and analyze its ending – especially the meaning of the final photograph – others find it doesn’t live up to expectations. The film’s enduring impact is evident in documentaries like Room 237, which delve into its rich symbolism and artistry, proving that even those who weren’t initially fans can appreciate its complex details and lasting legacy.
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Look, whether or not The Shining is my favorite horror film is totally a matter of personal taste, but it’s hard to deny it’s a masterpiece. It’s more than just interesting choices made during production; it’s the genuinely terrifying story, the stunning way it looks, that incredible score, and the actors who just nail their roles. Film buffs have been picking it apart for years, and fans keep revisiting it, even with Stephen King himself having issues with it. Honestly, even if some people side with the author’s controversial take, it just keeps the conversation going, and I’m pretty sure The Shining will continue to spark strong reactions for years to come.
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2026-02-19 23:04