Mike Flanagan's "DOCTOR SLEEP"

Movie review (theatrical release) by Dennis D. McDonald

I have never seen Kubrick‘s SHINING nor have I read King’s original or follow up novels. The second of these novels, 2013’s DOCTOR SLEEP, is the foundation for this movie.

Would I appreciate this movie without more background? In recent years I have gained increased respect for King’s fiction writing. I enjoyed the recent IT movie sequel. Plus, I was intrigued that Ewan McGregor stars in Dr. Sleep. His work in films such as SON OF A GUN I much admire.. So off I went with Charlie on a Tuesday night movie excursion.

I’m glad I did. While I’m not really a fan of so-called “horror“ movies I must say that Doctor Sleep is an exceptional production. It skillfully interweaves realistic characters and their all to real foibles with otherworldly fantasy and evil. I’ve come to appreciate that interweaving as a hallmark of King’s writing.

The manner in which this movie juxtaposes humanity with fantastic evil is intelligently and occasionally beautiful handled. Praise is due to Director Mike Flanagan for how he orchestrates this without succumbing to overuse of jump scares or gore.

What further propels this movie beyond average is how it is produced and photographed. Physical locations and settings are beautifully crafted and photographed. Widescreen framing in both indoor and outdoor shots is elegant. The main characters are superbly acted, with special praise due Kyliegh Curran for a competent and professional handling of the adolescent girl pursued by Rebecca Ferguson as the evil Rose the Hat.

This is definitely a movie I want to see you again. Its main story outline may seem “typical Stephen King horror” but, as with King’s masterful writing, there are layers here that might be missed on first viewing. Recommended.

Above review copyright (c) 2019 by Dennis D. McDonald

Addendum based on seeing the Directors’ Cut (July 13, 2020) copyright 2020 by Dennis D. McDonald:

I finally got around to watching the director’s cut of DR. SLEEP. My initial reaction to seeing the theatrical version when first released had already been quite positive. I was therefore curious about what an additional 30 minutes would do, if anything.

I am pleased to write that Mike Flanagan’s additions are very positive. We get a much more complete understanding of the characters’ backstories as well as better insights into character motivations.

While I have not read any of Steven King’s source material on which Kubrick’s THE SHINING and DR. SLEEP are based, I sense that Flanagan has done an exemplary job of expressing the complexities of personality and character that author King is capable of.

Based on DR. SLEEP and IT 2 these are good days for rendering King on the big screen. As good a writer as he his, it also takes real talent to get his stories across cinematically. DR. SLEEP is one of the best examples I’ve seen even as the director channels the look and dynamics of Kubrick‘s movie vIsion.

I was again impressed by Ewan McGregor’s work in DR. SLEEP. I am convinced he is one of the most flexible film actors working today as evidenced by his work here and in his portrayal of the demented and diabolical boss in BIRDS OF PREY.

Yes, there are times in DR. SLEEP when one must avert one’s eyes, especially the murder of Baseball Boy. Despite such depravity, one also can’t help but acknowledge that, despite incorporation of supernatural elements as motivators for such horror, we already see much horror playing out daily on our TV screens as displays of public murder are repeatedly shown.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons that King has had such a long and successful career: no matter how fantastical his stories, at the end of the day he is still holding up a mirror to reflect the real horrors of which humans are capable.