The Shining

The Shining, based on Stephen King's iconic novel, is a chilling miniseries that aired in 1997. Directed by Mick Garris and starring Rebecca De Mornay as Wendy Torrance, this adaptation delves deeply into the psychological horror at the heart of the story. The plot follows Jack Torrance, played by Steven Weber, a recovering alcoholic writer who takes up the job of winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel. As the harsh winter weather cuts them off from the rest of the world, Jack’s sanity begins to unravel, influenced by the supernatural forces residing in the hotel. Wendy and her psychically gifted son, Danny, must endure the escalating terror as Jack becomes increasingly unstable.

The 1997 miniseries adaptation of The Shining has received a mixed array of reviews from critics. On IMDb, it holds a rating of 6.1/10, reflecting a blend of appreciation and criticism. Critics from Rotten Tomatoes note that while the series is more faithful to Stephen King's original novel, it lacks the cinematic impact of Stanley Kubrick's 1980 film. The Chicago Tribune remarked, 'While it hews closer to King's vision, it occasionally feels like it stretches the material too thin over its lengthy runtime.' On the other hand, some viewers on Metacritic appreciate its detailed exploration of character development, particularly praising Rebecca De Mornay's performance as Wendy Torrance. Entertainment Weekly highlighted De Mornay's 'compelling portrayal of a mother trying to protect her son.' However, others found Steven Weber's portrayal of Jack Torrance less commanding than Jack Nicholson's iconic turn in Kubrick's film. In summary, while this adaptation offers a closer adherence to the source material, opinions on its execution remain divided.