The Shining is 40 years old this year and still thriving. The story was written by Stephen King and made into a movie by Stanley Kubrick. This movie centers around a family of three; Jack Torrance, played by Jack Nicholson; Wendy Torrance, played by Shelley Duvall; and Danny Torrance, played by Danny Lloyd. Most people have heard of this movie, but what makes it so popular? Why is it so scary? There is a very low amount of gore, and it doesn’t seem outwardly creepy, but it feels like there’s something in every corner that seems to be watching things go wrong.

At first, you can’t quite place your finger on what seems so creepy about it. After all, the shots of the mountains they’re driving up, the way the hotel is bustling with life when they first come in, seems so comforting. Peaceful, but busy at the same time. And when everyone leaves for the winter, it seems like the perfect place for the Torrance family. It’s big, with plenty of space for Danny to play and for Jack and Wendy to bond and grow closer, but nothing like that happens. Instead, Jack starts getting increasingly withdrawn and doesn’t want to be torn away from what he’s writing, seeming to hide it.

Strange things, however, start happening almost immediately to the Torrance family. Danny ends up bruised and visibly traumatized, Jack starts talking to ghosts, and Wendy is completely unaware anything is happening. This leads to Jack’s insanity and Danny’s trauma, which he ends up carrying with him all his life.

Most likely the scariest thing about this movie is the fact that, under the same circumstances, this could happen. What Jack goes through, where he goes to escape, and what he does in the end, is all acting but it is plausible. This movie is amazing, with very low gore. So if you’re looking for a movie to get spooked by during Halloween this year, you should definitely check it out!