Stanley Kubrick hailed The Shining as 'the scariest horror film of all
time' before its release in 1980. Though the film opened to poor
reviews, it has since become one of the most admired horror films in
cinema history. Exerting an enormous influence on popular culture, The
Shining has spawned a vast array of interpretations and conspiracy
theories.
Roger Luckhurst's illuminating study of this seminal film explores its
themes, tropes and resonances through a detailed analysis of sequences
and performances. Situating The Shining in a series of fresh contexts,
this book looks at the complex nature of horror cinema at the end of the
1970s and early 80s. Taking the maze of the haunted hotel as a key
motif, Luckhurst offers numerous threads with which to navigate the
strange twists and turns of this enigmatic film.
This limited edition features original cover artwork by Mark Swan, click
here to read a Q&A with him.