Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Well-made "Shining" sequel has intense violence toward kids.
Parents Need to Know
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Doctor Sleep
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 33 parent reviews
Parents say the film is a mixed bag for audiences, praised for its strong acting and storyline, especially appealing to fans of Stephen King and Stanley Kubrick, yet marred by extremely graphic violence, particularly against children, which many found disturbing and inappropriate. While some appreciated the depth of character development and overarching themes of redemption, others criticized the explicit scenes of child harm and the overall suitability for younger viewers.
- graphic violence
- strong acting
- mixed reviews
- suitable for teens
- disturbing content
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 35 kid reviews
Kids say that the sequel to the classic horror film offers plenty of violence and disturbing scenes, particularly involving children, which may not sit well with all viewers. While some praise its adaptation qualities and pacing, others find it less scary and criticize the excessive gore and change in character dynamics compared to the original film.
- disturbing content
- sequel quality
- varied opinions
- graphic violence
- character changes
- horror adaptation
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In DOCTOR SLEEP, Danny Torrance and his mother escape the Overlook Hotel after the events of The Shining and try to move on with their lives. But Danny is still haunted by the spirits from that place. So Dick Hallorann appears and teaches Danny how to lock the spirits away. Years later, Danny (Ewan McGregor) has become an alcoholic and a drifter. He arrives in a small town, where Billy Freeman (Cliff Curtis) helps get him a job as an orderly in a hospital and takes him to AA meetings. Soon Danny is contacted by young Abra Stone (Kyliegh Curran), who "shines" in a very strong way. Unfortunately, Abra has also attracted the attention of Rose (Rebecca Ferguson), an evil being who travels with a pack of ageless followers and eats the essence of those who "shine." Can Danny help Abra before it's too late?
Is It Any Good?
While it could never compare to Stanley Kubrick's original, this sequel is a leisurely, likable mix of character development and effective scares, though it's marred by intense violence toward kids. Based on Stephen King's novel and written and directed by Mike Flanagan, Doctor Sleep tackles its most difficult obstacle -- attaching itself to The Shining -- admirably. Flanagan, whose previous King adaptation Gerald's Game was also very strong, uses a few quick clips from Kubrick's film but mostly re-films it, using lookalike actors. This points the focus toward the new story, which McGregor carries nicely with a strongly sympathetic performance. Scenes of Danny at work, sitting with patients who are about to die (and earning his nickname "Doctor Sleep") are wonderfully tender.
Additionally, young Curran displays great strength and screen presence, and she and McGregor make a fine pair. Ferguson's villain is a little one-dimensional, but she plays the role with an infectious joy and sensuality. Already a horror expert, Flanagan delivers a few truly spooky moments, sometimes inspired by the original but frequently his own. Even the movie's long runtime tends to add depth rather than make it feel bloated. But while Doctor Sleep is mostly worth seeing, it crosses a line when it depicts the villains' ruthless violence toward kids; the screaming of skilled young actor Jacob Tremblay will cause most viewers' blood to run cold.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Doctor Sleep's violence. How did it make you feel? Do the scenes involving children cross a line? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
How does the movie depict drinking? What consequences does Danny face for drinking? How does he deal with it?
How does Doctor Sleep compare to the movie The Shining? How does it compare to the novel?
Is the movie scary? What's the appeal of horror movies?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 8, 2019
- On DVD or streaming : February 4, 2020
- Cast : Ewan McGregor , Rebecca Ferguson , Kyliegh Curran
- Director : Mike Flanagan
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Book Characters
- Run time : 151 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : disturbing and violent content, some bloody images, language, nudity and drug use
- Last updated : December 30, 2025
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