Doctor Sleep: The Shining Sequel We Wanted… or Just Supernatural Fanfiction?

In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald dive into Doctor Sleep (2019) — the ambitious sequel to The Shining.

They kick things off with a listener comment on their Encanto hot takes, sparking a side discussion about pop music, lyrical depth, and Sabrina Carpenter’s evolution. From there, they transition into Stephen King territory, comparing Doctor Sleep to classics like The Green Mile and The Stand, and asking whether Mike Flanagan’s adaptation leans more toward supernatural thriller or character study.

Highlights include:

• 🌟 Jon and Donald’s reactions to Rose the Hat and the True Knot as villains.
• 🔮 The dynamics of Danny and Abra’s powers, and whether the movie should’ve focused more on Danny’s trauma.
• 🧩 World-building around “the Shine” and how the film explains psychic abilities.
• 🏨 A deep breakdown of the Overlook Hotel return, Easter eggs, and whether it demystifies Kubrick’s original masterpiece.
• 🥃 The bar scene with Jack and Danny — complete with haunting quotes that rival The Shining’s most famous lines.
• ⭐ Parallels between Ewan McGregor’s Danny and his later role as Obi-Wan Kenobi.
• 🎭 Final verdicts: what worked, what fell flat, and whether the director’s cut could elevate the film.

As always, expect hot takes, sarcasm, and a mix of film analysis with plenty of humor.