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The Shining Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 4.0
    61

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally favorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 40

    out of 100

    Variety

    The crazier Nicholson gets, the more idiotic he looks. Shelley Duvall transforms the warm sympathetic wife of the book into a simpering, semi-retarded hysteric.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    Time Richard Schickel

    It is a daring thing the director has done, this bleaching out of all the cheap thrills, this dashing of all the hopes one brings to what is, after all, advertised as "a masterpiece of modern horror." Certainly he has asked much of Nicholson, who must sustain attention in a hugely unsympathetic role, and who responds with a brilliantly crazed performance.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    The New York Times Janet Maslin

    Meticulously detailed and never less than fascinating, The Shining may be the first movie that ever made its audience jump with a title that simply says "Tuesday."

    Read Full Review

  • 88

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    But there is no way, within the film, to be sure with any confidence exactly what happens, or precisely how, or really why. Kubrick delivers this uncertainty in a film where the actors themselves vibrate with unease.

    Read Full Review

  • See all The Shining reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 16+

Creepy suspense/horror film. Older teens plus.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that blood flows throughout this film -- literally -- in several notorious scenes. There are axe murders and decomposed bodies. The main character, a recovering alcoholic, slowly goes insane and aims to kill his family. He verbally abuses his wife throughout most of the film. There is some alcohol and cigarette use.

  • Families can talk about the relationship between fantasy and reality in the film. Do you find yourself confused about what's "really" happening at various points in the film? In what different ways could these scenes be interpreted?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Main character aims to murder his family.

What to watch for
  • violence false5

    Violence: Several axe murders, decomposed bodies; a child draws with blood.

  • sex false5

    Sex: Full frontal nudity.

  • language false5

    Language: Very strong.

  • consumerism false3

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Cigarettes and alcohol.

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 4.168
Read all reviews Write a review at Fandango
5

Speechless by Chickenlover/77
What can I say, one of the greatest horror movies of all time. I love the length of the movie, which allows for cuddling up a lot if you watch with your favorite person.

5

Review title (optional) by christosnyc
Review body (optional)

Read all The Shining reviews at Fandango
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