Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Stephen King criticises Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of The Shining in new novel

The author still isn't a fan of the 1980 horror classic

Jacob Stolworthy
Tuesday 29 May 2018 14:30 BST
Comments
IT Trailer 2

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Stephen King has thrown fresh criticism at Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of his novel The Shining.

The US author, who famously dislikes the classic horror film, once described the 1980 release as “a big, beautiful Cadillac with no engine inside it” branding the director's version of Wendy - played by Shelley Duvall opposite Jack Nicholson's Jack Torrance - “one of the most misogynistic characters ever put on film.

While King remains a fan of Kubrick himself (he has deemed him “a terrifically smart guy” behind “some of the movies that mean a lot to me"), he has reignited his disdain for The Shining in the pages of his new novel, The Outsider.

According to IndieWire, it's noted in this new book how a character is watching Kubrick's 1957 war film Paths of Glory because it's “better than The Shining.”

Hollywood is still looking to King's works for inspiration at the box office, Just last year, there was a hugely successful adaptation of It which starred Bill Skarsgard as murderous clown Pennywise as well as a critically panned version of The Dark Tower which starred Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey.

There are currently six King projects in the works including a remake of Pet Sematary and It: Chapter Two which will star James McAvoy and Bill Hader.

The Outsider - which features a character from his previous novel Mr Mercedes - is available to own now.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in