The Shining: King vs. Kubrick – A Chilling Divide

2025-05-30

In this episode of Terror Talk Podcast, we dive deep into the eerie world of The Shining — both Stephen King's original novel and Stanley Kubrick’s polarizing 1980 film adaptation. They share a title… but tell two very different stories. We compare and contrast the drastically different portrayals of Jack Torrance, the mystery of the Overlook Hotel, and how each version tackles psychological horror. No wonder King famously hated the film — and we unpack why.We also talk about how King’s book lays a fa...

In this episode of Terror Talk Podcast, we dive deep into the eerie world of The Shining — both Stephen King's original novel and Stanley Kubrick’s polarizing 1980 film adaptation. They share a title… but tell two very different stories. We compare and contrast the drastically different portrayals of Jack Torrance, the mystery of the Overlook Hotel, and how each version tackles psychological horror. No wonder King famously hated the film — and we unpack why.

We also talk about how King’s book lays a far stronger foundation for Doctor Sleep, and lightly touch on original documentaries that offer insight into Kubrick’s filmmaking process.

So grab your axe and your typewriter (but maybe not both), and join us for a fascinating, spooky analysis of one of horror’s most iconic stories.

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TikTok: @dark.psychology.girlsAll music for this episode is by Mannequin Uprising.

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