The Shining
Haunted by a persistent writer's block, the aspiring author and recovering alcoholic, Jack Torrance, drags his wife, Wendy, and his gifted son, Danny, up snow-capped Colorado's secluded Overlook Hotel after taking up a job as an off-season caretaker. As the cavernous hotel shuts down for the season, the manager gives Jack a grand tour, and the facility's chef, the ageing Mr Hallorann, has a fascinating chat with Danny about a rare psychic gift called "The Shining", making sure to warn him about the hotel's abandoned rooms, and, in particular, the off-limits Room 237. However, instead of overcoming the dismal creative rut, little by little, Jack starts losing his mind, trapped in an unforgiving environment of seemingly endless snowstorms, and a gargantuan silent prison riddled with strange occurrences and eerie visions. Now, the incessant voices inside Jack's head demand sacrifice. Is Jack capable of murder?
Despite a mid-range budget of $19.0M, The Shining became a solid performer, earning $44.8M worldwide—a 136% return.
6 wins & 9 nominations
Roger Ebert
"Kubrick delivers a cold, Gothic, frightening film—a film that makes us uncertain if supernatural forces are at work, or simply madness."Read Full Review
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Shining (1980) exhibits meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Stanley Kubrick's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 26 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 4.5, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jack Torrance drives through the mountains for his interview at the Overlook Hotel. Establishing the ordinary world: Jack is a recovering alcoholic and struggling writer seeking a fresh start as winter caretaker.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 23 minutes when Danny has a traumatic vision in the bathroom: blood flooding from the elevator, the Grady twins murdered in the hallway. Tony (Danny's psychic guide) warns "Don't go there." The hotel's malevolent force disrupts their normalcy.. At 16% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 33 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The final staff members leave. The Torrances are now completely alone in the Overlook. The road out is snowed in, isolating them for the winter. Jack actively chose this—no turning back. Act Two begins in true isolation., moving from reaction to action.
At 66 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Notably, this crucial beat Jack encounters the ghostly bartender Lloyd in the Gold Room and desperately confesses he'd "give anything for a drink." False victory: he gets free drinks, feels empowered. But this marks his full surrender to the hotel's influence. Stakes raised—Jack is no longer fighting., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 100 minutes (68% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Wendy discovers Jack's insane manuscript and confronts him. Jack explodes in rage: "I'm not gonna hurt you... I'm just gonna bash your brains in!" Wendy fights back, knocks Jack unconscious, and locks him in the pantry. Hope collapses—the father/husband is now the monster., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 107 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 73% of the runtime. Jack is freed from the pantry by supernatural forces. Armed with an axe, he begins hunting his family. "Wendy, I'm home!" Synthesis of information: the hotel has fully possessed Jack; he has become Grady. Act Three horror begins., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Shining's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Shining against these established plot points, we can identify how Stanley Kubrick utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Shining within the drama genre.
Stanley Kubrick's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Stanley Kubrick films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 5.3, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. The Shining takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Stanley Kubrick filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Stanley Kubrick analyses, see Eyes Wide Shut, Spartacus and 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jack Torrance drives through the mountains for his interview at the Overlook Hotel. Establishing the ordinary world: Jack is a recovering alcoholic and struggling writer seeking a fresh start as winter caretaker.
Theme
Ullman warns Jack about the previous caretaker, Charles Grady, who suffered a "complete mental breakdown" and killed his family. "He ran amok and killed his family with an axe." This states the theme: isolation can drive men to violence.
Worldbuilding
Setup establishing the Torrance family, Jack's writing ambitions, Danny's psychic abilities ("the shining"), Wendy's supportive but anxious nature, and the vast, labyrinthine Overlook Hotel. The hotel tour reveals its dark history and isolated location.
Disruption
Danny has a traumatic vision in the bathroom: blood flooding from the elevator, the Grady twins murdered in the hallway. Tony (Danny's psychic guide) warns "Don't go there." The hotel's malevolent force disrupts their normalcy.
Resistance
Closing Day: The family settles into the hotel. Dick Hallorann (the cook) recognizes Danny's psychic gift and explains "the shining." He warns Danny about Room 237 but offers guidance: "You can't hurt me. We're just talking." Preparation for isolation.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The final staff members leave. The Torrances are now completely alone in the Overlook. The road out is snowed in, isolating them for the winter. Jack actively chose this—no turning back. Act Two begins in true isolation.
Mirror World
Danny plays in the hallway and encounters the ghostly Grady twins who invite him to "play with us forever and ever." This B-story represents the hotel's supernatural influence—the thematic mirror showing innocence versus corruption.
Premise
The promise of the premise: psychological horror unfolds. Jack's writer's block worsens, Danny's visions intensify, Wendy grows increasingly anxious. "A Month Later" / "Tuesday" / "Thursday" title cards show time passing. Jack explores the hotel, sits listlessly, becomes irritable.
Midpoint
Jack encounters the ghostly bartender Lloyd in the Gold Room and desperately confesses he'd "give anything for a drink." False victory: he gets free drinks, feels empowered. But this marks his full surrender to the hotel's influence. Stakes raised—Jack is no longer fighting.
Opposition
Jack's sanity deteriorates rapidly. Danny is attacked by the woman in Room 237. Jack meets Grady's ghost who tells him he must "correct" his family. Wendy discovers Jack's manuscript: pages of "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Isolation intensifies; antagonistic forces close in.
Collapse
Wendy discovers Jack's insane manuscript and confronts him. Jack explodes in rage: "I'm not gonna hurt you... I'm just gonna bash your brains in!" Wendy fights back, knocks Jack unconscious, and locks him in the pantry. Hope collapses—the father/husband is now the monster.
Crisis
Dark night: Wendy and Danny are trapped. Jack is locked in the pantry but Grady's ghost releases him. Hallorann senses Danny's psychic distress and begins the long journey back to the hotel. The family unit has died; terror reigns.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jack is freed from the pantry by supernatural forces. Armed with an axe, he begins hunting his family. "Wendy, I'm home!" Synthesis of information: the hotel has fully possessed Jack; he has become Grady. Act Three horror begins.
Synthesis
The finale: Jack axes through the bathroom door ("Here's Johnny!"). Hallorann arrives but is immediately killed by Jack. Wendy and Danny flee into the hedge maze. Jack pursues Danny through the snow. Danny uses his intelligence to backtrack in his footprints, escaping. Jack freezes to death in the maze.
Transformation
Final image: A photograph from July 4th, 1921, showing Jack Torrance in the middle of a hotel party—decades before he was born. Transformation reveals the cycle: Jack has always been part of the Overlook. The hotel wins. Corruption complete.