It's never really confirmed one way or another if there's supernatural stuff going on in The Shining, but there are some pretty strong clues. Yes, you can explain away most of what Wendy, Danny, and Jack see as hallucinations. And yes, maybe it's just a coincidence that Mr. Hallorann comes running from hundreds of miles away when Danny needs help.
But what about the part where a ghost apparently lets Jack out of the food storage closet? Or what about the bruises on Danny's neck? Whatever way you slice it, the evidence overwhelmingly says that there's something more than just madness going on at the Overlook Hotel.
Questions about The Supernatural
- In your opinion, what's the most "supernatural" thing that happens in this movie? Why?
- What actually happens to Danny when he visits room 237? How do we know or not know?
- Which characters have horrifying visions in this movie? Which ones don't?
- How do you think Jack really gets out of the food storage closet? Why?
Chew on This
In The Shining, Stanley Kubrick always keeps us guessing about the boundary between madness and the supernatural.
One of the creepiest things about The Shining is that we're never really sure of what's real and what's not.