“Doctor Sleep”

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran, Cliff Curtis

Director: Mike Flanagan

MPAA Rating: R

“The Shining” is a classic film and considered by many to be one of the greatest cinematic events of all time. Now there’s a sequel. Like its predecessor, “Doctor Sleep” is based on a novel by iconic author Stephen King, who provides a frightening experience comparable to the original. However, how can you successfully follow up a masterpiece like “The Shining”?

“Doctor Sleep” follows Danny Torrence, the boy from the first film, now an adult living in New Hampshire who helps out a young girl named Abra who also has the shining. However, trouble brews when a cult starts hunting down people with this particular ability. Danny, Abra, and his friend Billy now must hide, fight and run from the cult and the leader, Rosie the Hat.

The movie is wonderfully done and expands on some of the unanswered questions from the first film. Ewan McGregor gives a powerful performance as Danny Torrence. Additionally, Rebecca Ferguson is down right creepy as Rosie and is incredibly chilling in her performance.

“Doctor Sleep” does the job of a good sequel. It creates a new story with characters and elements from the first movie and isn’t a retelling of the original story but still loyal to it.

However, it must be said, watch “The Shining” before you see “Doctor Sleep,” otherwise it will be lost on you. So if you’re a fan of horror movies or Stephen King, this is a good movie choice for you.