This Is Still the Scariest Scene in a Stephen King Movie

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Stephen King’s literary masterpieces have often been translated to film and television, creating countless scenes of sheer dread, but none as hauntingly memorable as a particular sequence in the 1980 adaptation of “The Shining.” Originally based on King’s 1977 novel by the same name, “The Shining” follows Jack Torrance (played by Jack Nicholson), a struggling writer and recovering alcoholic, who accepts the position as winter caretaker for the ominous Overlook Hotel during its off-season. As Jack, his wife Wendy (Shelly Duvall), and their son Danny (Danny Lloyd) attempt to turn their extended winter stay into something resembling a family vacation, they find themselves ensnared by the isolating atmosphere of the hotel and its unsettling supernatural forces, which gradually cause Jack’s behavior towards Wendy and Danny to grow more and more hostile.

In the course of a discussion with Delbert Grady, a former caretaker’s spirit at the Overlook hotel, Jack’s behavior takes a violent turn. Armed with an axe, he menacingly attempts to harm Wendy and Danny. During this chilling pursuit, Jack shouts another iconic phrase from Stephen King’s films, “Here’s Johnny!”, while trying to hurt Wendy. Even after more than four decades since its debut and numerous other remarkable adaptations of Stephen King works, the “Here’s Johnny!” scene in The Shining continues to be the most frightening moment in any Stephen King movie.

Why “Here’s Johnny!” Is Such a Terrifying Scene

In the thrilling narrative of The Shining, a story that embodies feelings of isolation, familial discord, and spectral hauntings, Jack, driven mad, resolves to punish Wendy and Danny in a manner reminiscent of Delbert Grady’s actions against his wife and daughters, decades prior. With the ferocity of a raging lumberjack, Jack violently hacks his way into the Torrance family’s suite at the Overlook Hotel. Enraged, he cries out with an unsettling cheeriness, “Wendy, I’m home,” as Wendy and Danny take refuge in the bathroom. Tragically, only Danny, being small enough, manages to flee through the window, leaving Wendy trapped. As Jack ruthlessly hacks his way into the bathroom, he emerges from the hole, uttering his iconic phrase, “Heeeeeere’s Johnny!

For me, the chilling line and eerie scenes in “The Shining” have left a lasting impression for numerous reasons, but it’s the creeping dread they evoke after almost two hours of backstory that truly stands out. What makes this scene particularly haunting is not just the supernatural elements, but also the portrayal of Jack Torrance, a character whose descent into madness and violence is both terrifyingly real and long-awaited.

Initially struggling with alcoholism and a strained marriage, Jack’s darker side had been simmering beneath the surface for years. However, it wasn’t until he was finally consumed by his true nature – an abusive husband and father, ready to strike – that we witness the heart-wrenching dissolution of the Torrance family in the film’s iconic “Here’s Johnny” scene. Jack Nicholson delivers an unforgettable performance as Jack Torrance, making this moment all the more impactful.

Stephen King Famously Dislikes Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining (& His Reasons Are Valid)

Although The Shining is widely recognized as a horror masterpiece and one of Stephen King’s best film adaptations, King himself was notably unimpressed with Stanley Kubrick’s version. A significant portion of King’s disdain for Kubrick’s interpretation of The Shining stems from the depiction of Jack. In contrast to King’s portrayal of a troubled but kind-hearted man battling alcohol addiction and trying to be a devoted husband and father, Kubrick and Nicholson transformed Jack into a violent, enraged psychopath who shows little affection for his wife and son. Instead, he views them with annoyance and disdain until he ultimately turns against them. In King’s novel, however, Jack’s transformation is driven by the supernatural influence of the Overlook Hotel, where he attempts to harm Wendy and Danny. The movie version shows Jack as already unstable from the beginning and easily swayed by Grady’s suggestion that he should “correct” his family.

King’s criticism of Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of ‘The Shining’ is understandable, given his personal connection to the story as he based Jack Torrance on his own struggles with substance abuse during the novel’s writing. The redemptive aspect of Jack’s character in the book, where he regains control before the hotel explodes, was omitted in Kubrick’s version, replaced instead by a portrayal of Jack as a sociopathic monster driven mad by isolation and the influence of the Overlook Hotel. This is significantly different from King’s original vision, which was more faithfully represented in the 1997 TV mini-series and less so in Kubrick’s film adaptation, particularly in terms of Jack Torrance’s character development.

Why the Changes to The Shining Still Enhance the Terror of the “Here’s Johnny!” Scene

In the movie “The Shining,” Jack Torrance, unlike his novel counterpart, undergoes significant character changes that contribute to the impact of the iconic “Here’s Johnny!” scene. Although Jack has already been abusive towards Wendy and Danny before he fully descends into madness in the film, his behavior towards them is far from amiable. He had previously injured Danny during a drunken episode and treated Wendy with resentment and irritation throughout. His angry outbursts are not isolated incidents; they are signs of deep-seated anger that the movie portrays subtly but effectively. While physical abuse doesn’t occur until he grabs an axe, “The Shining” suggests that Jack was an abusive husband and father even before taking the job as the Overlook Hotel’s winter caretaker.

The “Here’s Johnny!” scene in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining effectively portrays the true terror stemming from abusive marriages hidden within the context of a haunting ghost story. Unlike the uncontrolled rampage depicted by Stephen King in his novel, Jack Torrance’s descent into madness is gradually shown as he becomes increasingly violent towards Wendy and Danny during their prolonged confinement at the Overlook Hotel. Instead of acting out on a single night of drunken rage, Kubrick’s portrayal illustrates Jack’s psychotic breakdown as his self-control slowly erodes over months. The haunting exclamation “Here’s Johnny!” serves as a chilling reminder of Jack’s transformation into a dangerous, tormented individual, ultimately revealing the dark reality hidden behind the isolation of the Overlook Hotel. Consequently, the scene stands out as the most terrifying in any Stephen King movie adaptation due to this well-crafted reinterpretation of Jack Torrance’s character.

You can rent The Shining on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, Apple TV, or Fandango Now.

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2025-08-24 01:41