The shining

A family caretaking a remote, haunted hotel descends into madness and violence, as a father's supernatural possession threatens to destroy his wife and son.

See other logline suggestions

Overview

Poster
Unique Selling Point

The screenplay's unique selling proposition lies in its deep psychological exploration of madness and isolation, combined with supernatural elements that create an unsettling atmosphere. Its compelling character arcs and the gradual unraveling of Jack Torrance's sanity set it apart from typical horror narratives, making it a timeless piece that resonates with audiences seeking both psychological depth and horror.

AI Verdict & Suggestions

Ratings are subjective. So you get different engines’ ratings to compare.

Claude
 Consider
DeepSeek
 Highly Recommend
GPT4
 Highly Recommend
Key Suggestions
To enhance the screenplay for 'The Shining,' focus on tightening the pacing, particularly in the middle act, where some scenes feel repetitive. Additionally, further develop the thematic exploration of isolation, addiction, and the supernatural to create a more cohesive narrative. Refining dialogue in certain scenes will also help maintain authenticity and engagement, ensuring that character motivations are clear and compelling throughout the story.
Story Facts

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Drama, Psychological Thriller, Family, Mystery

Setting: Late 20th century, during winter, Overlook Hotel in Colorado, primarily in isolated snowy surroundings

Themes: Isolation and Madness, Family Dynamics, Supernatural Influence, Control and Power Struggles, Childhood Innocence and Trauma

Conflict & Stakes: Jack's descent into madness and violence threatens the safety of his family, particularly Wendy and Danny, as they struggle to survive in the isolated hotel.

Mood: Tense and foreboding, with moments of horror and psychological suspense.

Standout Features:

  • Unique Hook: The psychological unraveling of a father figure in a confined, supernatural setting.
  • Plot Twist: The revelation of the hotel's dark history and its influence on Jack's mental state.
  • Distinctive Setting: The Overlook Hotel, an isolated and haunted location that serves as a character in its own right.
  • Innovative Ideas: The use of psychic abilities as a central plot device, particularly through Danny's character.

Comparable Scripts: The Shining (1980), Misery (1990), The Haunting of Hill House (2018), The Others (2001), The Sixth Sense (1999), The Witch (2015), Hereditary (2018), The Babadook (2014), The Shining (novel by Stephen King)

Script Level Analysis

This section delivers a top-level assessment of the screenplay’s strengths and weaknesses — covering overall quality (P/C/R/HR), character development, emotional impact, thematic depth, narrative inconsistencies, and the story’s core philosophical conflict. It helps identify what’s resonating, what needs refinement, and how the script aligns with professional standards.

Screenplay Insights

Breaks down your script along various categories.

Overall Score: 7.79
To enhance the screenplay, focus on deepening Danny's emotional journey and his interactions with Tony, as this will create a more relatable character and heighten the emotional stakes. Additionally, refining dialogue to reflect each character's unique voice will elevate tension and character dynamics, making the interactions more engaging and impactful.
Story Critique

Big-picture feedback on the story’s clarity, stakes, cohesion, and engagement.

To enhance the screenplay, focus on refining character arcs and motivations, particularly Jack's descent into madness. Strengthening the emotional connections between Wendy and Danny will heighten the stakes and provide a more impactful contrast to Jack's transformation. Additionally, tightening the pacing by eliminating redundant scenes will create a more engaging narrative flow, ensuring that the tension builds effectively throughout the story.
Characters

Explores the depth, clarity, and arc of the main and supporting characters.

To enhance the script, focus on deepening the emotional complexity of the characters, particularly Wendy and Jack. Explore Wendy's past experiences with Jack's alcoholism to enrich her character and highlight her moments of strength. Additionally, emphasize Jack's internal struggles and motivations to create a more nuanced antagonist. This will not only elevate the emotional stakes but also provide a more compelling narrative arc for both characters.
Emotional Analysis

Breaks down the emotional journey of the audience across the script.

Goals and Philosophical Conflict

Evaluates character motivations, obstacles, and sources of tension throughout the plot.

To enhance the script, focus on deepening Jack's internal conflict and the psychological nuances of his descent into madness. This can be achieved by incorporating more subtle moments that showcase his struggle with ambition and vulnerability, allowing the audience to empathize with his character. Additionally, further developing Wendy's protective instincts will create a stronger emotional anchor for the audience, emphasizing the stakes of their familial dynamics amidst the horror elements.
Themes

Analysis of the themes of the screenplay and how well they’re expressed.

To enhance the script, focus on deepening the exploration of family dynamics and the psychological impact of isolation. By emphasizing the emotional struggles of each character, particularly Jack's descent into madness and Wendy's protective instincts, the narrative can create a more compelling and relatable tension. Additionally, consider integrating more subtle supernatural elements that serve to amplify the characters' internal conflicts rather than overshadow them, ensuring that the horror stems from both psychological and external sources.
Logic & Inconsistencies

Highlights any contradictions, plot holes, or logic gaps that may confuse viewers.

To enhance the script's emotional impact and coherence, focus on developing Jack Torrance's character arc more gradually, ensuring his descent into violence is well-motivated and believable. Additionally, clarify the timeline of Danny's supernatural experiences to maintain consistency and strengthen the narrative's tension. Streamlining repetitive dialogue about the hotel can also help maintain narrative momentum and keep the audience engaged.

Scene Analysis

All of your scenes analyzed individually and compared, so you can zero in on what to improve.

Scene-Level Percentile Chart
Hover over the graph to see more details about each score.
Go to Scene Analysis

Other Analyses

This section looks at the extra spark — your story’s voice, style, world, and the moments that really stick. These insights might not change the bones of the script, but they can make it more original, more immersive, and way more memorable. It’s where things get fun, weird, and wonderfully you.

Unique Voice

Assesses the distinctiveness and personality of the writer's voice.

To enhance the script, consider deepening the exploration of character backstories and motivations, particularly for Jack and Wendy. This could add layers to their interactions and heighten the emotional stakes. Additionally, maintaining a consistent tone of unease throughout the dialogue and descriptions will further immerse the audience in the psychological tension of the narrative.
Writer's Craft

Analyzes the writing to help the writer be aware of their skill and improve.

To enhance the screenplay, the writer should focus on deepening character development, refining dialogue for greater nuance, and improving pacing to maintain tension. Engaging with recommended resources and exercises will help in crafting more compelling narratives that resonate emotionally with the audience.
Memorable Lines

Spotlights standout dialogue lines with emotional or thematic power.

The script effectively incorporates memorable lines that enhance character development and tension, particularly Jack's iconic phrases that reveal his descent into madness. To further improve the script, consider deepening the emotional resonance of these lines by providing more context or backstory, allowing the audience to connect more profoundly with the characters' motivations and fears. Additionally, exploring the psychological implications of these memorable moments can elevate the narrative's impact.
Tropes
Highlights common or genre-specific tropes found in the script.
World Building

Evaluates the depth, consistency, and immersion of the story's world.

To enhance the script, consider deepening the exploration of the characters' psychological states in relation to the isolated environment of the Overlook Hotel. Emphasizing the contrast between the hotel's beauty and its dark history can amplify the horror elements and create a more immersive experience for the audience. Additionally, integrating more cultural references and societal dynamics can enrich character interactions and heighten the tension within the family unit.
Correlations

Identifies patterns in scene scores.

To enhance the emotional impact and tension in the script, focus on developing scenes that maintain a consistent tone, particularly in high-stakes moments. This will help to build emotional stakes and keep the audience engaged. Additionally, prioritize strong dialogue that contributes to character development, as this has proven to resonate well with viewers and elevate the overall narrative.
Loglines
Presents logline variations based on theme, genre, and hook.