SHINING and Its Creepy and Unresolved Ending

SHINING and Its Creepy and Unresolved Ending

The ending of The Shining is famous for its ambiguity and has given rise to numerous interpretations and theories over the years. Here are some possible solutions and explanations to the film’s mysterious conclusion:

Jack is Trapped in the Overlook Hotel:

One of the most widespread theories is that Jack Torrance, played by Jack Nicholson, remains trapped in the Overlook Hotel, becoming part of its “spirit” or evil essence. The final photo from 1921, showing Jack at a past party, suggests that the hotel absorbed his soul, making him part of its history and the cycle of violence perpetuated within.

Jack is the Reincarnation of a Previous Guest:

Another popular theory is that Jack Torrance is the reincarnation of a man who had already lived or worked in the hotel. The ghost of Delbert Grady, the former caretaker who killed his family, tells Jack that he “has always been the caretaker.” The 1921 photo might represent a past life of Jack, in which he experienced a similar cycle of violence.

The Overlook Hotel Manipulates Time:

The ending may suggest that the Overlook Hotel exists in a sort of temporal limbo, where past, present, and future intertwine. The 1921 photograph with Jack could be an example of how the hotel manipulates time and captures the souls of those who succumb to its influence.

The Photo Represents Jack’s Madness:

Some interpret the photograph as a manifestation of Jack Torrance’s growing madness. Rather than being proof of a supernatural link to the hotel, it could be seen as a symbolic representation of his descent into insanity, where he loses his identity and merges with the dark history of the Overlook.

Jack Has Always Been There:

According to this theory, the photograph represents the idea that Jack was destined for this role from the beginning. The concept is that the hotel, as an evil entity, attracts and “recycles” people to repeat acts of violence, and Jack is just the latest in a long line of caretakers who have succumbed to madness.

The Possession Theory:

Another possible interpretation is that the hotel possessed Jack, taking control of his mind and driving him to homicidal madness. The final photo represents the moment when Jack, now fully possessed by the hotel, is welcomed among the “spirits” that inhabit the Overlook.

Everything Is a Product of Jack’s Mind:

Another theory is that everything that happens in the hotel, including the final photo, is the product of Jack Torrance’s sick mind. According to this interpretation, there is nothing supernatural: the Overlook is not haunted, but Jack, suffering from mental illness, imagines all the terrifying experiences.

Jack as a Representation of Eternal Evil:

In this interpretation, Jack represents eternal evil that repeats cyclically. His presence in the 1921 photo suggests that evil exists independently of time and space, and the hotel is a place where evil is reproduced from generation to generation.

The Time Reversal Theory:

Some have suggested that the photo could indicate a time reversal or a time loop, where Jack’s present is “shifted” into the past, making him part of the hotel’s history. In this scenario, Jack is neither reincarnated nor possessed, but rather time itself is manipulated.

These interpretations reflect the richness and complexity of the film, which continues to spark debates and discussions decades after its release. Kubrick’s lack of a clear explanation has allowed the movie to retain its mysterious allure, leaving audiences free to explore their own theories and conclusions.

CLICK HERE to watch the film’s last mysterious scene