Overlooked! A detail in The Shining that you’ve never seen

Overlooked!
A visual essay by Filippo Ulivieri

There’s something odd happening in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, a detail you probably didn’t notice. But it’s there, and it’s puzzling, and most of all creepy. What does it mean?

Many thanks to Michele Pavan Deana for his unfailing feedback.

Films used in the essay:
The Shining, directed by Stanley Kubrick, Warner Bros. ©1980
Home Alone, directed by Chris Columbus, 20th Century Fox ©1990
The Great Train Robbery, directed by Edwin S. Porter, ©1903
Annie Hall, directed by Woody Allen, United Artists ©1977
House of Cards, S3E06, Netflix ©2015
Amélie, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, BiM ©2001
Funny Games, directed by Michael Haneke, Concorde / Castle Rock / Turner ©1997

I believe all content used falls under the remits of Fair Use, but if any content owners would like to dispute this I will not hesitate to immediately remove said content. It is not my intent to in any way infringe on their content ownership.

[apollozed]

Shortly before making The Shining, Kubrick was studying the effects of subliminal images. The fact that Nicholson is making eye contact for just a frame or two is likely a way to subliminally unsettled the audience. In fact, the entire design of the movie's set was created to make no sense all to unsettle the audience without them consciously knowing why they were creeped out. This fits with Kubrick's innovative approach to horror.

[spuriouseffect]

You're exactly right. It's to make you feel like you're there, and he's aware of you. No wonder the film makes us feel so uneasy. Masterpiece.

[craig]

This is incredible. I never noticed this before. The freeze-frame shots of Jack looking into the camera are terrifying.

[FuzzyPuppetFactory]

I can't say I definitely noticed the glances at the camera, but I always got the feeling that we as the audience were viewing the actions through the eyes of the presence of the hotel itself.

[meredithcarroll]

I think you've nailed it with Nicholson doing this to give the audience the feeling that we aren't safe either. Having Jack and only Jack glance "at us, " even if it's so quick we probably won't consciously pick up on it, it sucks us into the film in the same way that the hotel has sucked him in. It wouldn't work if Wendy and Danny were also glancing at us because, even though Danny can see the ghosts in the hotel, neither of them are being ensnared as Jack is.

[mdschm]

It could be that the story is actually seen from the perspective of whatever the malevolent force is behind the hotel, and Jack is aware of its omnipresence, and acknowledging it, as if it is guiding his every step.

[GA-st]

I agree; Jack is too good an actor and it happens much too often not to be another cinematic "trick." He's not looking at us. It's more personal than that. He's looking at ME! That's an unsettling notion, and it makes one feel vulnerable. Nicely put together video!

[andresnavarro]

Never realised that Jack was looking at the camera until now.
Kubrick wouldn't let this happen if he didn't want it that way so it's clear that Jack is breaking the 4th wall, specially when he's chasing Danny.

The film gets scarier every time i discover something new about it, there's something so ambiguous about the whole film and every new detail just makes it more surreal and strange because it opens the door for other interpretations and implications.

Its like we never leave the hotel

[ANunes]

I always noticed Jack's eyes darting around a lot, struggling to maintain eye contact and figured it was done to show his general discomfort in his own skin. A part of his madness.

I wonder if the direction was "Constantly pick something else to look at. Like a mix between a prey animal worried about being stalked and a predator looking for its next meal." and these extremely brief glances at the camera were part of that. Any other director would have either not noticed or been worried about it. I can imagine Kubrick 100% noticing and going ... "That's actually really interesting and I don't know how it makes me feel. I'm leaving it in."

I'd honestly be shocked if it had a deeper, deliberate meaning.

Though that behind the scenes moment from the cooler has me second guessing myself.

[yossarian]

If Jack Nicholson ever gives another interview, someone should ask him. I think Kubrick did it to draw the audience into Jack's journey. It subconsciously involves the viewer, giving us a small window into his mind. It also shows we're a part of the events in a way the rest of the characters are not. Jack knows we're there, and he knows we see the ghosts too.

[theunsweetkarmaway]

I was a teenage boy who watched this film in the theater the year it was released. There was this constant sense of unease throughout, and I have watched it many times, viewed countless video essays, and explored the various things the film does to create that unearthly malaise. I think Jack's recurring glances at the camera may contribute to that. Whether by design or not, they give the sense, as you say, that there is an awareness of the audience, and he is the only one who has that awareness. One of the most unsettling things about The Shining, something that separates it from every other horror movie, is that when I watch it, even on TV, I feel immersed in it, as if I, too, am trapped in the Overlook. Perhaps Jack's glances at the camera contribute to that. Maybe on some subconscious level, my imagination is reading those glances as indicators of inclusion, as if Jack is reminding me that I'm stuck in this situation with him. Maybe that is why I feel immersed.

[TitenSxull]

Just when I thought I couldn't love Nicholson's performance more here's an entire layer of brilliance to it hiding in plain sight. Incredible work, this will undeniably change the way I watch this film!

[TwelveinchChewbacca]

Danny inherited the gift from Jack, but Jack's power was always focused inwards where it eventually turned to madness. But those glances are his power manifesting. He knows there are people watching him, judging him, and he sees them too. He becomes the ghost haunting the viewer.

[stevolopez]

Eye contact is the most important form of non-verbal communication. It makes you focus on the facial expressions and the emotional state. Because you are watching a movie or a television show, peering in on the dialogue or drama from different angles and none of the actors are looking at the camera, you are in essence doing it like an omnipresent being, which gives the viewer a sense of power. That's why when you are watching a horror flick, you aren't really that scared because you have a disconnect from all the action. By Jack Nicholson staring at you, it almost draws you into the movie... into his mind. You are seeing him go insane from the inside of his psyche almost. You've got to remember that this was Stanley Kubrick's first horror flick and he was really excited to do this movie and he put alot of research into the genre. He was always a master of using stares and what not from previous movies. I don't think its far fetched to think that all those stares were intentional to make a connection between Jack and you, the viewer, so you could see and feel him going insane. I think it was very intentional. He points it out in the fridge scene. Very good job pointing this out sir! I've seen alot of different videos and you are correct... none point this out like you do! Bravo!

[lisavandenhoven]

I was not expecting you to surprise me, because I have consumed so much content about The Shining. But you nailed it! I never noticed this detail consciously before, but now that you show the shots, I realize I recognize them, and on some level they all made me feel nervous.

[frankmirra]

Jack has that feeling he is being observed so he glances back. It's almost like he checking to see if the hotel is pleased with his actions.

[bradhart]

I think the most notable one you pointed out, with him leaving the apartment in a rage, is 100% no two ways about it, intentional. It is completely chilling...and feels emotionally charged and complex. There is a bit of a feeling of being caught out as a voyeur...ie he seems to be saying "what the f**k are you looking at, this is private"...but it also feels conspiratorial, like, "you know what I'm gonna do now, don't you". An invitation to follow him. I wonder if all the little peeks at camera are leading up to this moment...despite it not being the last example. After that, particularly in the maze, he seems to be confusing us with Danny.

[cubbies]

Brilliant essay. It’s amazing how many secrets this 43 year old film still holds. The still shots of Jack in the maze are terrifying

[markfromct]

Thank you sir. Your question: "Does that mean that I am a ghost too?" is on point in my opinion.

[bjornolfactory]

My interpretation of this would be not that Jack is coming for us. But that Jack knows we can easily become like him. Sort of a taunt on a way.