Stephen King Approves Hulu Show Evoking Stanley Kubrick Vibes

Kidman-starring drama to Kubrick’s classic, and they have a point.

Throughout “Nine Perfect Strangers” season 2, there’s a clear homage to “The Shining.” The finale, in particular, features a scene where a crazed character named Martin chases Masha through the snow after a ghostly hallucination in a hotel. This sequence is reminiscent of the iconic ending of “The Shining,” where Jack Torrance hunts his wife Wendy through the Overlook Hotel before their final showdown in the snow. Even Stephen King himself acknowledges the similarities and isn’t too pleased with the Kubrick version, expressing his thoughts on the Threads platform.

King’s grievances stem from the changes Kubrick made in his adaptation of “The Shining.” The author found the portrayal of Jack Torrance as a madman from the beginning rather than a gradual descent into madness, along with the sidelining of Wendy Torrance, to be at odds with his original story. King shared his disappointment in an interview with Paris Review, criticizing Kubrick’s treatment of the characters and the overall emotional coldness of the film.

Despite King’s disagreement with Kubrick’s vision, the film’s enduring popularity is evident in the homage paid in “Nine Perfect Strangers.” While the author may not approve, the influence and appeal of Kubrick’s adaptation are still prevalent among audiences.