Like any book adaption, Doctor Sleep has to make sacrifices when incorporating elements from the original novel. Somethings have to be removed, allowing for tighter pacing and tension for the film medium.
Because of this, certain narrative points lose weight and meaning that otherwise make far more sense in its written form. Whether it is expanded backstory, motivation, or what have you, there are a good deal of book references and plot points that only make sense if you read the original Stephen King novel. Be wary though; this article contains spoilers for both the film and book!
Why Grandpa Flick Dies
One of the most brutal sequences in the whole film is the death of Grandpa Flick. The oldest member of the True Knot (physically speaking anyway), dies abruptly, phasing in and out of his physical form.
The film blames this on nothing more than malnutrition and old age. In reality, Flick dies because the Baseball Boy they murdered and consumed carried a powerful strain of measles, infecting Flick and the others slowly but surely.
Snakebite Andi’s Motivations
Snakebite Andi is one of the more recognizable members of the True Knot, both in the film and book. Her transformation into a member of the immortal cult is the only one we witness through the story, showing the pain and loss of humanity that comes with it.
But it is her dislike and hatred of men that felt unexpanded on in the film. More of an afterthought, the added backstory of her abusive father, which can be read in the book, fully expands on Andi’s vendetta. In the film, it gets barely a mention in the grand scope.
Why Abra Call’s Dan Uncle
In a small throwaway line, Abra says that calling Dan her uncle makes sense in a way, but doesn’t really address why. In the book, she says its because all humans come from the same biological background, meaning everyone is related in some way (but especially the two of them because of their Shining).
But, it is revealed in the novel that the two share a whole lot more than their powers. It turns out, that Abra’s mother is Danny’s half-sister. Her mother attended the school where Jack Torrence taught (and was eventually fired from). Dan Torrence is Abra’s actual Uncle.
The Destruction of The Overlook
This is a connection to both the original Doctor Sleep novel and The Shining novel. In the original Kubrick film, the hotel remains intact, but deserted, which is how we find it in Mike Flanagan’s Doctor Sleep.
In King’s universe though, the hotel burns to the ground due to Jack Torrence’s possessed self, forgetting to maintain the boiler. In order to rectify King’s vision, Flanagan destroyed the Overlook Hotel in his sequel.
Abra’s Confrontation With Danny
Along with the burning of the Overlook, there was one change Stephen King was always upset about: the translation of Jack Torrence from page to screen. King always felt sympathy towards the character was lost in Kubrick’s film.
So, in the finale of Doctor Sleep the film, Flanagan chose to have the spirits possess Danny, who is then brought back by Abra. This exact scene, dialogue and all, occurs verbatim in The Shining novel between Danny and his father. Unless you read the book, you will not pick up on the subtle thematic notes Flanagan has added in regards to the book and film endings.
Dick Hallorann’s Grandfather
In the film, the spirit of Hallorrann returns to advise young, and old Danny. In one of their conversations, Dick mentions his evil Grandfather, who terrorized himself and his grandmother when he was a boy.
In the novel, Dick expands even further on the atrocities and horrors his grandfather afflicted. The funeral parlor owner abused Dick both physically and sexually, in sight of Dick’s parents. The description of this grandfather’s ghost is even more horrifying in the novel, as well. Readers of the book will instantly remember these horrors and understand the full weight of this moment.
Turning The World
In the film version, there are a handful of sequences where the world turns and moves, throwing characters with the Shining into disarray and transporting them somewhere else. It is a great visual that isn’t over-explained in the film but has a far greater presence in the novel.
The whole idea is expanded on in the book, explained as essentially being astral projection. Characters can swap bodies or transport themselves spiritually. While the film does a great job translating it, fans of the book still have an even more fantastical picture of it in their heads.
Bruce Greenwood’s Character
Bruce Greenwood is one of the most recognizable character actors working today. So, when audiences saw his little screen time, they might have been a bit confused. For book fans though, his character plays a much larger role.
Dr. John not only has a connection to Dan Torrence but to Abra as well. In the novel, he is Abra’s pediatrician, observing her supernatural abilities from a very young age. He also assists in the entire plot far more in the book. Though fans lost a lot of his presence in the film, the character was perfectly cast.
Rose The Hat’s Origins
Rose the Hat’s portrayal in the film is one of the best parts of the adaption. Rebecca Ferguson’s performance is electric and horrifying, solidifying the character as one of the best King villains ever brought to screen.
She also included a small aspect of the character that book fans will immediately pick up on. Ferguson gave the character a slight Irish accent. In the book, it is revealed that Rose the Hat grew up a poor wretch in Ireland.
The Fate of Danny’s Date
One of the most ghastly moments of the entire film has to be when Dan’s one-time lover Deenie returns from the grave along with her dead child. It is gruesome and disturbing, but knowing their true fate is even more tragic.
In the book, it is revealed that Deenie died in a ditch during a drunken and drug-fueled bender after her abusive brother accidentally murdered her son. This shocking bit of realism was left out from the film, but it wasn’t denied either.
