The Shining: The True Story & Real-Life Hotel Behind The Movie

The Shining is partially based on a true story, as the supernatural elements of Jack Torrance’s stay at the Overlook Hotel are inspired by a real haunting in Colorado. Stephen King’s The Shining tells the story of Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), a recovering alcoholic who takes a job as the caretaker of a historic hotel during its off-season. Jack, his wife, Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and their son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), move into the Overlook Hotel deep in the Colorado Rockies. Danny possesses “the shining”, a psychic ability that gives him insight into the hotel’s terrifying past, but they start to learn about the supernatural dangers that reside within.