weird, clue-filled film adaptation of The Shining.
The Outsider, based on a Stephen King novel published in 2018, premiered on January 12th on HBO and follows an investigation into a series of gruesome child killings. As detective Ralph Anderson (shape-shifting monster), is responsible not only for the death of the children but also for the horrible things that happen to their families.
While developing the premiere, in which a number of characters are killed, Bernstein and Bateman discussed how influential The Shining is for the show. In an interview with the HWR, Bernstein states that, “The Shining was a template for what we were trying to do.” Bateman then goes into more detail, talking about how the show aligns with the "impending-doom feel of The Shining." He also discusses how much of a Stanley Kubrick fan he is, lauding the late director's composition, camera, lighting, and music work. Overall, Bateman cites The Shining as a major inspiration for the HBO series, and there are clear distinctions as to why.
How The Outsider is Influenced by The Shining Movie
Although Stephen King is famous for being vocal about how much he hates Kubrick's film of The Shining, Bateman, who directs some of the episodes including the premiere, sought to replicate the intense atmosphere Kubrick brought to the movie. After all, The Shining is famous for its portrayal of Jack Torrance and his slow descent into madness. Bateman also discussed implementing a "certain kind of horror" for the show, one that is filled with dread, just like The Shining.
On top of that, Bateman and Bernstein both express a deep appreciation for Kubrick's film. For The Outsider, they talked about exploring the theme of where evil comes from. Does it come from within someone or is it caused by a corrupting outside evil? In The Shining movie, Jack Torrance loses his mind, but there is a certain ambiguity in that is never quite clear regarding if his sanity breaks because of his internal psychological struggle or if it's caused by the evil spirits at the Overlook hotel. Contrary to the novel, which makes it clear Jack has been possessed, Kubrick's film version adds this extra layer of uncertainty.
Whatever the case may be, it's clear Bateman and Bernstein are big fans of both Stephen King's work and Kubrick's vision of The Shining, and they've used The Shining as a guide for The Outsider. In the series, many characters appear to be going through a struggle very similar to what Jack Torrance goes through. The overlap is clear; King's work is alive and well, and continues to inspire the next generation of adaptations.
