Perhaps one of the most famous modern horrors, if not liked by all, this film perhaps looks at the nightmare psychology of its characters more than any other on this list. Stephen King might not have liked what Stanley Kubrick did with his source text but the nightmare atmosphere that permeates the whole film, from the initial drive to the Overlook Hotel to the final maze chase, is an unforgettable one. Jack Torrance takes a job as winter caretaker at the Overlook with the aim of writing a new book and transplants his wife, Shelley Duvall, and telepathic son Danny into the snowy confines. As Jack succumbs to cabin fever, the nightmarish quality of the film takes hold as Jack screams in his sleep, Danny opens the door to Room 237 and the rapidly psychotic writer descends upon the Gold Room's costume party. The film is an intense piece which works best when focussing on the three primary individuals. Danny's tricycle rides round the corridors, Jack's 'all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy' manuscript and, of course, 'redrum'. It's when the psychopathy in Jack explodes with the axe attack that the nightmare of your loved one trying to kill you becomes real. Jack may spend his times in his dreams but he creates a nightmare for his wife and child as he stalks them through the snow swept hotel.
