See What ‘The Shining’ Characters Are Up To, 41 Years Later The Shining and it’s still one of the most haunting and masterful films in cinematic history. On May 23, 1980 The Shining hit theaters for the first time leaving audiences chilled to their bones. The film, which is famously adapted from the Stephen King book of the same name, follows Jack Torrance ( Jack Nicholson) as he becomes the winter caretaker of the vacant but haunted Overlook Hotel. Jack is accompanied by his wife Wendy ( Shelley Duval) and their son Danny ( Danny Llyod). After a brutal winter storm leaves the family stranded at the hotel, Jack slowly begins to lose his sanity, becoming a threat to both his wife and son.