Warner Bros. has something special for Thanksgiving, as Doctor Sleep, starring Ewan McGregor and Rebecca Ferguson, will give audiences an unexpectedly thrilling sensation of family, horror, and drama. Based on the bestselling novel by Stephen King, return to the past in this honest and hopeful perspective on addiction, second chances, and redemption.
Scarred by the trauma he endured as a child, Dan Torrance (McGregor) has fought to find some semblance of peace. But that peace is shattered when he encounters Abra (Kyliegh Curran), a courageous teenager with her own powerful “shine.” Abra has sought him out, desperate for his help against the merciless Rose the Hat (Rebecca Ferguson) and her followers, The True Knot.
Here are 5 reasons why Doctor Sleep should be your Thanksgiving movie:
5) Rebecca Ferguson!
A tour de force performance, Rebecca Ferguson is all in as the antagonist, Rose The Hat. At Villain Media, we root for the Big Bad and Ferguson just embodies the character’s gleeful menace through her mannerisms and wardrobe. When Rose the Hat threatens Abra (Curran), Ferguson is just spot-on with the line delivery.
4) Kyliegh Curran!
It’s interesting how Abra is supposed to be the opposite of Dan. While McGregor embodies the reluctant hero, Curran matches his chemistry as the stoic and forthright heroine. In a career-making performance, Curran imbues her Abra with smarts, toughness, and self-awareness.
3) Jocelin Donahue!
Lucy Stone (Jocelin Donahue) is a reflection of what Dan wanted from his mother, Wendy Torrance (Alex Essoe). Lucy gives Abra the acceptance, the kindness, and sympathy to support her gift. Donahue beautifully portrays the struggle of motherhood as Lucy tries to make the right decision for her daughter; knowing whatever she says and does empowers Abra’s future.
2) Alex Essoe!
Continuing the theme of motherhood, Alex Essoe wonderfully portrays Wendy’s struggle of a single parent raising a child after a tragedy. Wendy (Essoe) knows young Danny (Roger Dale Floy) is traumatized from what happened at the Overlook, offering him so much love and sympathy. There’s this sadness portrayed on Essoe’s facial expressions because Wendy knows there’s no end date for mourning.
1) A Worthy Sequel!
Just like with The Haunting of Hill House, writer/director Mike Flanagan displays his adoration for the source material and provides the character development, along with the effective scares for Doctor Sleep. With impressive visuals, Doctor Sleeps confidently holds itself together as a spell-binding multi-character drama.
Doctor Sleep is now in theaters everywhere.