Room 237 is a fascinating, thought-provoking documentary that delves into the multi-layered narrative of Stanley Kubrick's horror masterpiece, The Shining. Rather than offering a conventional analysis of the film, the documentary takes an unconventional approach by giving voice to five different theories that have been suggested over the years about the hidden meanings, symbolism, and subtext in The Shining.
The film starts with an introduction to the five theorists, whose voices we hear throughout the documentary, but whose faces are never shown. Each commentator brings a unique perspective to the table and supports their argument by citing specific scenes, motifs, and symbols in the movie. The five main theories are:
1. The Holocaust Theory: this interpretation suggests that The Shining is a metaphor for the Holocaust, with the ghosts and supernatural elements representing the victims of the genocide, and the Overlook Hotel symbolizing the concentration camps.
2. The Native American Theory: this view postulates that the movie is a commentary on the genocide of native Americans, with the hotel built on top of an Indian burial ground, and the blood-spilling associated with the slaughter of native tribes.
3. The Illuminati Theory: this interpretation claims that Kubrick was using The Shining to reveal his insider knowledge of a global conspiracy involving secret societies and power elites.
4. The Moon Landing Theory: Some conspiracy theorists believe that Kubrick was hired by the government to create fake footage of the Moon landing, and that The Shining contains hidden clues to suggest he was involved.
5. The Freudian Theory: this theory provides an insight into the subconscious mind of the film's director, with interpretations of the film as a manifestation of Kubrick's various psychological neuroses, especially his Oedipal complexes, castration anxieties, and incestuous desires.
Using reinterpreted film clips, stock footage, still photographs, and animation, these theories are unpacked in detail, with insightful observations and fascinating analysis. The documentary is as much a tribute to the film as it is an exploration of its hidden meanings, with visually stunning sequences that offer a unique perspective on the film.
Room 237 is an engaging, thought-provoking, and visually captivating documentary that will appeal to both fans of The Shining and those interested in film theory, conspiracy theories, and cultural analysis.