Few films have left as indelible a mark on horror movies as Stanley Kubrick's iconic masterpiece, The Shining. Despite Stephen King and Kubrick not agreeing creatively on the 1980 adaptation, the film continues to haunt audiences with its eerie atmosphere, unforgettable performances, and chilling storyline. One of the standout performances that made the haunted hotel flick the classic it is today came from actress Shelley Duvall, who portrayed Wendy Torrance.
Duvall sadly passed away at the age of 75 in July 2024, but spoke out about her harrowing experiences behind the scene while making of this cinematic gem. Let's dive into the story behind the beloved actress' intense experience filming The Shining, as well as the unfortunate toll it took on her.
A Push Into Madness
Known for his meticulous and often obsessive filmmaking style, the Lolita director was known for pushing his actors to their limits. Shelley Duvall's experience would prove this reputation to be more than accurate. In her portrayal of Wendy Torrance, she had to tap into a profound reservoir of fear and anxiety—a challenge Stanley Kubrick approached with utmost seriousness.
In 2022, The Mirror reported that the Roxanne star openly discussed her ordeal in David Hughes' book, The Complete Kubrick, revealing the emotional toll of sustaining such a high level of distress. She candidly shared at the time:
From May until October, I was really in and out of ill health because the stress of the role was so great. Stanley pushed me and prodded me further than I've ever been pushed before. It's the most difficult role I've ever had to play.
Duvall's portrayal of a terrified mother fighting to shield her son from her husband's descent into madness remains one of the film's most haunting and unforgettable elements. Sadly, the actress herself remained haunted by the experience, but in a mental and emotional sense, as opposed to anything supernatural.
All Work And No Play: The Baseball Bat Scene
One of the most unforgettable moments in the iconic horror flick is the baseball bat/stairs scene. Here, the Popeye alum’s character finds herself in a harrowing standoff with her crazed husband,o ne of the best '80s horror villains, Jack Torrance, portrayed brilliantly by Jack Nicholson. As Nicholson's character approaches her with fury in his eyes, he delivers the haunting lines: "Wendy, darling, light of my life! I'm not gonna hurt you. You didn't let me finish my sentence. I said I'm not gonna hurt ya. I'm just gonna bash your brains in. I'm gonna bash 'em right the fucking in! [laughs]."
In a 2021 career retrospective by THR, the now-reclusive actress requested that the interviewer revisit this scene. Watching her 30-year-old self opposite Nicholson for the first time in decades, Duvall became visibly upset. As tears welled up in her eyes, the interviewer asked her why she was crying, to which she later responded:
Because we filmed that for about three weeks. Every day. It was very hard. Jack was so good — so damn scary. I can only imagine how many women go through this kind of thing.
Her performance is no doubt one that some female viewers could find comfort in watching, knowing that she inevitably outlasts the Outlook's horrors, both ghostly and only too human.
The Intensity On Set
The “Here’s Jack/Axe scene,” one of horror’s scariest moments, was particularly brutal to film. It involved Jack violently breaking through a bathroom door as Wendy tried to escape through a tiny window. Shooting this scene took three full days, with Shelley repeatedly delivering intense hysteria to meet Stanley’s standards.
Astoundingly, critics panned the 3 Women alum’s emotionally charged performance upon the film’s release, calling it “comically exaggerated," erroneously winning her a Golden Razzie award, which the organization has since rescinded.
In an interview with Roger Ebert, the actress discussed this criticism:
Jack Nicholson's character had to be crazy and angry all the time. And in my character, I had to cry 12 hours a day, all day long, the last nine months straight, five or six days a week.
Almost 60 wooden doors were used. Nicholson noted how Duvall had an exceptionally challenging role, even showing him clumps of hair that fell out due to stress, often feeling physically unwell.
When Does a Director’s Vision Go Too Far?
Stanley Kubrick is often hailed as one of cinema's greatest directors due to his unwavering commitment to a distinct artistic vision, resulting in a string of timeless classics. However, when does a director's relentless pursuit of their vision cross a line? A revealing behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of a horror film, available on YouTube, offers insight into this question. Interestingly, the documentary was shot by the Paths of Glory filmmaker's daughter, Vivian, who was on set during the Stephen King adaptation’s production.
This documentary provides viewers with an up-close view of how Kubrick treated Shelley Duvall differently from the other actors, even berating her at one moment. While the reasons for this differential treatment may remain unclear, it's hard not to empathize with Duvall as the director instructs crew members with statements like:
[to crewmember] Don’t sympathize with Shelley… [to Duvall] It doesn’t help you.
While the making of The Shining was undoubtedly grueling for Shelley Duvall, there's no denying that her performance is one of the film's standout features. Her ability to convey raw, unfiltered fear added a layer of authenticity to the film that continues to terrify audiences today.
If you want to revisit the actress’s supreme work to honor her in light of her passing, The Shining can be streamed with a Paramount+ subscription. And don't forget to check out our list of upcoming horror films.
