Why “Doctor Sleep” Is Superior To “It” Remake
Villains you love to hate, a morally sound heroine and a wounded hero makes for a compelling mix.
The Protagonists
Dan Torrance is a tortured individual growing up (if you’ve seen Kubrick’s “The Shining” you certainly understand why) and retreats into drugs and alcohol to cope with the pain of what transpired at the Overlook Hotel.
He is older; worn and exhausted, but fighting to find his way back to some semblance of normalcy. As he sobers his abilities become stronger and he learns to use those abilities to help others, easing the fears dying senior citizens have, who dub him “Doctor Sleep”. While we don’t share his particular gifts, we can relate to addiction and searching for where we belong and what our purpose is in this world.
Abra Stone is a child with an immense amount of ability or “shine”. She is strong, seemingly everything that Dan might’ve been. She is assertive, determined and passionate and is strong enough to combat the main villain, Rose the Hat, in most of their encounters. She doesn’t shrink from doing what is right even if it endangers her life. You cheer for her as she fights, especially when Rose the Hat tries to sneak into her mind while she’s asleep. Before Abra and Dan even meet, they feel connected…
