The Shining declared 'scariest horror film ever'

The Shining has been declared the scariest horror film every made by top film website Totalscifionline.com.

Starring Jack Nicholson, the horror scared off fierce competition from Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby and British cult classic The Wicker Man. Other films that crept into the website’s top ten include Psycho, Jaws and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Based on the novel by famous horror writer Stephen King, The Shining tells the story of a frustrated writer who tries to murder his family in an isolated hotel where they are snowed in for the winter. Following mixed reviews on its release in 1980, its reputation has steadily grown over the years, eventually elevating the film into an iconic classic.

“Nearly 30 years after its initial release, The Shining remains an unparalled study in isolation, madness and paranoia,” says Matt McAllister, editor of Totalscifionline.com. “The expansive sets, surreal visuals, and an intense performance from Jack Nicholson add up to a film guaranteed to give viewers a sleepless night.”

A measure of the film’s success is the proliferation of its dialogue in popular culture. The repeated phrase “All work and no play make a Jack a dull boy” and Jack Nicholson leeringly announcing ‘Here’s Jonny!’ in the unforgettable scene where he smashes through a door wearing a sadistic smile have cemented the film’s reputation.