Basically unemployable, Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) is thrilled to get a job as caretaker of the Overlook Hotel. He, his wife, Wendy (Shelly Duvall), and his son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), move there for the winter. Before leaving, summer chef Dick Hallorann (Scatman Crothers) warns Danny that he may see scary things in the hotel but that he shouldn't worry, because they aren't real. It doesn't take long before Jack's mental health starts deteriorating and Danny starts seeing ghosts of what has taken place in the past in the hotel. Jack starts drinking with ball guests at a New Year's Eve party back in the 1920s. He becomes angry, and his newfound "friends" convince him that he needs to get rid of his wife and son. Danny is frightened of everything he sees and telepathically sends a message to Dick who leaves his southern vacation to go back to Colorado and help him.