Episode 8 of AMC’s “New Blood” delivered chills alongside an unexpected journey back to familiar haunted halls. While initially seeming offbeat, the decision was anything but arbitrary. Guillermo Reyes, the man directing this pivotal moment where The Shining universe interweaves, openly confirmed the playful easter eggs strewn throughout the episode weren’t just nods to genre fans—they whispered a profound thematic connection at Stephen King’s core.
Reyes revealed that beyond recreating iconic stills from Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation, the scene featuring Natalie’s journey through ‘the hedge’ mirrored something significantly deeper. Not just a parallel but a reimagined interpretation of Jack Torrance’s desperate mental unraveling within the Overlook Hotel. “We weren’t simply mimicking images,” Reyes explained during an exclusive behind-the-scenes video, “we looked at ‘The Shining’ through the lens of psychological survival. The hedge was less about horror, and more about a character consumed with protecting themself—but in terribly flawed ways.”
This theme mirrors Natalie’s actions throughout the season. Driven by good intentions but plagued by past trauma, her desperate control often spins out of control—creating similar echoes to Victor Torrance’s descent into violence. Reyes argues this isn’t merely a homage; it unveils unexpected layers within King’s existing stories. “We wanted to show that ‘The Shining’, rather than being a standalone terrifying narrative, is part of something bigger. Everyone experiences haunted hallways differently, whether in Overlook’s snowgloom world or ‘New Blood’s more contemporary vampire society.”
Fans weren’t left without subtler nods as well. Dialogue resembling lines from “The Shining,” placed strategically throughout the ‘hedge episode,’ deepened the connection and provided an element of recognition for seasoned Kubrick devotees. The overall effect was subtle yet chillingly relevant—a testament to the creative power of seamlessly bridging pop culture’s most powerful tropes while adding fresh, thoughtful context.
Reyes concluded his insights with one powerful remark: “True fans are more into finding connections, recognizing deeper patterns.” This ” New Blood”/’The Shining’ fusion is far less than surface-level nostalgia—it’s an invitation to see these stories as part of the same grand tapestry, exploring the darkest corners of human nature and showcasing that horror can be born in various forms… and landscapes.