For me, Mike Flanagan is one of the rare directors who seems to understand Stephen King's storytelling in a really complete way. They are essentially folksy melodrama most of the time, concerned with the embodiment of evil in parents, abusive spouses, alcoholics, politicians -- and often the preternatural abilities of innocent or young people. King's horror is emotional and Flanagan understands that; I really believe he's read his source material.

In Doctor Sleep, I was impressed that Flanagan was able to balance telling a story of an alcoholic abuser in his forties with what is essentially a continuation and closer to Kubrick's film and King's original book. The Director's Cut is especially good in building a dense, novel-like narrative. I loved how the film made me understand and empathize with Rose the Hat and also feel sullen and gobsmacked when she and her family kill that boy. I loved the idea of the film being built around the proverb, 'Man takes a drink, drink takes a drink, drink takes the man.' The ending is just beautiful and brought me back to the first time I read The Shining. The wonderful actress who played Wendy nailed it, too.

Don't know if it's a masterpiece, but it's a refreshingly fulfilling story that kept me emotionally invested. It's King through and through - see also Midnight Mass and Gerald's Game.