Del Toro and Anderson's Oscar Luncheon Pose Homages The Shining's Final Shot
At the recent 98th Oscars nominees luncheon, a photograph capturing directors Guillermo del Toro and Paul Thomas Anderson has ignited excitement among film enthusiasts. The image, which shows del Toro striking a 'jazz hands' pose with Anderson positioned behind him, was confirmed by del Toro as a deliberate recreation of the iconic group shot from Stanley Kubrick's 1980 horror classic, The Shining.
A Nod to Cinematic History
Del Toro responded to a social media post where he and Anderson were digitally inserted into the original The Shining image, stating, "You got it! PTA and I said: Let's do the Shining pose and we tried." This playful homage references the mysterious final shot of Kubrick's film, which features Jack Nicholson among partygoers at the Overlook Hotel's July 4th Ball in 1921, with Nicholson raising his right arm as a mustachioed man places a hand on it.
The original photograph has a fascinating backstory, as revealed by New York Times reporter Aric Toler and British academic Alasdair Spark in 2025. They discovered that Kubrick sourced the image from the Hulton picture archive, now owned by Getty Images, which depicted a Valentine's Day dance at the Royal Palace hotel in London in 1921. Kubrick edited the photo, replacing the head of dance instructor Santos Casani with Nicholson's, to create the eerie ending that has become a staple of horror cinema.
Cultural Impact and Film Lore
This recreation at the Oscars luncheon highlights the enduring influence of The Shining on contemporary filmmakers. Del Toro, known for works like Frankenstein, and Anderson, a revered director in his own right, used the event to pay tribute to Kubrick's masterpiece, blending Hollywood glamour with cinematic nostalgia. The pose not only celebrates film history but also sparks discussions about the artistic connections between generations of directors.
As the Oscars approach, such moments remind audiences of the rich tapestry of film lore that underpins the industry. From the original photo's origins in a London hotel dance to its transformation into a horror icon, and now its recreation by modern auteurs, this story underscores the playful and interconnected nature of cinematic artistry.
