“Pluribus” is in its own right, demonstrating an originality rare in modern times. But some aspects of the film are clearly influenced by other works, such as a moment in the first episode in which two creepy young siblings embody the spirits of the twins from Stanley Kubrick’s Stephen King film “The Shining.”
Apple TV+ has some great shows that no one watches, but everyone should pay attention to “Pluribus.” The new sci-fi thriller series from “Breaking Bad” creator Vince Giligan is a superb and intriguing creation unlike anything else currently on television. That doesn’t mean it avoids mining inspiration from other sources, of course. Indeed, a major example appears during the series’ pilot, “We Is Us,” in which Rhea Seehorn romance novelist Carol Sturka watches society collapse as humanity is infected by a mysterious virus.
After widespread chaos breaks out in her hometown of Alberquerque, New Mexico, Carol returns home in the episode, only to discover that she has lost her keys and is locked out. Soon, however, two children from the house next door emerge and stand side by side before reminding Carol that she left a spare key under the pot on her porch. Despite the fact that these creepy siblings, played by Teagan Sucherman and Isak Tufic, reassure Carol that they are not here to harm her, they project a deeply unsettling aura akin to the identical twins from one of “The Shining’s” most unforgettable moments.
Explaining the series’ influences to Letterboxd, Gilligan confirmed he was inspired by the master, writing: “Quick, what classic image did the first episode of ‘Pluribus’ borrow from ‘The Shining?’ “I’ll give you a moment to think about it,” before revealing, “Yes, we borrowed the image of those creepy neighbor kids from Kubrick’s even scarier twins.”
The Shining’s influence goes beyond Pluribus’ creepy siblings
Although it seems completely fresh, “Pluribus” is actually the latest spiritual remake of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” and it’s very good. The series does a great job of updating a well-worn sci-fi trope with its alien invasion via virus storyline (at least, that’s what appears is happening so far). But since this was a Vince Gilligan show, there would still be some Stanley Kubrick influence at play. The creator has introduced similar homages into his work before, writing in his Letterboxd article: “Kubrick is the master, so who am I to nitpick?” He added: “Bonus fact: the ax that the Salamanca cousins carry in ‘Breaking Bad’ is also inspired by ‘The Shining’.”
With “Pluribus,” however, the influence goes beyond the creepy siblings. As Gilligan later explained, the fact that the series is based on “a writer, alcohol and deep isolation” essentially means that it has the same premise as “The Shining,” in which Jack Nicholson author Jack Torrance deteriorates mentally while isolated at the haunted Overlook Hotel. “Man, do I love this movie,” Gilligan said of “The Shining,” adding, “But here’s a question: Why is Nicholson playing Jack Torrance like a crazy person before he arrives at the Overlook Hotel? Even in his job interview, Jack is so obviously bat-crazy that Barry Nelson might as well hand him a fire ax along with the keys to the building.”
Is Gilligan telling us anything about “Pluribus” with this last comment? Are we witnessing the collapse of Carol Sturka’s mind in the Apple TV show rather than in real events? Considering that “Pluribus” keeps its true meaning close to the chest, it all remains a big mystery at this point, but Gilligan’s comments may hint at something unexpected.
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