Few films have the lasting impact of The Shining, where each character, scene, and setting seems to emanate its own distinct energy. In this edition of Frightful Fridays, we’re pairing the unforgettable elements of The Shining with fragrances that capture madness, fear, and supernatural forces.
Jack Torrance – Leather and Wood
Jack Torrance's journey from a seemingly ordinary man to a raving lunatic can be compared to the way a fragrance can shift from welcoming to menacing. At first, Jack is hopeful, ready to make a fresh start at the Overlook Hotel. However, as his isolation deepens and the hotel's sinister presence takes hold, the cracks in his mind begin to show. A fragrance for Jack needs to reflect this duality. Think of a scent that starts smooth and approachable, but with a lurking darkness that intensifies with time.
Leather and wood are the perfect match for Jack, with leather representing his rugged exterior—a man trying to assert control over his family and his mind—while wood symbolizes his slow, inevitable unraveling. Gucci Guilty Absolute, a strong, potent fragrance, captures this breakdown perfectly. The fragrance’s deep leather note feels raw, rugged, and powerful. However, underneath the leather lies woody notes of earthy vetiver and smoky cypress. Gucci Guilty Absolute’s progression mirrors Jack’s—starting strong and seductive, only to reveal an unsettling, darker core that takes over completely.
Wendy Torrance – Powdery Florals and Musk
Wendy Torrance resembles traits of both resilience and fragility. She is the protector of her son, desperately holding her family together, even as everything around her falls apart. In fragrance terms, Wendy’s character calls for a delicate but enduring scent. Powdery florals, particularly iris and rose, symbolize her softer, more nurturing side—the part of her that remains gentle and loving despite the nightmarish reality she faces. But beneath that surface lies a firm strength, represented by musk.
Rose has a certain ethereal quality that fits Wendy’s state of near-constant anxiety, almost dreamlike in its delicacy. It’s a flower that can survive in cool, harsh climates. Similarly, Wendy is trying to survive the icy, oppressive atmosphere of the Overlook. Cottony musk reflects Wendy’s tenacity and her ability to fight for her family. Chanel’s No. 5 L’Eau modernizes the classic floral notes and adds an airy quality that resembles Wendy’s purity and resolve. Notes of jasmine and cedar give off a sense of fleeting beauty amid darkness.
Danny Torrance – Green, Herbaceous, and Ozone
Danny Torrance, the child with the gift of "shining," is caught between innocence and the supernatural forces that surround him. His heightened sensitivity to the Overlook Hotel’s dark energy reflects his deep connection to the natural and otherworldly. A fragrance for Danny must capture a cold, eerie atmosphere with a thread of warmth hidden beneath.
L’Air En Hiver by Hexennacht is a perfect match for Danny. The fragrance’s combination of dead leaves and frozen earth beneath a heavy blanket of snow is much like the isolated, icy wilderness surrounding the Overlook. This is reminiscent of Danny’s own feeling of being trapped in a cold, hostile environment. The wintry air and chimney smoke conjure the eeriness of the hotel’s haunted halls, while the leather boots and stacked firewood reflect Danny’s determination to navigate this strange and frightening world. Clove buds bring a touch of warmth, like the innocence within Danny.
Danny’s scent should balance the innocence of youth with the terrifying knowledge of the supernatural.
The Overlook Hotel – Woods, Amber, and Spices
The Overlook Hotel is a living, breathing entity steeped in mystery and malevolence. Its opulence, hidden behind dark secrets, invites you in, only to slowly consume you. A fragrance for the Overlook must blend luxury with an ominous undertone.
Tom Ford’s Myrrh Mystere captures the Overlook perfectly. The fragrance’s core is built around myrrh, both in its essence and resinoid absolute. Myrrh’s smoky, resinous character reminds us of the ghosts and dark energies that pervade the Overlook.
As the fragrance develops, smooth sandalwood wraps around the myrrh. However, the comforting notes of sandalwood are deceptive—just as the Overlook’s luxury hides its dark past. Vanilla breaks through the composition, softening the edges and providing a false sense of comfort, only to mask the deeper aspects lurking beneath.
In Myrrh Mystere, the smoky myrrh and warm sandalwood reflect the Overlook’s haunting beauty, while the vanilla’s sweetness is like the calm before the storm.
Redrum Scene – Tobacco, Rum, Cinnamon, and Saffron
The “Redrum” scene in The Shining is one of the film’s most haunting and unforgettable moments, where the word, written in red lipstick, signals a child’s warning of the impending violence that lies ahead. The atmosphere of this scene is thick with tension, a mix of fear and anticipation. A fragrance for this scene must be made up of warmth, danger, and an unsettling richness—perfectly captured by Side Effect from Initio Parfums Privés.
Side Effect opens with a rich, boozy rum note, intoxicating and dark. This rum creates an almost hypnotic effect. Tobacco joins in with its smoky, seductive scent, followed by the spiciness of cinnamon and saffron. These notes help amplify the heat and tension. The base of sandalwood follows– it grounds the composition and contrasts the fiery top notes. Finally, hedione adds a light, airy touch, amplifying the fragrance’s diffusion.
Final Thoughts
The Shining is a film that seeps into the mind and soul, with each character and setting offering its own atmospheric pull. Just as Kubrick’s masterpiece explores the terror within the walls of the Overlook Hotel, these fragrance pairings delve into deeper dimensions of the story. With each scent, the madness, fear, and mystery of The Shining are just a spray away.
