Grey

The use of grey can be understood as a mix of black and white, which seems obvious until you pair Jack’s suit jacket, a grey tweed, positioned in front of a black and white photo from No.3, No.5

cementing both the color and its association— as well as Jack and the symbol he will eventually become.

Watson’s grey suit with the persistent images of black and white photos strewn across The Overlook also perpetuates this (see Jack and Watson) No.17

Watson is shown wearing Jack’s same jacket, even though the men are not of equal size.

The kitchen space is primarily grey- as it is a utilitarian and industrial space it makes practical sense.

The use of grey in a symbolic sense lies heavily (if not entirely) within the black and white photos. Not necessarily the guests that represent the photos within No.53 but the photos themselves. And more specifically, how things soften and blend into one the more you distance yourself from them.

The use of silver is related, but separate to the use of grey. Where there is silver it can be understood to be speaking to the higher level of class, wealth and quality. Where grey is utilitarian and cold, silver boasts gleaming wealth. This could speak to Jack’s desire to be one of the important guests staying at the hotel and in reality he’s a janitor working in it.

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