A friend of mine recently noted the similarities between the bar scene in Passengers (2016) starring Chris Pratt and Michael Sheen, and The Shining with Jack Nicholson and Joe Turkel. I can’t say I’d really noticed but you know what? He’s right!
I did some digging and it turns out Passengers director, Morten Tyldum is a big fan of The Shining and did indeed pay homage to the movie - not only in that scene, but perhaps subconsciously in many other subtle ways throughout the film.
From the lit up bar and the way the bartender is dressed, to the colours and style of the carpet, and even the way the scene is shot. It’s now very obvious it was intentional.
The bar in Passengers (2016).
Note the carpet. It's the same as the carpet in the hallways of the Overlook Hotel in The Shining (1980) only with the colours inverted.
Danny Torrance (Danny Lloyd) stops to look at room 237 in an iconic scene in The Shining (1980). Note the carpet.
If you haven’t seen Passengers you should definitely check it out. It’s a great film! If you have seen it, did you make this connection? Let me know in the comments.