Top 10 Kubrick Stares

Stanley Kubrick, the legendary filmmaker, was celebrated for his unparalleled and visually captivating style. A hallmark of his work is the Kubrick Stare, often termed the Kubrick Glare. This iconic shot features an actor with their head slightly lowered, eyes gazing upward, often revealing teeth, and always conveying a chilling mix of detachment, menace, anger, or madness. Film critic Roger Ebert suggested Kubrick was drawn to this angle for its unique portrayal of the human face. Discover if you can identify these unforgettable Top Ten Kubrick Stares.

10. Joe Turkel as Lloyd the Bartender – The Shining

Joe Turkel’s portrayal of Lloyd the Bartender in *The Shining* is unforgettable. As he serves Jack Nicholson the drinks he desires, Turkel’s character seems to trade them for something far more sinister—his soul. This Kubrick Stare, with its devilish eyes and mischievous grin, radiates pure evil. It stands out as one of the most iconic and chilling moments in Kubrick’s films, showcasing the director’s mastery in capturing diabolical expressions.

9. Tom Cruise as Dr. William “Bill” Harford – Eyes Wide Shut

In *Eyes Wide Shut*, Tom Cruise portrays Dr. Bill Harford, a Manhattan physician whose life spirals into a surreal and unsettling journey. The film, often described as enigmatic and deliberately ambiguous, is based on Arthur Schnitzler’s novella *Traumnovelle* (Dream Story). Much like the source material, the narrative blurs the line between reality and dreams. After a heated argument with his wife (Nicole Kidman), Harford embarks on a bizarre odyssey filled with strange encounters, from a prostitute to a mysterious masked orgy. Each attempt at intimacy ends in failure, mirroring the disjointed logic of dreams. Cruise’s Kubrick Stare captures the essence of a man consumed by frustration, confusion, and unfulfilled desire.

8. Sue Lyon as Lolita – Lolita

Sue Lyon embodies the titular character Lolita, a young girl who realizes that Humbert, once charming, has become an oppressive and tedious figure. This scene highlights Kubrick’s ability to elicit a powerful Stare from female actors, showcasing his versatility in directing both men and women.

7. Kirk Douglas as Colonel Dax – Paths of Glory

In *Paths of Glory*, Kirk Douglas delivers a gripping performance as Colonel Dax, a French officer pushed to the edge by the senseless carnage ordered by his superiors. Despite his efforts to follow commands, Dax is acutely aware of the futility of the war. Douglas’s Kubrick Stare radiates suppressed rage, a testament to his exceptional acting skills. Kubrick drew a career-defining performance from Douglas, even though the actor reportedly had mixed feelings about the director.

6. Various Characters from *Dr. Strangelove*

Admittedly, I’ve taken some liberties here to include twelve Kubrick Stares in a top ten list, but the performances by the trio of exceptional actors in *Dr. Strangelove* are too remarkable to overlook. This dark comedy, exploring the absurdity of nuclear war and its architects, stands alongside *2001: A Space Odyssey* as one of Kubrick’s greatest achievements. If you haven’t seen *Dr. Strangelove*, make it a priority. Even if Kubrick’s films, war stories, dark humor, or cinema in general aren’t your cup of tea, this film is a must-watch for the unforgettable performances by George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, and Peter Sellers.

George C. Scott delivers what might be his finest performance (rivaling his Oscar-winning role as Patton in *Patton*). As General Buck Turgidson, Scott’s portrayal is so exaggerated it borders on caricature. Kubrick, notorious for demanding countless takes, convinced Scott that his over-the-top antics were merely warm-up exercises, assuring him they wouldn’t make the final cut. When Scott discovered Kubrick had used those very takes, he vowed never to collaborate with the director again. Yet, Kubrick’s trick paid off. Scott’s Turgidson is a maniacal, almost childlike figure, fully convinced that initiating nuclear war with Russia is justified, casually dismissing the potential loss of “10-20 million lives” as acceptable. Turgidson’s character draws inspiration from real-life US Air Force General Curtis LeMay. When President Merkin Muffley (played by Peter Sellers) thwarts Turgidson’s plans, Scott delivers a chilling Kubrick Stare.

Sterling Hayden, returning to film after a long hiatus, portrays the unhinged Brigadier General Jack Ripper, who unilaterally orders a nuclear strike on Russia. Ripper exploits a little-known protocol allowing such an attack if the US leadership is incapacitated. Once the bombers are airborne, only a secret three-letter code, known solely to Ripper, can recall them. Group Captain Lionel Mandrake (also played by Peter Sellers) pleads with Ripper to reveal the code, but Ripper responds with a Kubrick Stare brimming with madness, anger, and condescension. Ripper’s paranoia centers on a bizarre belief in a communist plot to contaminate America’s “precious bodily fluids” through water fluoridation. Only after Ripper’s suicide does Mandrake uncover the code—P.O.E. (Purity of Essence).

In a race against time, Mandrake relays the code to the President via a public payphone, aided by Colonel Bat Guano (Keenan Wynn) in a comedic twist. However, the world’s salvation is short-lived as Major Kong (Slim Pickens), a determined Texan pilot, manages to breach Russian defenses and deliver his payload in a rodeo-style climax, ensuring the bomb’s detonation.

The already dire situation of nuclear exchange between superpowers worsens with the revelation of Russia’s ultimate weapon—the Doomsday Bomb. Designed to detonate upon an attack on Russian soil, it would unleash a lethal shroud of radiation, extinguishing all life on Earth. As Major Kong’s bomber approaches its target, the grim reality dawns on US officials, the Russian Ambassador, and the President: humanity faces annihilation. Enter Peter Sellers as Dr. Strangelove, a wheelchair-bound ex-Nazi scientist, who proposes a desperate plan to survive in deep mine shafts. Strangelove’s Kubrick Stare embodies the madness of scientific genius, a chilling reminder of humanity’s hubris in creating and attempting to control such catastrophic weapons.

5. Keir Dullea as Dr. David Bowman – 2001: A Space Odyssey

Kubrick’s *2001: A Space Odyssey* is a cinematic triumph, often regarded as his magnum opus. The film unfolds in three acts, with the opening “Dawn of Man” and the closing “Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite” sequences relying entirely on visual storytelling, devoid of dialogue. The middle segment explores humanity’s future in space, where astronauts Dr. David Bowman and Dr. Frank Poole discover a mysterious monolith on the moon and embark on a mission to Jupiter. Kubrick portrays a future where humanity has become cold and mechanical, with emotions seemingly reserved for H.A.L., the ship’s sentient computer. H.A.L., despite being artificial, exhibits jealousy, ambition, and paranoia, ultimately turning murderous. This complexity makes H.A.L. a perfect candidate for the Kubrick Stare.

H.A.L., discovering Bowman and Poole’s plan to disconnect him, takes drastic measures. He kills Poole during a spacewalk and traps Bowman outside the ship, refusing to open the pod bay doors. Bowman, resourceful and determined, finds a way back inside. As he disconnects H.A.L., Bowman’s Kubrick Stare reflects a rare moment of raw human emotion—anger and resolve. H.A.L.’s pleas, “Stop. Won’t you stop, Dave?” echo hauntingly as his consciousness fades.

4. Vincent D’Onofrio as Pvt. Leonard “Gomer Pyle” Lawrence – Full Metal Jacket

My first encounter with the Kubrick Stare came in 1987 with the release of Kubrick’s Vietnam War film, *Full Metal Jacket*. A review of the film featured a striking still of Vincent D’Onofrio, seated in his underwear, glaring maniacally at the camera. The reviewer noted that Kubrick had once again captured his signature Stare, this time through D’Onofrio’s haunting portrayal.

Kubrick cast the young actors for *Full Metal Jacket* through an open call across the US and Canada, receiving thousands of audition tapes. After narrowing it down to 800, he personally selected talents like Matthew Modine as “Private Joker,” Adam Baldwin as “Animal Mother,” and Vincent D’Onofrio as the unforgettable Pvt. Pyle.

R. Lee Ermey, originally hired as a technical advisor, convinced Kubrick to let him play Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, the brutal drill instructor. Ermey’s persistence paid off when he submitted a self-made audition tape, hurling insults at Royal Marines while enduring a barrage of tennis balls and oranges. His unwavering performance for 15 minutes impressed Kubrick, who realized Ermey’s brilliance was essential to the role. Today, Ermey is also famous for his Geico commercial as the no-nonsense therapist.

Private Pyle struggles immensely during boot camp, both physically and emotionally, unable to keep up with the demands. Hartman, the drill instructor, singles him out for relentless torment, with only Private Joker offering any kindness. Pyle discovers his sole talent lies in marksmanship, becoming the unit’s best shooter. However, this skill isn’t enough to save him. On their final night in boot camp, Joker finds Pyle in the latrine, clutching a rifle in his underwear. Joker pleads with him to surrender the weapon, warning of dire consequences if Hartman discovers them. Pyle, now beyond reason, delivers one of the most iconic Kubrick Stares and utters, “I am in a world of shit.” When Hartman arrives and hurls one last insult, Pyle shoots him dead before turning the gun on himself, sparing Joker.

3. HAL – 2001: A Space Odyssey

Some might argue that H.A.L.’s glowing red “eye” in *2001: A Space Odyssey* doesn’t qualify as a true “Stare.” However, its inclusion here highlights Kubrick’s brilliance in crafting a character that is simultaneously the most human and the most sinister presence on the Jupiter-bound spacecraft. Through masterful use of lighting, sound, and interactions between Poole, Bowman, and H.A.L., Kubrick gradually reveals the computer’s malevolent nature. Initially, H.A.L. appears as a reliable, almost affectionate companion, but as the story unfolds, his true intentions emerge. The chilling moment when H.A.L. deduces Poole and Bowman’s plan to disconnect him, and his subsequent decision to eliminate them, is a quintessential example of the Kubrick Stare.

2. Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance – The Shining

While Malcolm McDowell’s portrayal of Alex DeLarge sets a high bar for the Kubrick Stare, Jack Nicholson’s performance as Jack Torrance in *The Shining* has grown on me over the years. Nicholson’s gradual descent into madness is masterfully depicted, starting as a seemingly normal father and husband before unraveling at the Overlook Hotel. By the film’s climax, as Torrance axes his way through a door with the infamous “Here’s Johnny!” and pursues his son Danny in a snowstorm, Nicholson’s Kubrick Stare reaches its peak. Even frozen in death, his stare remains hauntingly iconic.

1. Malcolm McDowell as Alexander DeLarge – A Clockwork Orange

Malcolm McDowell’s portrayal of Alex DeLarge, the leader of a gang of violent teenage thugs, epitomizes the Kubrick Stare. With his tilted bowler hat, eye makeup, and menacing gaze, McDowell captures the essence of Kubrick’s vision. *A Clockwork Orange* offers a grim, dystopian view of society’s potential decline, with DeLarge embodying humanity’s darkest impulses—violence, lust, and a complete lack of conscience. Despite his admiration for Kubrick’s artistry, McDowell criticized the director’s focus on humanity’s darker aspects, believing it overlooked the good. Nevertheless, McDowell’s improvisations, such as the iconic “Singing in the Rain” scene, remain some of the film’s most memorable moments.

Stanley Kubrick – Stanley Kubrick

In one of the final publicity photos for *Eyes Wide Shut*, taken just before his passing in 1999, Kubrick himself delivers the iconic Kubrick Stare, accompanied by a subtle, affectionate smile. Thank you, Stanley, for the unforgettable films and those legendary Stares.