Misery

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Misery

R

Released Nov 30, 1990

1h 47m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

76 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

After a serious car crash, novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan) is rescued by former nurse Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), who claims to be his biggest fan. Annie brings him to her remote cabin to recover, where her obsession takes a dark turn when she discovers Sheldon is killing off her favorite character from his novels. As Sheldon devises plans for escape, Annie grows increasingly controlling, even violent, as she forces the author to shape his writing to suit her twisted fantasies.

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Critics Consensus

Elevated by standout performances from James Caan and Kathy Bates, this taut and frightening film is one of the best Stephen King adaptations to date.

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Steve Murray

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mr. Riner builds the claustrophobic tension -- and dark humor -- to wonderful heights.

Sep 23, 2025

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Joe Clay

The Times (UK)

The genius of Bates’s performance is the delicate balance that can tip without warning from sweetly cheerful to psychotic rage.

Jul 26, 2022

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Derek Malcolm

Guardian

The film hasn't any depth to speak of, but is consistently shrewd enough not to go totally obvious ways. And the audacity in casting Kathy Bates as the dotty fan pays considerable dividends.

May 9, 2017

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Julianne Bell

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

A pet pig, a cameo by Lauren Bacall as Paul's agent, a sickening ankle crunch, and one of the most harrowing manuscript-burning scenes this side of Little Women. But the unmistakable standout is Kathy Bates' breakthrough Oscar-winning performance.

Oct 22, 2024

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Zofia Wijaszka

Nerdspin

Misery is an excellent adaption of the similarly exceptional novel. Bates’ role cannot possibly be forgotten, so cannot be Caan’s. The film remains a classic must-watch and is an especially great position for a cold, long, winter evening.

Rated: A

Dec 27, 2023

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Robin Holabird

Robin Holabird

Nerve wracking and intense, Misery loves the company it keeps, from Reiner to Bates to Nevada.

Oct 31, 2022

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David M

Rob Reiner's adaptation of Stephen King's novel has aged well. It stands largely on the excellent performances of James Caan and, especially the chillingly unhinged Kathy Bates. The claustrophobic atmosphere emphasises the wince-inducing physical and psychological torment that Caan's character undergoes, and Bates brilliantly pulls off her character's dramatic swings in temperament. The ending feels a little forced, but it's only the slightest of weaknesses in what remains one of the best adaptations of King's novels.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/27/25

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Ari S

Expertly performed, Misery works because it hits the gas, let's go of the wheel, and sees what happens. It's engaging, taut, and miserable...in all the right ways. Must see for any thriller fans

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/21/25

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Adam K

The genius of Bates’s performance is the delicate balance that can tip without warning from sweetly cheerful to psychotic rage.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/21/25

Full Review

Fan G

Amazing performances coupled with superb writing make this is an intense psychological event

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/16/25

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jason l

A timeless movie that still resonates with its themes of obsession and fans treating writers and their work as if it's their own thing to manipulate. The love hate relationship between audiences and creators. If anything some of it is even more relevant now. Kathy Bates turn at creating a character with both an innocent sort of childlike charm with a delusional extremely disturbed mind underneath. The sudden switch between being polite and full on rage. Then there is the sheriff in his wife who had a wholesomeness and moments of light-hearted relief. Still holds up as one of the best adaptations of Stephen King's books.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/14/25

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Adam Y

Casting Kathy Bates as Annie was certainly a culminating factor in the film's success but kudos must also go to William Goldman for coming up with a screenplay that just never lets up...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/06/25

Full Review

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Rob Reiner

Director

James Caan

Paul Sheldon

Kathy Bates

Annie Wilkes

Frances Sternhagen

Virginia McCain

Richard Farnsworth

J.T. McCain

Lauren Bacall

Marcia Sindell

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Synopsis

After a serious car crash, novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan) is rescued by former nurse Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), who claims to be his biggest fan. Annie brings him to her remote cabin to recover, where her obsession takes a dark turn when she discovers Sheldon is killing off her favorite character from his novels. As Sheldon devises plans for escape, Annie grows increasingly controlling, even violent, as she forces the author to shape his writing to suit her twisted fantasies.

Director: Rob Reiner
Producer: Rob Reiner, Andrew Scheinman
Screenwriter: William Goldman
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp., Image Entertainment Inc., Columbia Pictures, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Nelson Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 30, 1990, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $54.7M
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround

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