Misery

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Misery

R

Released Nov 30, 1990

1h 47m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

75 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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Joe Clay

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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Desmond Ryan

Philadelphia Inquirer

Bates turns Wilkes into the nastiest nurse to reach the screen since Louise Fletcher tormented Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 12, 2013

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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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Corinna S

I am still scared and I watched the movie a year ago. Trigger warnings: - intense mood swings - cruel caring - complete insanity Do not watch with patients!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/21/24

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie is so intense despite mostly taking place in one room. I loved it. Kathy Bates was phenomenal in this role and no one else could of played the role like she did, The Oscar she won for this movie 100% deserved. James Caan was also phenomenal in his role, it's easy to feel sorry and anxious for him as you pray he makes it out alive. This movie was insane and I love it. Watching Annie go from sweet and friendly to deranged and psychotic in an instant will never not be creepy. I would 100% recommend this movie you are a fan of Stephen King.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/20/24

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Chris F

Wonderful, contained story with superb acting. A classic '90s thriller.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/15/24

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Alex r

This movie proves you can make a movie with just two characters alone. This is an excellent movie to watch if your an actor and want to see a well seasoned duo can do with just acting off of each other. This movie has more than 2 characters but you only needed two actors to show you how to tell a good story. A story you will remember not just for the moment we all are thinking about but for the build up. The atmosphere that makes you feel that he is trapped like a mouse and the person who is holding him captive is off their rocker. There is an edge to the villian that makes you accept early on you don't want to mess with this being. That is something that a lot of scary looking monsters can't replicate because they think visual alone is enough to intimidate but demeanor, actions, energy, and aura are powerful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

Full Review

Michael W

This horror classic was great. James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth, and the rest of the cast did a great job in this movie. The plot of the movie was intense and insane. It's about a psychotic woman making her favorite writer to make a story of her liking and will do anything to get it. If you haven't seen this movie yet, check it out sometime. It's worth watching.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

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Larry K

Kathy Bates was really scary in this, great movie!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/28/24

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: Image Entertainment Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp., MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Columbia Pictures
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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