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

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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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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Nick O

Kathy Bates redefined how the world viewed horror movie villains with this absolutely psychotic and realistically terrifying performance in one of the most chilling Stephen King adaptations.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

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Dwayne W

It doesn’t get better than this claustrophobic tale

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/17/25

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john h

A real kill or be killed thriller mystery with beyond exceptional displays of acting talent by Kathy Bates and James Caan as well as a spectacular book adaptation.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/06/25

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Daniel Z

Misery, in my opinion, is the greatest film adaptation to come out of Stephen King's horror oeuvre. It may not be as indelible as Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, but it is more loyal to the source material/author's vision, and that, for me, affords it an extra bit of prestige. As for the film itself? It's exceptional from every angle -- the acting, writing, cinematography, settings, set dressing, tone, soundtrack. Rob Reiner and his cast and crew outdid themselves. Kathy Bates is remarkable -- both scary and somewhat sympathetic as the unhinged Annie; James Caan rises to the challenge of playing a physically and emotionally vulnerable everyman; and Richard Farnsworth and Frances Sternhagen make for the oldest, cutest, astutest police couple in film history. The suspense is palpable, the humor nice and grim. Every shot is important -- every scene, damn near every line -- and it's a harrowing viewing experience every single time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/05/25

Full Review

Nicholas B

Misery is a flawless 5-star psychological thriller that remains one of the most gripping Stephen King adaptations ever made. Kathy Bates is phenomenal, delivering an Oscar-winning performance as Annie Wilkes—both terrifying and unforgettable. James Caan brings quiet strength to the role of the captive writer, and Rob Reiner’s direction builds tension with masterful precision. It's chilling, claustrophobic, and utterly compelling from start to finish.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/11/25

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Me a

Everyone involved at the top of their game.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/29/25

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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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