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Misery

Play trailer Poster for Misery R 1990 1h 47m Horror Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 79 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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Misery

Misery

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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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Critics Reviews

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Steve Murray Atlanta Journal-Constitution Sep 23
Mr. Riner builds the claustrophobic tension -- and dark humor -- to wonderful heights. Go to Full Review Joe Clay The Times (UK) 07/26/2022
The genius of Bates’s performance is the delicate balance that can tip without warning from sweetly cheerful to psychotic rage. Go to Full Review Derek Malcolm Guardian 05/09/2017
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. Go to Full Review Alan Jones Radio Times Dec 17
4/5
While not a true-blue horror movie, Reiner's adept exercise in chilling claustrophobia nevertheless contains numerous jolts. Go to Full Review Trace Thurman Horror Queers Podcast Dec 1
5/5
Rob Reiner masterfully adapts one of Stephen King's best works in 'Misery', aided by a superb (and Oscar-winning) performance from Kathy Bates. Go to Full Review Joe Lipsett Horror Queers Podcast Dec 1
4/5
Easily one of the best King adaptations, in no small part because of the two committed lead performances. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Anders C 3d Cathy Bates,Cathy Bates , Cathy Bates See more Shawan S Dec 17 This movie is flat-out brilliant. Easily one of the best psychological horror flicks I’ve ever seen right up there with Psycho and The Shining. Kathy Bates? Absolutely phenomenal. If you love thrillers, you have to watch this. See more Matthew D @OceanSage Dec 16 Misery is a delight! Rob Reiner brings chilling suspense and clever setup to his direction of Misery (1990). The story from Stephen King is as scary and sharp as ever with King's writing. Reiner takes the cold atmosphere, cramped spaces, and helpless situation and makes it even more frightening. James Caan adds some much needed and appreciated humor as the hilarious and sympathetic injured author held captive by his intimidating fangirl Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates). Speaking of which, Kathy Bates is the star here as the obsessed devotee that puts the fan in fanatic. Her portrayal is so sweet and innocent that quickly builds into some far more sinister. You'll never look at Bates the same way again after Misery. I must mention the nice supporting roles from Richard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen, and Lauren Bacall. Farnsworth is the quintessential small town sheriff with a quaint charm. His sincerity and intrigue adds some joy and suspense to Misery. See more Dec 12 Written by Stephen King, I knew it would be excellent. Great acting, and some plot twists add up to a film I've seen more than once. A well deserved Oscar for Kathy Bates. See more Alli S @AlliBumaya Dec 9 Expertly performed, Misery works because it hits the gas, let's go of the wheel, and sees what happens. See more Roy J Nov 29 Misery is such an interesting movie. I was totally hooked first time watching it, even though it was released in the 90's. Kathy Bates and James Caan did an amazing job potraying their characters. A must watch. See more Read all reviews
Misery

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Cast & Crew

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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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Misery

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Movie Info

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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