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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 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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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 Mr. Riner builds the claustrophobic tension -- and dark humor -- to wonderful heights. Sep 23, 2025 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Robin Holabird Robin Holabird Nerve wracking and intense, Misery loves the company it keeps, from Reiner to Bates to Nevada. Oct 31, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Luis Ivan M An effective psychological thriller. The film excels across the board, with every element working together to convey the unnerving emotions our protagonist experiences. The writing is strong, though some of its structural precision likely stems from its source material, Stephen King’s novel of the same name. If there’s a flaw, it comes early in the first act, where one scene relies too heavily on exposition to explain key details. It’s a minor nitpick that quickly fades once the inciting incident hits and the story gains momentum. From there, the direction and performances deliver in full, particularly from the two leads, whose dynamic anchors the tension throughout. Cinematography is beautiful and effective, even if not particularly striking, while the editing stands out as a masterclass in maintaining suspense and pacing. A few supporting characters play gratifying roles in the narrative, though a sudden time jump near the end leaves one of their storylines without full closure; again, a small but noticeable issue. Overall, it’s a very well-executed film that grips from start to finish. Thoughtful, tense, and emotionally grounded, I definitely recommend it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/10/25 Full Review Maksim S THIS, IS Pure Psychological Terror. Misery may be Stephen King’s finest adaptation, a masterclass in tension, dread, and darkly twisted humor. The story is deceptively simple — a famous author held captive by his “number one fan” — and the focus on just two main actors heightens every interaction, every glance, every threat. Kathy Bates delivers a performance of terrifying brilliance, embodying a psychotic intensity and borderline personality disorder so convincingly that the terror of being trapped with her becomes almost tangible. James Caan provides a perfect counterbalance, his fear and desperation making the suspense utterly immersive. The film is horrifying without relying on gore; the psychological terror, dark humor, and unforgettable moments — particularly one scene that makes the viewer physically flinch — cement Misery as a horror of horrors. It’s a study in obsession, power, and survival, and a reminder that true fear often comes from the mind, not the blood. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/02/25 Full Review thiago s Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 11/01/25 Full Review Roger L. Thrilling, end to end suspense, surprises and great acting. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/01/25 Full Review Rohan H Misery (1990) is an unforgettable psychological thriller that grips you from the first scene and never lets go. Directed by Rob Reiner and based on Stephen King’s acclaimed novel, the film delivers a chilling, claustrophobic story about obsession, captivity, and the fragile boundary between admiration and madness. James Caan stars as Paul Sheldon, a successful novelist who becomes trapped in the remote home of his self-proclaimed “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes — played to perfection by Kathy Bates. After rescuing Paul from a car crash, Annie’s kindness quickly turns to terror when she learns that her favourite character has been killed off in his latest book. What follows is a tense and terrifying battle of wills that keeps audiences on edge until the very end. Kathy Bates’ performance is nothing short of phenomenal. She embodies Annie with such intensity and unpredictability that she becomes one of the most memorable villains in film history. Her performance earned her a well-deserved Academy Award for Best Actress, and rightfully so — she’s terrifying, sympathetic, and completely captivating all at once. James Caan provides the perfect counterbalance, portraying Paul’s vulnerability and determination with quiet strength, making the psychological duel between them both gripping and believable. Rob Reiner’s direction is masterful, transforming a simple setting — a single house — into a world of escalating fear and suspense. The pacing is tight, the cinematography heightens the feeling of isolation, and the tension builds with expert precision. Each creak of the floorboard, each shift in Annie’s mood, pulls the viewer deeper into Paul’s nightmare. What makes Misery stand out is not just its scares, but its intelligence. It’s a story about control, obsession, and the dark side of fandom — themes that feel even more relevant today. Beneath the horror lies a fascinating study of power dynamics and human endurance. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/31/25 Full Review Lobo T 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 10/29/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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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