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Misery

Play trailer Poster for Misery R Released Nov 30, 1990 1h 47m Horror Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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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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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 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 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 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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Jason B Maybe the greatest adaptation of a Stephen King story. Excellent acting, tense psychological thrills, and a tight script. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/07/25 Full Review Hollis Q It doesn’t get better than this. Wonderfully shot and expertly acted Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/03/25 Full Review Yossam I THE best psychological thriller out there IMO Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/02/25 Full Review Grady M I can rewatch this a million times and still get terrified Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/18/25 Full Review James O They don't make them like this anymore Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/06/25 Full Review Dana B A masterclass in a psychological thrillers Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/04/25 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
Castle Rock Entertainment, Nelson 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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