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Misery

Play trailer Poster for Misery R 1990 1h 47m Horror Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
86% Tomatometer 156 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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Bruce Westbrook Houston Chronicle Jun 9, 2026
Reiner supplies enough comic relief to keep it from being unbearable. Go to Full Review David Denby New York Magazine/Vulture Feb 5, 2026
The director, Rob Reiner, keeps the story as funny as possible, but after a while the conventional side of the horror plot takes over. Go to Full Review Joe Kane New York Daily News Jan 22, 2026
Rob Reiner's clever but unobtrusive direction keeps the story in tight focus. Go to Full Review Christopher Johnston Victoria Times Colonist (B.C., Canada) Jun 9, 2026
Everything about this movie is right. Go to Full Review Bryce Hanson Horror Movie Talk May 19, 2026
10/10
Misery is a horror movie that proves you don’t need all the bells and whistles of the genre to be truly terrifying. Sometimes all you need is one truly unhinged person and no escape. Go to Full Review Chance Solem-Pfeifer Willamette Week Mar 7, 2026
And though it’s odd to say about such a sinister thriller, Misery is Reiner at his most effortless. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Damion Jan 21, 2026 Another one of Stephen Kings novels adapted flawlessly! See more B P @Bradster69 Sep 6, 2026 Definitely Recommend It See more Norman B. @KunNeki Aug 21, 2026 You don't see too many good adaptations now a days but this one is a classic See more Juris O @Juris100 Aug 12, 2026 A good adaptation, but a lot different from the famous novel. See more Blackheart 1 @Blackheart9699 Aug 11, 2026 Great movie and acting. If you like the movie, read the book. If you thought Annie was brutal in the movie, she’s more brutal in the book. See more Don V @bondo150 Aug 4, 2026 Every moment tightens the pressure until even silence feels dangerous. The walls are not just walls, they are boundaries, traps, and reminders that control can belong to whoever is willing to take it. The writing is exceptional. The screenplay understands that true suspense comes from character, not just circumstances. Every conversation carries weight. Every exchange becomes a negotiation filled with hidden threats and shifting power. The dialogue is sharp because it reveals exactly how people justify obsession, cruelty, and the desperate need to be understood. James Caan brings a quiet strength and vulnerability, portraying a man forced to survive through patience, intelligence, and sheer determination. Kathy Bates delivers a legendary performance, creating a character who can appear charming one moment and terrifying the next. Her unpredictability becomes the film’s greatest source of tension. 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

Misery (1990) Misery (1990) Misery (1990) A scene from the film "Misery." A scene from the film "Misery." A scene from the film "Misery." A scene from the film "Misery." A scene from the film "Misery." A scene from the film "Misery." A scene from the film "Misery." View more photos

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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