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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 153 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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David Denby New York Magazine/Vulture Feb 5
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
Rob Reiner's clever but unobtrusive direction keeps the story in tight focus. Go to Full Review Jeff Strickler Minneapolis Star Tribune Jan 22
7/10
While it's entertaining, the conversion does not come without cost: a gross simplification that may rankle some King aficionados. Virtually all of the novel's substance has been chucked. Go to Full Review Bryce Hanson Horror Movie Talk May 19
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
And though it’s odd to say about such a sinister thriller, Misery is Reiner at his most effortless. Go to Full Review Martin Knelman National Post Jan 22
To me, the merit of Misery was limited to the formidable acting of Kathy Bates, who would be astonishing even if Caan's wimpy performances didn't make her the winner by default. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Damion Jan 21 Another one of Stephen Kings novels adapted flawlessly! See more hank W @hanksalot 20h Before his death, I often found myself surprised by the fact that you never heard Rob Reiner's name listed as one of the greatest directors of all time. He's a far better director than Scorcese, for example. Directing a feature comedy for a studio is one of the most difficult things to do in a business that is relentlessly difficult. Yet Reiner made several movies that are not just great but arguably perfect. Misery is one. The mood, the storytelling, the casting, the directing, the pace, all flawless. True greatness. And like his best, easy to watch on repeat. Reiner, let's hope, will in the long run, be given his proper kudos. Comedy is never given its proper respect, such is the disrespect that the pretentious Hollywood dickheads need to prop up drama as more deserving of awards, but let us be honest about art, and never fall for their bullshit. See more Skai T. @RT46035822 May 21 Loved every second of it See more Jason H @RT50328122 May 12 Sanitized movie based on a grisly book. See more acsdoug D @acsdoug May 1 Good story, but Kathy Bates' performance alone is worth the watch. She's terrific. See more Tom F @RT55173143 Apr 24 It holds together pretty well after all these years. 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