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Misery

Play trailer Poster for Misery R 1990 1h 47m Horror Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 151 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
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
Robert W. Butler Kansas City Star Jan 22
3/4
This is a film that makes you laugh with nasty glee, jump out of your skin and then laugh again. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Damion Jan 21 Another one of Stephen Kings novels adapted flawlessly! See more Alex H. @MovieReviewersClub 2d Having read Stephen King's Misery before watching the screen adaptation, I was able to really familiarize myself with the characters and settings like never before. Having said that, the movie stands tall all on its own. With riveting moments of anger, excitement and even love, Misery finds its way to the top 90's movies as a gripping drama and thriller. Paul Sheldon has just finished one of his most recent novels. When doing so he always has the same routine. Travel to Boulder, CO and reserve the same room at the Boulderado Hotel. Lighting a single cigarette and have a glass of Don Perignon to celebrate has become a tradition as well. On his way back, after finishing the novel, he gets thrown into a terrible blizzard. His car goes hurdling through the air and lands all beat up in a side ditch. Ever since the moment the car flew off the road, his life had changed forever. In this enthralling book you will find yourself experiencing times of pain, confusion and scary out-lashes from his so-called "caretaker". Drugged and beaten, Paul manages to continue on in the slim hope of being rescued. With Rob Reiner at the lead, Stephen King's 23 published book becomes a fantastic motion picture that encapsulates all the emotions from the book showing the high similarity between the two. Overall the film captures in good detail what it would be like to be held captive by your savior. See more Keith B B @Okbullard Feb 5 This was in the top ten favorite films. James Caan was excellent as usual but Kathy Bates was extraordinary and definitely earned her Oscar. It was such a thriller and had many intense scenes. I was shocked after my first watch decades ago. Give it a look you'll not be disappointed, I mean come on you can't go wrong with a Stephen King story. See more Trevor S @PopcornPopper Feb 5 One of the best King movie adaptations. A great film to watch annually in the winter. See more Kevin N. @TopCriticKevin Jan 31 Good and suspenseful. A masterful acting performance from the two leads. A must see. See more Mariana T @M.Tezeta Jan 27 Kathy Bates' performance is so flawless that she becomes one of those antagonists you won't be able to get out of your head. Although the film omits many events that are essential to Stephen King's work, it manages to maintain its pace with a simple aesthetic and an intriguing script. However, I lacked the patience to fully connect with the entire story, especially when only the officers appeared. See more 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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