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Misery

Play trailer Poster for Misery R 1990 1h 47m Horror Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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87% Tomatometer 150 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 Kane New York Daily News 6d
Rob Reiner's clever but unobtrusive direction keeps the story in tight focus. Go to Full Review Jeff Strickler Minneapolis Star Tribune 6d
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 Alexander Walker London Evening Standard 6d
What happens in director Rob Reiner's thriller, scripted by William Goldman, may not be plausible. But it sure is gripping, and physically painful, too, to watch. Go to Full Review Martin Knelman National Post 6d
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 6d
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 Mary MacGoris Irish Independent 6d
The whole piece, adroitly directed by Rob Reiner, grips like super-glue in a measured accumulation of tongue-in-cheek tension. 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 Mariana T @M.Tezeta 21h 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 ou8 1 @Ou812 Jan 12 Misery is an excellent adaption of the similarly exceptional novel. See more Duane M @Duanedabath Jan 9 Easily one of the best King adaptations, in no small part because of the two committed lead performances. See more L F. @NewViewReviews Jan 8 The year is 2026 and it’s my first time watching Misery, shame on me! I know lol. Needless to say it’s safe to say that 36 years later this movie is still fantastic. It’s funny because this movie is actually 7 years older than me but I enjoyed it as if it was brand spanking new. Cathy Bates performance was second to none, great movie with a stellar cast. R.I.P Rob and thank you (& Stephen King) for this classic film. See more Daniel L Jan 4 Great movie! Was not expecting to like this as much as I did. Brilliant acting by Cathy Bates and James Caan. And brilliant writing. It's oddly captivating. It's very slow paced with not a lot happening but you just find yourself drawn in and unable to look away. 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
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