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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 152 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

What to Know

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 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 Rosie D. @Rosieeeee Mar 28 A masterclass in 90s psychological thrillers. The adaptation is practically flawless. It's tightly plotted, and every single setup has a satisfying payoff. Kathy Bates perfectly captures that terrifying brand of obsessive fandom. Honestly, a modern-day remake centered around toxic stan culture would be so fitting for 2026. See more Chris B. @ctotheg Mar 16 Love this movie start to finish See more Antonio C. @AntonioCannella Mar 10 The movie is good, now Katy is everything. Must Watch See more Madam D @Madam1948 Mar 8 Lost count how many times I've seen this film. Everything is very well done. The screen play is terrific & the acting superb. Perfectly horrific; keeps you on the edge of your seat. See more Par H @Parhwy Mar 6 Misery is a 107-minute-long film from 1990 which I watched on free-to-air television in March 2026. I have watched this film perhaps three or four times over the years. I like the film and did not like King’s book (those cut-backs to the in-novel Misery chapters were not enjoyable). There are so many iconic scenes in Misery. I like the cleverness of the penguin, the revelation of the dirty bird, the shocking brutality of the cobbling. James Caan as the writer works for me because I always see as the tough, eldest son in The Godfather. And Kathie Bates is wonderful. I always enjoy the mom and pop Sheriff couple. Set and scenery is good. Rewatch? Yes (albeit with a few years between). Recommend? Yes. 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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