SummaryAfter a famous author is rescued from a car crash by a fan of his novels, he comes to realize that the care he is receiving is only the beginning of a nightmare of captivity and abuse.
Directed By:Rob Reiner
Written By:Stephen King, William Goldman
Misery
Metascore
Generally Favorable
75
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.3
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
75
87% Positive
20 Reviews
20 Reviews
13% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
In a way, Misery is a ghoul comedy. But it's more than that, because it's genuinely, consistently scary. With his enthusiastic direction -- the cutting, the odd angles, the unexpected timing -- Rob Reiner takes what might have been a static set-up, a couple of people talking in a room, and makes it harrowing. [30 Nov 1990, p.E1]
88
It does what it desires to do - it suspensefully squeezes the sweat out of the pores - but the salty stench it leaves behind in the persona of Annie Wilkes is a residue that transcends its intentions. [30 Nov 1990]
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.3
93% Positive
140 Ratings
140 Ratings
7% Mixed
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
Jan 24, 2026
10
A masterclass in psychological dread that turns isolation and obsessed fandom into an unforgettable, nerve-shredding thriller.2008 (5.0)Directed by Rob Reiner, "Misery" (1990) is a brilliant psychological horror thriller adapted from Stephen King's acclaimed 1987 novel. The story centers on Paul Sheldon, a famous author known for his popular series of Victorian-era romance novels featuring the heroine Misery Chastain. Desperate to pivot toward serious literary fiction, Paul finishes his latest manuscript at a remote Colorado lodge and sets off for Los Angeles. However, a violent blizzard causes his car to crash off a deserted mountain road, leaving him severely injured with **** legs. He is rescued from the wreckage by Annie Wilkes, a former nurse who happens to be his self-proclaimed "number one fan." Annie takes him to her secluded home to nurse him back to health, but her warm hospitality quickly turns sinister when she reads his unpublished final Misery novel and discovers he has killed off her favorite character. Enraged and mentally unstable, Annie holds Paul captive, forcing him to destroy his new work and write a resurrection novel exclusively for her. Trapped, bedridden, and subjected to horrific physical and psychological torment, Paul must use his intellect to outwit his obsessive captor and find a way to escape. Starring James Caan as Paul Sheldon and Kathy Bates in an Oscar-winning performance as Annie Wilkes, the film builds an incredible sense of claustrophobia and tension. Viewing this in 2013 was an astonishing, unforgettable cinematic experience that truly earned a perfect rating for its brilliant suspense and legendary performances.
Oct 26, 2025
10
delightfully written and acted. I love a good what would you do scenario - imagine writing books while hostage. bravo at the suspense.
80
There are a few holes in the plot, mainly towards the end, but from start to harrowing finish, it is blissfully apparent that Rob Reiner can indeed turn his hand to virtually anything.
75
Reiner's direction and William Goldman's script succeed on their own cartoonish level, and Kathy Bates, who plays the fan as if she were a close relative of Norman Bates, rips into the role with undisguised relish. [30 Nov 1990, p.24]
75
It is a good story, a natural, and it grabs us. But just as there is almost no way to screw it up, so there's hardly any way to bring it above a certain level of inspiration.
67
James Caan is excellent as the writer and Kathy Bates is brilliant as his captor. Unfortunately, what could have been a seamless psychological thriller is interrupted by violence that's as gratuitous as it is sadistic.
40
A weak handshake of a movie, it is slightly repellent -- hardly gripping, much less knuckle-whitening. This "Psycho" for fatsos is as self-aware as it is styleless.
Mar 22, 2022
10
Along with The Shawshank Redemption and Stand By Me, Misery is one of the best adaptations of Stephen King's work. On its own terms too, it is a brilliant film with a wonderful atmosphere especially. The film looks very good, with the sets, costumes, locations and cinematography striking and suitably atmospheric. The screenplay is very fine, exploring themes such as fanatical devotion, artistic dilemmas and worthiness of commercial fiction without a psychological suspense context, while the story is always well paced and compelling. Also outstanding is the direction of Rob Reiner. He adeptly exercises in chilling claustrophobia and allows a numerous numbers of genuine jolts. The acting is great, James Caan, Richard Farnsworth and Lauren Bacall are all great but the film belongs to Kathy Bates who is monstrously scary and deservedly won an Oscar for her brilliant performance. Overall, Misery is a superb film and one of the best Stephen King adaptations. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Jun 9, 2020
10
The most intense thriller I've ever seen, I thought I was going to have a heart attack, a masterpiece in it's genre and one of the very best films I've ever made in my opinion.
Oct 14, 2017
10
An amazing movie. You can feel the terror the author felt for most of the movie thanks to the beautiful score and Kathy Bate's stellar acting in this. A classic thriller that didn't need twists to keep me on the edge of my seat
Jan 11, 2019
6
Not bad and not special. I could say at least that it's the decent Stephen-King-movie (because as many as I have watched, they are all boring as hell).
Nov 8, 2018
5
Bates did a great job as Annie but I wasn't a fan of the whole sub-plot with the Sheriff because that took the focus away from Paul and his increasingly dire situation. Also, I felt that Paul's portrayal wasn't really on par with what could have been. Not saying that Caan did a bad job, He was fine, but I felt that the character was just poorly written and it wasn't until the very end where we see that mental anguish that was missing for most of the movie.
Production Company:
- Castle Rock Entertainment
- Nelson Entertainment
Release Date:Nov 30, 1990
Duration:1 h 47 m
Rating:R
Tagline:This Christmas there will be... Misery.
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
• 5 Nominations
