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Misery
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Misery

1990
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
1h 47m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 61.89% from 6551 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(6551)
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Rated 15 Apr 2012
80
88th
This is exactly what happened to George Lucas and explains all the rewrites to a story that was already done.
Rated 06 Oct 2019
75
69th
I'm finding myself appreciating Stephen King movies more these days Kathy Bates gives her best performance and what is scary about Misery besides the obvious hobbling scene The idea of a fan becoming obsessed with their celebrity idol
Rated 01 Nov 2020
85
92nd
#TheBookWasBetter but this was great too, especially when you consider that all we have are Bates, Caan, and a cabin. A lesser movie would have tried to pad out the time with flashbacks with other characters or something. I haven't even watched this in a few years, but can remember the film well enough to write a late review. I wish they chopped Caan's feet off like in the books though. Fav scene: wheeling around in the kitchen and the basement.
Rated 28 Apr 2009
75
59th
Incredibly tense, just nerve-wracking. Bates is sometimes sinister, sometimes funny, creating an absolutely terrifying presence. Needs some more trimming, but it still works. Good to see a horror film that doesn't rely on jump scares or gore.
Rated 11 Jan 2007
4
70th
One of the better Steven King adaptations. The tension between Bates and Caan is enormous; Bates in particular is impressive. It's also a great piece of camp when it wants to be.
Rated 01 Feb 2007
75
50th
A perfect performance by Kathy Bates and James Caan isn't far behind. The chilling premise is both well thought out by Stephen King and well realized by Rob Reiner. The main problems with the movie are: A) many unnecessary scenes with the sheriff and his wife, which, while decent when viewed separately, detract from the story; and B) some hard-to-ignore implausibilites relating to the car wreck being found and the bizarre decision not to search the nearby area for Caan's character's body.
Rated 20 Feb 2019
8
78th
Becomes increasingly creepier and suspenseful to the point where you just embrace the fucked up nature of the situation. Bates and Caan are great, though had I been in his place, I would've probably been like Homer in that Simpsons episode where he is lying on the couch after injuring his back, ringing his handbell: Oh, Annie, I'm still hurt! ANNIE! GET THE DOOR!
Rated 12 Feb 2010
70
83rd
Fun and thrilling movie. It's rare to see a horror thriller that actually goes beyond "ohhh... this is so stupid, but it's entertaining". Reiner made a genre movie that can be seriously considered a good movie, mostly due to the great cast and script. Misery really nails it... with a sledgehammer.
Rated 04 Apr 2011
95
96th
Kathy Bates is a revelation in this and I have never used revelation ever. EVER. Weird prequel to Elf.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
77th
Great thriller that features an inspired performance by Bates, who amazes in every single scene.
Rated 22 Mar 2007
74
48th
An intense thriller with a remarkable performance by Kathy Bates. It's the kind of movie that is both disturbing and enchanting at the same time.
Rated 19 Nov 2017
80
86th
Note to self: Make sure never to make Kathy Bates angry.
Rated 21 Oct 2020
88
57th
Really good adaptation of a really great book. Bates knocks the part of Wilkes out of the park and Caan is really good as Sheldon. I even liked Farnsworth's added character. It does completely capture the absolute insanity of Wilkes like the book does, but the performance is so good it's forgivable. While I would have preferred a slight more accurate adaption story-wise, this was still very close to the book and a good film. Definitely check it out.
Rated 19 Apr 2009
8
90th
What could have been a solid but ultimately forgettable thriller is single-handedly improved by Bates' performance. Perhaps one of the most frightening and suspenseful performances I've ever seen actually, second only to Jack Nicholson in the Shining.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
97th
Fantastic. Not super scary, just really creepy. Bates and Caan are at the top of their game; I'll never look at Kathy Bates the same again.
Rated 07 Nov 2016
70
36th
"You like Liberace, don't you?" "Y-Yes..." Caan's "can you believe this crazy bitch" facial expressions are hilarious.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
84th
Terrifying. When she tied his ankles to that wood block I wigged right the fuck out.
Rated 09 Nov 2015
75
64th
While it's not the best King film adaptation, it's still pretty damn good. Kathy Bates destroyed the role and Caan did a pretty good job with his. And the tension is amazing! Some of the best I have seen. Not that its a bad story, but its slow to start though, and doesn't always hit the mark as a screenplay. Still a really solid film, definitely worth a watch.
Rated 14 Oct 2008
80
54th
Im a stephen king and kathy bates fan. Absolutely love this movie. Has some heavy tense suspense and scary scenes.
Rated 22 Sep 2010
74
90th
One of the best King adaptions not directed by Frank Darabont. Bates is frightening.
Rated 26 Jul 2008
85
55th
fantastic adaptation of the now classic stephen king novel with of the great female vilains of all time along with nurse ratched from one flew over the cuckoos nest.
Rated 17 Sep 2017
80
75th
Reiner directs this film somewhat plainly, but it really speaks to Bates' performance that this film still manages to be great. Caan is a superb foil for Bates.
Rated 05 Jan 2008
89
92nd
Coldy chilling in parts and never let this woman near a sledge hammer ! Packed with suspense and worryingly believable. Well judged pace and icy characters.
Rated 21 Aug 2011
8
80th
Kathy Bates' performance was beautiful, really made the film for me.
Rated 23 Aug 2010
7
65th
Nails the atmosphere and Kathy Bates is genuinely scary. Ultimately besides a certain sledgehammer, 'Misery' won't leave much of an impression on you.
Rated 31 Mar 2007
100
95th
Brilliant. Kathy Bates is great, and William Goldman does an outstanding job of adapting what is basically a two-character novel into a motion picture
Rated 18 Nov 2013
68
55th
One of the few movies I can legitimately call scary. Probably deserves a re-watch since I saw it about 15 years ago
Rated 15 Mar 2023
89
49th
Nice acting helped along by a tense score and the awkward kitschiness.
Rated 30 Mar 2008
79
83rd
One of the best examples of non-supernatural, non-graphic suspense. Far exceeds anything achieved by the Saw movies. This is a must-watch, even though many parts are not for the faint of heart. Again, there are very few gory sequences in the movie, but the tension is palpable throughout. A true achievement in the suspense/horror/thriller genre.
Rated 08 Oct 2017
75
62nd
Misery is a great example of a film that is based on a very simple, plausible idea, but when fleshed out becomes riddled with plotholes and daft premises .... but is completely redeemed by superb acting performances, and great direction. Once again I call on actors to check that someone is actually dead before breathing a sigh of relief .... just a moment to check the pulse can save a lot of heartache later.
Rated 03 Nov 2022
70
74th
Watched for the first time 30 years after release. Stephen King is obsessed with himself. The sheriff never stood a chance.
Rated 21 Nov 2010
80
84th
Great performance by Kathy Bates and the film thankfully takes out some of the more exaggerated points in Stephen King's novel. The casting is perfect for this and maintains suspense throughout.
Rated 31 Jul 2009
80
55th
This was a creepy, solid entry into the horror genre.
Rated 17 Nov 2011
3
45th
There's a campiness to Kathy Bates' performance that enhances rather than undermines the tension. Claustrophobic and cringe-worthy. I could do without the silly old bickering couple, though.
Rated 11 Aug 2007
25
22nd
Ouch! That's gotta hurt! Well-made and well-acted, but mean-spirited and extremely unpleasant to watch.
Rated 22 Feb 2008
90
73rd
One of the few Stephen King based movies watch seeing.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
84
89th
Excellent, if not wholly accurate adaptation. If the film lacks the brutality of the book, it certainly makes up for it in terms of suspense and atmosphere. Bates and Cann are both excellent in this top class horror, that should be a lesson in how to make a character shocking and sadistic without resorting to the mindless gore of plotless bloodfests like "Saw" and "Hostel".
Rated 13 May 2008
7
68th
Kathy Bates is the shit. The ending should have been cut out though.
Rated 17 Aug 2010
90
66th
Another great adaptation of a wonderful Stephen King book. Kathy Bates is fabulous and utterly unforgettable as the deranged fan. Great suspense and a wonderful ending! A must see for King fans.
Rated 20 Oct 2008
78
82nd
Great performances all around!
Rated 22 Feb 2007
60
62nd
Great film.
Rated 29 Jun 2014
81
82nd
This is a well made horror and thriller film. James Caan is great playing a writer who is stuck with an obsessed fan. Kathy Bates is fantastic in her role and she got a well deserved Oscar for her performance. The script has a simple premise that is executed extremely well. I highly recommend this film.
Rated 27 Jul 2008
85
70th
What a great way to use a sledgehammer.....
Rated 21 Feb 2011
80
90th
Reiner does King again. And it's really good. Love the restraint and lack of typical horror gimmickry, Bates and Caan are great at pulling off suspense simply by interaction. I guess this is the ultimate horror-scenario for every artist. Being completely and utterly at the mercy of a dissatisfied, batshit crazy fan, loving you for all the wrong reasons. Creepy.
Rated 29 Jul 2008
87
96th
Very Nice
Rated 26 Feb 2007
78
88th
Bates is amazing. A classic thriller.
Rated 14 Apr 2024
75
65th
Rated 28 Apr 2009
88
78th
Incredibly intense film and maybe King's best.
Rated 11 Feb 2009
60
28th
Kathy Bates is excellent in it. Very entertaining, moody movie.
Rated 10 Dec 2016
88
50th
2
Rated 11 Jun 2022
85
90th
A lot less "miserable" than I expected. Not that it isn't a miserable situation for our helpless protagonist, but I guess I had built the film up in my mind (on no real basis) as being more intense, with more of a continual stream of torture... perfectly fine for that not to be the case. I'm not seeking schadenfreude. I just didn't think I'd be laughing as much as I was, that the palette would be this colourful, or the tone so playful.
Rated 26 Apr 2009
80
84th
Breaking your ankles.
Rated 06 Aug 2010
92
51st
A good suspenseful movie.
Rated 15 Jul 2013
80
80th
It really starts and ends with Kathy Bates. It's pretty terrifying.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
90th
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Rated 21 Jun 2010
90
70th
One of Stephen King's better adaptations. Kathy Bates is classic in the role of the deranged fan.
Rated 01 May 2019
90
84th
Misery is filled with creepiness. There is a sense of horror and uneasiness from the first moment that Kathy Bates says, "I'm your number one fan." Bates does a fantastic job of slowly unraveling during this film. Caan, who doesn't really play anything but himself in any of his roles, is believable as a famous novelist. This movie is a classic thriller movie and something that could be watched multiple times. Reiner did a good job shooting this movie that largely takes place in one room.
Rated 11 Nov 2013
8
80th
Misery is a good nail biter because Stephen King likes to be an asshole and fuck with your sense of plot-direction. The minute you think James Caan's plot for escape is making progress, a wrench is thrown in the works, and he's back to the drawing board. I also liked the comedic elements of the film, most of which stem from Kathy Bates' hilarious role as a, uh, "psycho bitch".
Rated 08 Nov 2016
100
61st
Great story line, keeps you engaged.
Rated 23 Oct 2010
95
91st
Excellent, classic thriller one of the best King adaptations. The hobbling scene still ranks as one of the most horrible torture scenes committed to film. Caan and Bates are well matched; also love Richard Farnsworth and Frances Sternhagen as the Sherriff and his wife; both have great chemistry together.
Rated 20 Jan 2013
70
64th
Claustrophobic and suspenseful. Some great winter imagery too.
Rated 23 Jul 2009
70
59th
Scary look at life as a celebrity.
Rated 11 Aug 2010
77
43rd
Decent King adaptation.
Rated 19 Aug 2012
90
40th
The first half of the horror-thriller Misery is strong, with tension and suspense increasing. The second half, though, starts to drag because of a tonne of filler and story aspects that seem pointless and excessively drawn out. The effect is that the movie drags on too long and loses some of its initial energy.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
79
84th
An excellent thriller from Rob Reiner and William Goldman. Put Kathy Bates on the MAP!
Rated 30 Aug 2020
78
78th
The suspense, the tension. The best parts of this movie. Some great acting, but the mood was what made the movie for me.
Rated 08 Feb 2011
75
48th
A great reversal of traditional power dynamics. The campier bits are very funny, and the unabashedly drastic camerawork contributes to it immensely. Kathy Bates is spectacular. The Rocket Man monologue alone is enough to make this a performance for all time. James Caan plays off her wisely, avoiding heroics and playing up the character's cynicism. The sheriff subplot is charmingly acted by Farnsworth and Sternhagen but is never really given a raison d'etre. And the epilogue stinks of Limburger.
Rated 25 Mar 2024
83
73rd
Feels very traditional, yet of its time for a horror movie. It's a bit too predictable in its beats to be truly startling, but it's still very tense due to its thrilling character dynamic and how much screenwriter Goldman mines out of it, as well as how Reiner keeps this limited set-up from never getting boring or repetitive. Both actors are excellent in their own ways in their roles, though I'd say I wish Caan's character had a bit more wit or some kind of author-esque quality to his dialogue.
Rated 05 Aug 2008
82
79th
Disturbing...but well written.
Rated 15 May 2008
85
72nd
Cringe-inducing even after multiple viewings.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
85th
WOW! Wow. Morbid story with two great actors. kathy won a oscar for this. Tension and fear. Got a get a cigarete afterwards.
Rated 28 Jun 2011
80
37th
A bit disappointing as an adaption because Goldman's decision to add new characters really takes away from the novel's isolation. On its own, however, this is great. Kathy Bates is awesome and the pacing is impeccable.
Rated 12 Jul 2008
76
68th
Chilling adaptation of an awesome Stephen King novel.
Rated 21 May 2013
85
85th
Kathy Bates was definitely in peak form here, bringing her sadistic character to life, and Caan does awesome work as the novelist Paul Sheldon. Reiner manages to capture the atmosphere, keeping it brooding and tense throughout. It's intense, disturbing, claustrophobic, and uncomfortable in the best possible way, but the ending gets a little heavy handed with a score that isn't everything it could be. Still, one of the better adaptations of King's work to film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
4
64th
Good adaptation from the book. Bates is creepy in her role.
Rated 10 Jul 2008
40
33rd
Average film, silly ending, good acting. Didn't read the book.
Rated 29 Jun 2008
85
66th
Holy crap, I've never been so scared of a person as I am of Kathy Bates...
Rated 15 Oct 2008
92
79th
Makes my skin crawl just thinking about it. Stephen King needs to give up on horror.
Rated 10 Sep 2015
75
53rd
He didn't get out of the cockadoodie car!
Rated 20 Dec 2011
98
58th
Novelist Paul Sheldon crashes his car on a snowy Colorado road. He is found by Annie Wilkes, the "number one fan" of Paul's heroine Misery Chastaine. Annie is also somewhat unstable, and Paul finds himself crippled, drugged and at her mercy. In this darkly humorous thriller, James Caan portrays Romantic novelist Paul Sheldon, famously renowned for his trademark character, the film's namesake 'Misery' Chastaine. shortly after finishing his latest book, he drives of back to New York from the Silve
Rated 05 May 2010
80
80th
Very tense and suspenseful atmosphere thanks to Kathy Bates. What a wonderful job she did.
Rated 29 Oct 2010
7
70th
Presumably the movie responsible for coining the term: "Legcrunchylicious."
Rated 27 Apr 2007
85
72nd
Awesome story...book was much better, but still a well orchestrated screen play
Rated 30 Aug 2011
80
72nd
Loved it...what more to say?
Rated 15 Nov 2014
77
72nd
Saw this in my early teens and it didn't scare me too much though I loved many aspects of it. Need to rewatch this sometime.
Rated 14 Jan 2012
72
88th
A writer's worst nightmare, and pretty damn scary to everyone else, too.
Rated 11 Oct 2010
60
20th
Good story, but Rob Reiner is a terrible director (especially when he's trying to be Kubrick) and ruins the whole thing.
Rated 10 May 2009
88
87th
An original, engaging and timeless film. One of the few Stephen King stories that properly translates to film. Don't pass this one up.
Rated 18 Dec 2009
66
54th
This nerve-wrecking film based on a novel by Stephen King makes you feel very uncomfortable, which is strengthened by the great performance by Kathy Bates playing the obsessed fan.
Rated 31 Dec 2007
90
80th
A classic in the suspense/thriller genre, quite easily. The infamous ankle scene is one that will stick with anyone who has seen it until their dying day.
Rated 30 Jun 2008
80
65th
Trashy but fun.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
81
71st
Not 100% true to the novel, but Kathy Bates just owns her role. She is truly on top of her game in this one.
Rated 01 Jun 2011
100
97th
Amazing! My favorite Stephen King movie. While Kathy Bates did get deserved praise, James Caan also did a perfect job in a very demanding role. KUDOS to all!
Rated 18 Aug 2009
40
54th
Great performance by Kathy Bates but the film pales in comparison to other psychological thrillers. Great ending though.
Rated 23 Feb 2010
80
42nd
Good performances and effective suspense, but without depth and a little too sadistic for my taste. I have to admit, though, that Kathy Bates is very good.
Rated 25 Sep 2011
73
77th
Annie is so fascinating, personal and heartbreaking that she almost resembles Carrie. Apart from her, "Misery" is pretty average.
Rated 07 Feb 2011
56
64th
i dig the visual style, but bates is just too ridiculous to be taken seriously, and i think the ending leaves a lot to be desired. the film really climaxes with that one scene (you know the one) and after that it fails to escalate the horror effectively.
Rated 28 Jul 2008
90
81st
Very suspenseful. Kathy Bates is awesome in this movie. This was better than the book, which I can't say for most Stephen King adaptations.
Rated 31 Mar 2024
84
84th
Rated 23 Oct 2007
95
92nd
One of the few movies as good as the book.

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