Watch Misery
- R
- 1990
- 1 hr 47 min
-
7.8 (217,453)
Misery is a psychological thriller from 1990 that tells the story of a famous writer, Paul Sheldon (James Caan), who gets into a car accident on a snowy road somewhere in the Colorado mountains. He is rescued by his self-proclaimed "number one fan," Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), who takes him to her remote cabin to nurse him back to health. However, things start to take a sinister turn when Annie refuses to let Paul leave and begins to show her true colors. At first, Annie seems like a kind and caring nurse, tending to Paul's every need and showering him with praise for his novels, particularly his novels about Misery Chastain, a character that she is obsessed with. But as time goes on, Paul realizes that something is off about his captor. Her moods shift in an instant, and she becomes violent and abusive if he does something that she doesn't like. As the days go on, Paul starts to investigate Annie's past and discovers that she has a history of mental illness and violence. He realizes that he's in grave danger and that his only chance of survival is to escape. But Annie is always one step ahead of him, and she will do anything to keep him with her, even if it means killing him. The tension in the movie is palpable as the audience watches the relationship between Paul and Annie deteriorate. Kathy Bates delivers an incredible performance as Annie, bringing a sense of unpredictability and menace to the character. She won an Academy Award for her role and deservedly so. James Caan is also excellent as Paul, and the chemistry between the two actors is electric. The movie is directed by Rob Reiner, who is known for his ability to create tension and suspense in his films. He uses the isolated setting of Annie's cabin to great effect, making the audience feel as trapped and helpless as Paul. The score by composer Marc Shaiman is also worth mentioning, as it adds to the tension and drama of the film. Overall, Misery is a classic psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's a chilling exploration of obsession, mental illness, and the lengths that people will go to in order to hold onto their idols. It's a must-see for fans of the genre, and even for those who aren't, it's a film that will stick with you long after the credits roll.