Misery (1990) Review – A Masterclass in Psychological Dread and Obsession
Misery: Quick Verdict
The Verdict: A towering achievement in the thriller genre that remains just as visceral and unsettling today as it was upon its release. Misery (1990) succeeds by grounding its horror in a terrifyingly plausible reality, anchored by Kathy Bates’ legendary, Oscar-winning performance. Bates creates a villain in Annie Wilkes who is as pitiable as she is monstrous, weaponising the concept of the “superfan” into a literal nightmare. James Caan is equally impressive, delivering a nuanced and physically demanding performance that forces the audience to share in every wince-inducing moment of his captivity. This 4.6 star effort is a mandatory watch for any film enthusiast and stands as the definitive benchmark for psychological suspense. It is a flawless, bone-chilling masterpiece.
Details: Director: Rob Reiner | Cast: Kathy Bates, James Caan, Richard Farnsworth | Runtime: 1h 47m | Release Date: 1990
Best for: Fans of high-tension thrillers, character studies, and those looking for the absolute pinnacle of Stephen King adaptations.
Worth noting: Kathy Bates was a relatively unknown stage actress before this role, which helped make Annie Wilkes feel even more unpredictable and dangerous to audiences.
Where to Watch: VOD, Amazon🛒
Rating: 4.6/5 Stars
(A relentless and brilliantly acted psychological thriller that transforms a simple case of fandom into one of the most terrifying studies of obsession in cinema history.)
Welcome to Knockout Horror. Today we are going to be taking a look at, what is probably, my personal favourite movie based on a Stephen King novel – Misery (1990).
Highlights
A thriller that never lets up
Everyone knows what this movie is about, right? Misery is the story of an obsessed fan and her desire to control the object of her affection. Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) rescues the famous writer Paul Sheldon (James Caan) after he crashes his car during a snow storm. What begins as a simple fan taking care of her favourite author, quickly turns into a nightmare for Sheldon as it becomes clear that Annie Wilkes is actually the superfan from hell.
“Misery never once takes its foot off the gas. The tension could be cut with a knife and never relents for even a minute. It is a truly fantastic movie that keeps you glued to the screen throughout.”
A simple story in its essence, Misery seeks to keep the viewer on edge throughout. Paul Sheldon is heavily injured and incapable of defending himself in any meaningful way. Totally oblivious to Annie Wilkes’ issues, at first, he doesn’t have any clue what he is in for. This creates an atmosphere of terror as you try to guess what will happen next and how he will inadvertently upset Annie.
Directed by the late Rob Reiner, Misery never once takes its foot of the gas. The tension could be cut with a knife and never relents for even a minute. It’s like a series of horror set pieces designed to test the nerves of the viewer, all joined together by the unnerving anticipation of when Annie Wilkes will make her next terrifying appearance. It is a truly fantastic movie and keeps you glued to the screen throughout.
A legendary horror antagonist
In the history of horror, there have been many iconic villains. Michael Myers, Norman Bates, Jason Vorhees, Leatherface. All of which are completely iconic. The one that I think might be the most scary of all, however, is Annie Wilkes. Stephen King, with Annie, crafted a character that is honestly deranged, terrifyingly realistic, and legitimately scary. One of the reasons why is because she is so real.
There is no mask here to hide the character. Her presence isn’t indicated by a high pitched theme song. She doesn’t make wise cracks. Annie Wilkes is presented how she is: an obsessed person with homicidal tendencies and a severe case of, what appears to be, Borderline Personality Disorder.
“Annie Wilkes is presented how she is: an obsessed person with homicidal tendencies. She is a character capable of idolising a person only for a switch to flip and her to unleash a rage.”
She’s a character capable of idolising a person only for a switch to flip and her to unleash a rage the likes of which you rarely see in movies featuring female antagonists. Every single moment she appears on screen you are waiting with baited breath. You never know what kind of mood she will be in and whether she will dish out affection or carnage. It’s compelling and proper “behind the couch cushions” stuff. Naturally, she would be nothing without a very unwilling victim and this is where a lot of Misery‘s genius lies.
Into the fire
Few movies do such a good job of placing you into the shoes of the victim as well as Misery does. You will be genuinely nervous in much the same way as Paul Sheldon would be every time Annie Wilkes enters the room. It’s easy to understand his fear, too.
This isn’t a person who will just shout, Annie is horribly cruel and incredibly violent. She also has medical knowledge due to being a nurse and has access to drugs. Paul Sheldon’s situation becomes even more desperate with each passing second.
This sense of vulnerability in a protagonist is something that few movies manage to do. The fact that Sheldon tries to fight back but makes his situation worse only adds to it. He is weak and Annie wants to keep him that way so she can stay with him forever. Their physical confrontations or just his simple moments of defiance are some of the most white knuckle scenes in horror and thriller history.
Incredible performances
What can you say about the two stars of Misery that hasn’t already been said? The late James Caan puts on one of his best performances. Nuanced and sympathetic, he feels every part the incapacitated man fighting for his life. A fish out of water who is used to being in control of his life, normally bound by habits and routine, Sheldon is now in a position of submission and pain. Caan does a fantastic job of portraying this and some of his reactions to the things he goes through will legitimately have you wincing along with him.
“Any fan of horror movies or thrillers should definitely watch Misery. Potentially the best Stephen King adaptation ever, it is chilling in its depiction of mental illness and obsession.”
The highlight, however, has to be Kathy Bates’ Oscar winning performance as Annie Wilkes. Incredibly memorable and impactful throughout, Bates puts on one of the best performances in a horror movie of all time. She is legitimately terrifying and entirely believable when she switches from a sweet, overly enthusiastic fan to a deranged lunatic looking to cause pain. Her ability to switch character type on demand means you are never really sure what she will do next.
It helps that Annie Wilkes is a hugely quotable character with some hilarious moments. Her rant regarding the amount of profanity in Sheldon’s new book is absolutely brilliant and perfectly performed by Bates.
The supporting cast is also fantastic. The late Richard Farnsworth’s turn as local sheriff Buster is pitch perfect. He is an immensely likeable character that has you rooting for him to come along and save the day for the entire movie. The dynamic between him and his wife adds a warmth to the movie that would otherwise be missing. I suppose we can’t forget Misery the pig as herself, as well.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The Good
- Kathy Bates: Delivers one of the most iconic and deservedly awarded performances in horror history; she is simply unforgettable as Annie Wilkes.
- Expert Pacing: Rob Reiner keeps the tension at a fever pitch, ensuring the movie never slows down or offers the viewer a moment’s peace.
- James Caan: Provides a perfect, sympathetic foil to Bates, making his character’s vulnerability and desperation feel entirely authentic.
The Bad
- Claustrophobic Setting: While intentional, the single-location focus may feel a bit limiting for viewers who prefer more expansive horror stories.
- High Anxiety: The unrelenting tension is so effective that it might be a bit too stressful for more sensitive viewers to enjoy.
- Dated Tech: A minor point, but the reliance on typewriters and 90s technology might feel slightly quaint to a much younger audience.
The Ugly: The Hobbling. One of the most visceral and wince-inducing scenes in cinema history that remains a physical challenge to watch even decades later.
Should You Watch Misery?
Yes. It is a 4.6 star film that represents the absolute pinnacle of the psychological thriller genre. If you value top-tier acting, masterful direction, and a story that grips you by the throat from the first minute, this is essential viewing. It is the rare adaptation that arguably improves upon its source material by distilling the horror into its purest form. Whether you are a Stephen King fan or just a lover of great cinema, Misery is a mandatory experience.
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