Misery (1990)

Misery (1990) is a taut psychological thriller that plunges viewers into a tense, claustrophobic nightmare. After bestselling novelist Paul Sheldon is badly injured in a car crash, he is saved by Annie Wilkes, a seemingly kind former nurse who claims to be his “number one fan.” Taken to her remote mountain home to recover, Paul soon realizes that Annie’s devotion is dangerously obsessive. When she discovers he has killed off her favorite character, her mood flips from caretaking to controlling and violent — and Paul’s recuperation becomes a fight for survival. Watching Misery feels like being trapped in a single, slowly tightening room: the film leans on close quarters, escalating threats, and performance-driven intensity rather than spectacle. The tone moves from uneasy politeness to brutal psychological and physical torment, punctuated by moments of dark humor and shocking brutality that keep the tension high. You’ll experience mounting dread, shock at Annie’s unpredictable behavior, and sympathy for Paul’s desperate attempts to outwit his captor. The film is anchored by powerhouse performances that make the horror personal and affecting; the dynamic between captor and captive creates a disturbing, cat-and-mouse drama that explores fandom gone wrong, creative ownership, and survival. If you watch Misery, expect a gripping, nerve-jangling ride — intimate, disturbing, and unforgettable — that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Actors: James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth

Director: Rob Reiner

Runtime: 107 min

Genres: Drama, Thriller

7.5 /10 75 /100 7.8 /10 7.6 /10