Misery (1990)

“Misery” is easily one of my favorite Stephen King adapted films because the movie is so intense and realistic. There is nothing supernatural or extravagant here; there are no ghosts or premonitions or psychic powers or possessions (all of which I enjoy). This is a believable story about entrapment, isolation, mental and physical abuse, and being at the mercy of a lunatic with anger management issues. James Cann has a stunning performance but it’s Kathy Bates who steals the show, later winning the Academy Award for Best Actress. The movie was a critical success and it remains one of Stephen King’s favorite adaptions.

Paul Sheldon is a famous author who found success with a series about a character known as Misery Chastain. He’s grown tired writing about Misery and wants to try other styles, and while on his way from Colorado to LA with a new manuscript, Paul has an accident and drives off the road during a snow storm. He’s found and rescued by a local hermit, Annie Wilkes, who nurses him back to health. She searches through his belongings and discovers who he is, and when he’s awake she tells him that she’s his “number one fan”. While he’s resting and healing, she buys the newest (and last) book about Misery and she freaks out when she reads the ending and learns that Misery has died. In retaliation, she destroys Paul’s new manuscript in front of him and forces him to write a new story about Misery. Paul soon realizes that Annie is keeping him hostage, that she never called anyone to let them know that he’s alive and with her. Her anger and demands rise as the tension builds between the two which leads to a violent, all or nothing climax.