Misery
Movie, 1990, The '90s, Set in Annie Wilkes's farmhouse
Misery is #13 of 42 in release order and #8 of 42 in chronological order in the Stephen King Universe.
The story
After an accident, acclaimed novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued by a nurse who claims to be his biggest fan. Her obsession takes a dark turn when she holds him captive in her remote Colorado home and forces him to write back to life the popular literary character he killed off.
Misery recap
Misery (1990) follows novelist Paul Sheldon, who wakes after a car crash in the remote farmhouse of Annie Wilkes, his self-described number one fan. Rob Reiner directs James Caan as Paul and Kathy Bates as Annie, a former nurse who pulled him from the snow outside Sidewinder, Colorado. Paul has just finished a serious novel and killed off Misery Chastain, the heroine of his bestselling romances. Annie forces him to burn the new manuscript, and when she reads that Misery dies, she flies into a rage, keeps him prisoner and makes him write Misery back to life. Paul secretly explores the house on his crippled legs and finds Annie's scrapbook of her killings, including babies at the hospital where she worked. Annie catches on and breaks his ankles with a sledgehammer. Local sheriff Buster (Richard Farnsworth) keeps investigating Paul's disappearance and comes to the farm.
Misery ending explained
Misery ends with Paul killing Annie. She shoots Buster, and Paul pretends to finish the new book, then sets the manuscript alight. In the fight that follows he hits her with the typewriter and finally kills her with her cast-iron pig doorstop. Eighteen months later, walking with a cane, Paul meets his agent in a restaurant and sees a waitress who looks like Annie. In the novel, Annie cuts off Paul's foot with an axe instead of hobbling him.
Post-credits scenes
No. Misery has no mid- or post-credits scene.
Where to watch Misery
Misery is streaming on HBO Max in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.8/10, Rotten Tomatoes 86%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Pet Sematary, before It.
- Chronological order: after The Running Man, before The Shawshank Redemption.
What to watch before Misery
In release order, 7 Stephen King Universe essentials come before Misery (1990), from Carrie (1976) to The Running Man (1987).
Cast
- Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes
- James Caan as Paul Sheldon
- Richard Farnsworth as Buster
- Lauren Bacall as Marcia Sindell
- Frances Sternhagen as Virginia
- Graham Jarvis as Libby
- Jerry Potter as Pete
- Thomas Brunelle as Anchorman
- June Christopher as Anchorwoman
- Julie Payne as Reporter #1
- Archie Hahn as Reporter #2
- Gregory Snegoff as Reporter #3
Directed by Rob Reiner.