Opened: November 30, 1990

Directed by: Rob Reiner

Starring: James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen & Lauren Bacall

One might wonder about being famous and having fans, but Misery shows the nightmare it could be.

After getting in a bad car accident in Colorado, romance author Paul Sheldon (James Caan) is pulled out by his number one fan Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates). She tends to his every need, but her intentions become sinister when she reads his latest novel that kills off her favorite character.

Bates plays the role of the lifetime and makes Annie one of the most interesting villains ever seen on screen. She takes the cues from Stephen King’s novel and evenly mixes the caring nurse and obsessed psychopath for a character you’ll love to hate.

There are differences from the novel, but with fast pacing and anxiety driven moments, this is one of the best thrillers you’ll see.

Final say: Anything but miserable. ★★★★★