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Misery

Misery

Drama · Thriller · 1990

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.

Movie details

Misery

“Paul Sheldon used to write for a living. Now, he’s writing to stay alive.”

1990 Drama · Thriller 1h 47m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.8 / 10

Community rating

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.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Misery?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Where it lives

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Rob Reiner

Written by

William Goldman · Stephen King

Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates

Annie Wilkes

James Caan

James Caan

Paul Sheldon

Richard Farnsworth

Richard Farnsworth

Buster

Lauren Bacall

Lauren Bacall

Marcia Sindell

Frances Sternhagen

Frances Sternhagen

Virginia

Graham Jarvis

Graham Jarvis

Libby

Jerry Potter

Jerry Potter

Pete

Court is in session

Put Misery on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.