31 Days of Horror: Misery (1990)

One word conjures up images in my head that make me shudder. Just the thought of this adaptation of Steven King's novel sends chills up my spine. Starring James Caan as famous novelist Paul Sheldon who has an unfortunate run-in with his 'number one' {psycho} fan as played brilliantly by Kathy Bates.

Bates as Annie and the pain she inflicts on Caan is what creates the terrifying atmosphere in Misery. The quick setup with Sheldon crashing into a snowbank and being rescued by nurse Annie belies the agony about to occur. When Annie freaks over the death of her beloved fictional character, she nearly beats Sheldon to a pulp. Instead, she decides to let Sheldon atone for his book, but writing a new one in which Misery Chastain is resurrected.

Director Rob Reiner fashions Misery as a slow burn from the moment Sheldon {and the audience} realizes Annie has no intention of letting him leave. Annie is alternately sweet and diabolical. Reiner couldn't have cast better. Caan easily develops sympathy from the viewer--how could he not?! It's Kathy Bates that really gets the opportunity to shine. As Annie, Bates simmers a split personality--the scary part is you never know which one is going to show up. It's horrifying.

Under Reiner's direction the house become a playground of torture. The film's pacing is dead-on. The tension between Sheldon and Annie is nearly unbearable. As the viewer, you want Sheldon to escape, but you also recognize that with each unsuccessful attempt brings another lever of misery.

The hobbling scene is easily the pain-filled highlight and the most excoriating moment of the film. Simplistic in nature, the scene practically carries the weight of the entire film.

Misery is unforgettable terror.