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The film is Misery (1990), Rob Reiner’s psychological thriller adapted from Stephen King’s novel. It was listed as an HBO Max arrival for Monday, September 1, 2025, so “comes soon” is now historical wording. The 91% Rotten Tomatoes figure belongs to earlier coverage; the live listing currently shows 86% from critics and 90% from audiences.
What movie is the headline describing?
Misery stars James Caan as novelist Paul Sheldon and Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes, the fan who rescues him after a car crash. William Goldman wrote the screenplay from King’s 1987 novel. The cast also includes Frances Sternhagen, Richard Farnsworth and Lauren Bacall. Rotten Tomatoes classifies the 1990 film as horror, mystery and thriller.
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Misery - Collector's Edition [Blu-ray] | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Misery (4K UHD) | $30.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Misery (FP/BD) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51C6hnp57mL._SL160_.jpg)
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Misery (FP/BD) [Blu-ray] | $14.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Misery [Blu-ray/DVD] | $13.88 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
![Stephen King Double Feature (Misery / Carrie) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/516WjraISLS._SL160_.jpg)
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Stephen King Double Feature (Misery / Carrie) [Blu-ray] | $14.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| Detail | Verified information |
|---|---|
| Theatrical release | November 30, 1990 |
| Director | Rob Reiner |
| Screenwriter | William Goldman |
| Runtime | 1 hour 47 minutes |
| Rating | R |
Film details and the current aggregate score are listed by Rotten Tomatoes; cast and crew information appears on its cast page.
What is Misery about?
Paul survives a serious crash in an isolated area and is taken in by Annie, who says she is his biggest fan. He soon realizes that her care is a form of captivity. Unable to leave because of his injuries, Paul is forced to rewrite his fiction to satisfy Annie’s demands and must find a way to outthink her inside her remote home.
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#1 Best Overall
This is grounded psychological suspense, not a supernatural King story. The threat comes from confinement, coercive control, obsession and Annie’s unpredictable shifts between affection and violence.
Spoiler warning: what is the disturbing scene?
The scene most often associated with the film is Annie’s “hobbling” attack. She uses a sledgehammer on Paul’s legs to make escape impossible. The violence is especially upsetting because it is deliberate and intimate, inflicted on an already injured, helpless victim rather than presented as a fast action set piece.
Rank #2
- From the mind of Stephen King, the master of horror behind Carrie, The Shining, The Stand and It, comes the terrifying psychological thriller that won the Academy Award for its iconic, bone-shattering performance by Kathy Bates (Dolores Claiborne)
That sequence is not a literal on-screen amputation. The film’s attack differs from the novel’s more extreme mutilation, so descriptions saying that the movie cuts off Paul’s foot are inaccurate. Rotten Tomatoes’ retrospective discussion identifies the hobbling as one of the adaptation’s defining moments and connects it to the story’s toxic-fandom themes: “Misery” and toxic fandom.
Why does the thriller remain so highly regarded?
A two-person survival story with constant pressure
The premise gives Paul a clear problem—escape from a captor while physically unable to flee—and turns every conversation, medication, movement and distraction into a tactical decision. The limited setting intensifies rather than diffuses the danger.
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- Factory sealed DVD
Kathy Bates makes Annie unpredictable
Bates can make Annie seem nurturing, funny, devout, childish and terrifying within the same encounter. Her menace is rooted in entitlement and certainty as much as rage. That performance won Bates the Academy Award for Best Actress; Rotten Tomatoes notes the Oscar-winning role in its Kathy Bates profile.
James Caan supplies the audience’s survival perspective
Caan’s Paul is frightened, resourceful and increasingly determined. His physical restriction makes small acts of resistance meaningful, while Reiner’s restrained direction keeps attention on the power struggle instead of supernatural spectacle.
Rank #4
What does the “91% RT” claim mean?
The 91% figure should be treated as a dated snapshot used in 2025 streaming coverage, not a permanent rating. Rotten Tomatoes’ current listing displays 86% from 156 critics and 90% from audiences. Aggregator scores can change as reviews are added, removed or reclassified. The historical arrival and score wording were reported in 2025 coverage.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When did it arrive on HBO Max, and where can you watch it?
The documented HBO Max catalog date was Monday, September 1, 2025, listed among that month’s additions in Rotten Tomatoes’ September 2025 streaming guide. That announcement does not establish that Misery remains on Max now; licensing varies by country and changes over time.
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Best Value
- Check the current Max catalog if you already subscribe.
- If it is absent, compare a one-time rental or purchase through Fandango at Home.
- Apple TV’s U.S. listing identifies the 1990, 1-hour-47-minute film, but availability and pricing depend on territory and can change.
Who should watch it?
Misery is a strong choice for viewers who want a focused psychological thriller, a major villain performance and Stephen King without monsters or elaborate effects. Avoid or approach it cautiously if orthopedic injury, captivity, coercive control or violence against an immobilized person is a particular trigger. Its deliberately claustrophobic setting and small cast are central to the experience, not shortcomings to be “fixed” by later action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Misery a supernatural horror movie?
No. Although Rotten Tomatoes lists it as horror, mystery and thriller, its fear comes from captivity, obsession and psychological control rather than supernatural forces.
Did Kathy Bates win an Oscar for Misery?
Yes. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Annie Wilkes.
Is the hobbling scene the same in the book and film?
No. The movie uses Annie’s sledgehammer attack on Paul’s legs. The novel depicts a different, more extreme mutilation.
The Bottom Line
Misery is the 91%-rated Stephen King thriller referenced by the headline, but both that score and the “coming soon” HBO Max wording are historical. Its September 1, 2025 arrival has passed, while the film’s tightly controlled performances and infamous hobbling scene remain the reasons it still unsettles viewers.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
