For all the excellentStephen Kingfilm adaptations that are out there, fromFrank Darabont’sThe Shawshank RedemptiontoBrian De Palma’sCarrieandStanley Kubrick’sThe Shining,only one can saythat it came away with an Oscar –Rob Reiner’sMisery. Released in 1990 to widespread critical acclaim, the feature based on King’s 1987 novel of the same name is carried bya famous, career-defining performanceby the greatKathy Batesas the obsessive Annie Wilkes that would earn the actress her only statuette to date. Between her scene-chewing acting and a strong screen partner inJames Caan, it’s still viewed among the best takes on the master of horror’s work to date, with a 91%Rotten Tomatoesscore. Starting this month, this gem of horror history is now also free to watch as part ofTubi’s catalog.
The vast majority ofMisery’s screen time is dominated by Bates and Caan as Wilkes and Victorian romance novelist Paul Sheldon. The film begins with Sheldon looking to move on from his beloved series following the titular Misery Chastain, and he even has a manuscript that will clear the way for something new. When hecrashes his car in a blizzard, however, he winds up in the care of Wilkes, his self-described number-one fan and a nurse. What starts as a fortunate, if uncomfortable, situation asWilkes offers to care for him in her remote cabin becomes a nightmarewhen she discovers that Sheldon plans to kill off Misery. She uses the situation to force him to write a new draft to her liking, growing more violent over time. Sheldon is left with no choice but to try and escape his deranged captor,becoming fully aware of what she’s capable ofthroughout his captivity.
Miserywas Reiner’s second attempt at recreating the work of King after the success of his also belovedStand By Me, and it once again became a hit at the box office with $61.3 million. The film was one of three collaborations theThis Is Spinal Taphelmer had with two-time Oscar winnerWilliam GoldmanalongsideThe Princess BrideandA Few Good Men. Together with Bates, they earned praise for presenting a layered rendition of one of the mostchilling and frighteningly believable King villainsthat the author himself has called his favorite character. The team also landed a limited but solid supporting cast around her and Caan, includingRichard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen, andLauren Bacall.
What Other Stephen King Adaptations Are Coming Soon?
King fans will have a lot to anticipate from 2025 if they’re looking for something new. Afterwinning the People’s Choice Awardat last year’s Toronto International Film Festival,Mike Flanagan’sThe Life of ChuckstarringTom Hiddlestonwillfinally reach theaters through Neon on May 30. Not to be outdone,Glen Powellwill also be sprinting into theaters withEdgar Wright’s star-studdedThe Running Manon November 7. Those films will have to wait their turn, though, as later this month on February 21,Theo Jameswill take onThe MonkeyinOsgood Perkins’s hotly-anticipatedLonglegsfollow-up. Excitement for the director’sdarkly comedic take on the storyof an unstoppable murderous toy has been palpable, with the trailer setting a viewership record for indie horror withover 100 million views in 72 hours.
Miseryis now available for free on Tubi. Stay tuned here at Collider for future updates on all the big titles coming to and leaving streaming platforms throughout the year.
