Dundead: Misery (4K Restoration)

Kathy Bates gives an unforgettable, cockadoodie Oscar-winning performance as Annie Wilkes in Rob Reiner’s hugely entertaining 1990 classic, based on the novel by Stephen King.

James Caan is Paul Sheldon, a famous author whose car crashes in a snowstorm. Saved from the wreckage, Sheldon wakes up to find himself in the care of the beaming Annie Wilkes, who nurses him back to health. Annie is a huge fan of Paul’s romance novels and their lead character Misery Chastain, and soon Paul finds himself locked in a deadly battle of wits with Annie, whose enthusiastic fandom knows no limits. Rounding out the cast are nice supporting turns from the legendary Lauren Bacall as Paul’s agent and Richard Farnsworth (The Straight Story) as the local smalltown sheriff. 

Reiner knows exactly how to pitch this, treading the fine line between tones and maintaining a blackly comic sense of humour while ratcheting up the tension. Stephen King once said that Annie Wilkes is his favourite character of his many creations, and Bates’ performance cemented the character’s iconic status.

Reiner sadly died last year, and Misery can claim its place as one of his best films, joining the likes of Stand by Me, The Princess Bride and This is Spinal Tap.