From 1976 to 1990, a total of 11 films based on Stephen King’s works graced the silver screen, with most of them being well-received. The 1980s produced timeless pieces like “Stand By Me,” “The Dead Zone,” “Christine,” and “The Shining,” but among these, a film from 1990 stood out as exceptional: “Misery.” Adapted from the novel by the same name, the movie features James Caan as Paul Sheldon, an author held captive by his biggest fan, Annie Wilkes played by Kathy Bates. Directed by Rob Reiner, “Misery” was both a critical and commercial success. After being absent from streaming platforms for some time, this acclaimed film has now found a new platform where it can be watched for free.
According to Tubi, the gripping film titled “Misery” is set to debut on their streaming platform on January 31st, offering an ideal entertainment choice for the chilly winter season of February. First premiering in theaters on November 30, 1990, this psychological horror gem raked in $61.3 million at the box office and significantly boosted Kathy Bates’ fame after she clinched the Best Actress Oscar for her exceptional portrayal of the unbalanced former nurse with an unusual collection of swear words. You’re a real peach!
Unlike other King adaptations of that era, such as “Children of the Corn,” “Lawnmower Man,” and “The Mangler,” which didn’t fare well among both fans and critics, “Misery” stands out as an exception. It was praised as “one of the best Stephen King adaptations to date” when it first came out, and even 35 years later, it maintains a high rating on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 91%. Remarkably, its audience score is just one point lower at 90%, demonstrating that “Misery” has not only survived the test of time but continues to captivate us today.
Annie Wilkes Remains One of the Greatest Horror Villains of All Time
In the ’80s and early ’90s, Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, and Freddy Krueger were terrorizing countless teenagers, but their endless slasher spree had started to feel repetitive. Every film felt like a copy of its predecessor, leaving audiences craving something new. Then came Misery, a breath of fresh air that finally offered a change from the supernatural icons we knew. Annie Wilkes was just the character we needed because, unlike them, she wasn’t some otherworldly figure. She was a mentally unstable baby killer with a chilling realism – a character so terrifyingly plausible that she could have been ripped straight from a tabloid headline.
In this manner, Annie Wilkes’ unsettling and compulsive actions resonated deeply with audiences, leading her to earn legendary status as a horror antagonist. This recognition was partly due to the chilling scene where she shatters both Sheldon’s ankles with a sledgehammer, leaving him crippled. What made her particularly terrifying was the fact that she could appear as ordinary as your next-door neighbor without giving any hint of the monster lurking beneath. This undeniably contributed to Annie Wilkes being recognized among the most iconic horror villains in history.
If you haven’t had a chance to read Stephen King’s timeless masterpiece, “Misery,” over the years, don’t forget to catch it when it airs on Tubi starting January 31.
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2025-01-18 16:31