Rob Reiner’s terrifying Stephen King thriller was ahead of its time
Misery, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, landed in theaters on Nov. 30, 1990. Starring James Caan as popular novelist Paul Sheldon and Kathy Bates as an obsessive fan of his work, Misery examines the depths that unhealthy obsessions can drive people to — and the blood price often paid by those who enjoy fame and riches due to their work. It was an unexpected work from director Rob Reiner, known for comedies like This is Spinal Tap ,The Sure Thing, and When Harry Met Sally. But something this sinister required the hand of a filmmaker who could cackle in even its darkest moments.
