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Misery
- Review Date: August 28, 2005
- R
- Genre: Thriller
- 1990
Common Sense Media says
A quality film of suspense and manipulation.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie is highly violent. There are continuing acts of torture, repeated graphic and sadistic acts; kidnapping, bondage, broken bones and overall deception. Even mature teenagers may find this film highly upsetting.
What's the story?
Based on Stephen King's novel of the same name, MISERY details the unfortunate exploits of a romance novelist (James Caan) and his obsessively sadistic "number one fan," Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates). Upon rescuing the writer from a snowy car crash, Wilkes uses extreme measures to keep the object of her admiration at arm's length.
Is it any good?
Powerfully filmed, Misery grips the audience and presents a fascinating character study in psychosis. The truly in-your-face violence may prove to be too much for many adults and teens alike. Do not let the credits lure you into a false sense of security. Despite the inclusion of seemingly family-friendly names such as Rob Reiner (Stand by Me, The Princess Bride) and Kathy Bates (Fried Green Tomatoes, Primary Colors), you will find no warm fuzzy moments in this film as the story is filled with physical and emotional torture (including one of the most wince-worthy moments of film.
The film presents a sadistic story of manipulation and torture as Annie struggles to preserve her favorite literary character by torturing its creator. Misery reeks with tension and suspense from beginning to end, as the fate of the writer appears darker and darker. Ultimately, the film culminates in a gruesome battle of wits and will. Watch out for the "hobbling" scene). Nonetheless, Misery did bring Bates critical acclaim and her first Oscar. The film also includes charming performances by Richard Farnsworth and Frances Sternhagen as the small-town sheriff and deputy.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how they feel about the violence in the movie. They can also use the movie as a basis for discussing safety and protecting themselves from strangers.
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AGE
10-13 don't watch alone
I would rate it 12-15. One bit very disturbing (hammer scene), but rest fine, some strong language, and mild drugs
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AGE
Loved it. Very intense and creepy. It does use some language (said and visual), and there is a very painful-looking violent scene. The title of the movie describes it... it is merserable to watch. But that is what makes it so good. recommend entirely.
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AGE
Violent but suitable for mature 8 year olds.
Fantastic film, Although there are some scenes of extremely storng violence, I would let a mature 8 year old watch and enjoy this superb film. Entertaining, suspensful and well made.
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AGE
Not for anyone under 13...
It's a great movie, but disturbing because their really are people out there like Annie Wilkes. (Spoiler alert!) The main character is tortured repeatedly. An enraged sociopathic woman drugs a man repeatedly, hammers his ankles to break them, shoots him and shoots and kills another man. A man reads in newspapers that she killed various people--including many newborn babies. The main character plans to kill the woman by poison, then with a knife. She finally is killed (her death is very bloody and gory) by being hit in the head with a typewriter, a paperweight pig and other objects. Before, she had planned to kill the man and herself. The main reason this movie is so horrifying is because the villain is not a monster or a creature, but a human being, and you can often see her different emotions come out.
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AGE
Miserable Misery?
The violence is a little intense and it is obvious why they rated the movie R. There are (overall) 5 to 10 f bombs including the f words written as a joke when Paul was bored. Drug content stands out too, because Paul is being drugged the whole movie by Annie. There is minor sexual content between Buster and his wife, but it is definately not anything more than a moderate level. This movie's good and it's my favorite out of the Stephen King movies.
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AGE
I think any obsessed fan of anything should watch this movie
Pay very close attention to the character Annie Wilkes and think about how much that relates to how you would act if you were to meet an author who did something you weren't necessarily happy with. I love this movie. It's horrifying without having to rely on gore/monsters/anything like that. Instead, the 'monster' is a regular human being. That's just... amazing.
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AGE
AWESOMENESS!!!
I absolutely LOVE this movie!!!! The actin was great, the story was great, everything was awesome!! The movie was very suspenseful and frightening. There was blood but it was not randomly placed and used excessively, it was just used for realisticism. I would highly recomend this to everybody!! It definitely made it onto my favorite list.
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Kid, 12 years old
March 28, 2010
AGE
PG-13 is around for a reason
well in the beginning there is a cigarette smoked. at the end there is a scene of violence. there is 1 bad hand gesture,and one use of f- --!(by the way the person said that cause his foot was hammered and i would to i think,well if i was allowed to...)
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AGE
Kathy Bates performance is fantastic, but could have potential for scarring and nightmares with children
I have actually read the Stephen King novel "Misery", which the classic movie of the same name was based on, and let me tell you, it follows it well, and I mean, well. It keeps all of the suspense of the novel, and than extends the creepiness to a much higher level with Kathy bates absolutely incredible and very, very creepy academy-award winning portrayal of the ultra-obsessed number one fan, Annie Wilkes. Really, there isn't a single doubt in my about her winning that Oscar for her performance in the movie. It really is the stuff of great actors, and only great actors alone could be able to achieve this level of tension and uncomfortableness at such a immediate level. But, as great as this movie is, it it certainly not for tween's or even some older teens, and make no mistake , this is a very solidly R Rated movie, because of such intense situations alone, but also because Kathy Bates performance is so disturbing and that there is so much strong violence at the end of the movie with her and James Caan virtually bashing each others heads in. Also, there is very infrequent but strong profanity with 1 spoken f-Word and 7 other F-words typed out on a piece of paper on a type writer. Well, that's all I have to say about this classic, expect for one last little thing: See it if you honestly haven't already done so yet!
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AGE
This movie was fine for anyone who doesn't have a weak stomach. There is one scene where the main charactor breaks another's feet. Nothing visual, but it is still gross.
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| Studio: | Polygram |
| Director: | Rob Reiner |
| Cast: | James Caan, Kathy Bates, Lauren Bacall |
| Genre: | Thriller |
| Run time: | 107 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 30, 1990 |
| DVD release date: | December 22, 1998 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | strong violence |
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