'Greatest film adaptation' based on Stephen King's 'scariest' novel streaming free
It features an unforgettable scene and an Oscar winning performance
The 'greatest film adaptation' based on Stephen King's 'scariest' novel is now streaming for free and it's possibly not the one you think it is.
Many might assume this means The Shining but it is actually the 1990 release Misery which has recently been added to BBC iPlayer. The title is currently available to stream at no extra cost and is based on the book of the same name by acclaimed author King, published in 1987.
However, there isn't long for viewers to take advantage as iPlayer currently has an alert stating that it will only be available for around one month. The film stars Hollywood royalty, the late James Caan, also known for his roles in Godfather and Elf, alongside Kathy Bates.
It was directed by Rob Reiner, who was primarily known for his work on comedy films at that time. He had previously helmed This Is Spinal Tap and When Harry Met Sally. He would prove he was just as skilled in other genres with Misery.
The story follows novelist Paul Sheldon (played by Caan), who is rescued after a serious car crash by former nurse Annie Wilkes (Bates), who claims to be his biggest fan. Annie brings him to her remote cabin to recover, where her obsession takes a dark turn when she discovers Sheldon is killing off her favourite character from his novels.
As Sheldon devises plans for escape, Annie grows increasingly controlling, even violent, as she forces the author to shape his writing to suit her twisted fantasies.
While this story doesn't have any supernatural elements like some of King's other work, the psychological thriller is often cited as the scariest of his works.
As one person posted on Goodreads said: "The scariest horror stories are the ones that could actually happen and Misery is one of those. Who among us hasn't had visions of being held captive when driving through a remote locale? Annie is so much more than the scene-chewing maniac she could have been. She has dimension and believes she's in the right, which is the mark of a great villain."
Bates even picked up an Oscar for her portrayal of Annie on the big screen. Boasting a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, her performance is still celebrated today.
One critic claimed: "Misery is an excellent adaption of the similarly exceptional novel. Bates’ role cannot possibly be forgotten, so cannot be Caan’s. The film remains a classic must-watch and is an especially great position for a cold, long, winter evening."
It is also still held in high regard by fans, as one sharing their thoughts online posted: "The greatest film adaptation to come out of Stephen King's collection. It may not be as indelible as Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, but it is more loyal to the source material/author's vision, and that, for me, affords it an extra bit of prestige. As for the film itself? It's exceptional from every angle."
Another agreed as they said: "Along with The Shawshank Redemption and Stand By Me, Misery is one of the best adaptations of Stephen King's work. On its own terms too, it is a brilliant film with a wonderful atmosphere especially. The film looks very good, with the sets, costumes, locations and cinematography striking and suitably atmospheric."
Someone else highlighted one moment that makes the film truly unforgettable: "One of the best Stephen King adaptations ever, right up there with The Shining. It's so tense, you're on the edge of your seat the whole time. That sledgehammer scene? Still one of the most disturbing things I've ever seen. Yikes!"
Misery is streaming on BBC iPlayer.