Many Stephen King adaptations are quite popular in horror fandom. However, only one film based on one of his works has actually won an Oscar. Now this Oscar-winning Stephen King movie is finally available for streaming.
The iconic author has given us such modern-day classics as Carrie, The Shining, Cujo, Pet Sematary, and more. Villains like Pennywise and Kurt Barlow have become legendary on paper, television, and film.
Now, however, Max subscribers can check out one of King’s other legendary villains. This particular villain was brought to life with such a brilliant performance that it’s actually the reason this film won an Oscar in the first place.
Kathy Bates won the Academy Award for Best Actress at the 63rd Academy Awards for her portrayal of Annie Wilkes. The psychopathic character was first introduced in King’s novel Misery, and she was played by Bates to perfection in the 1990 film adaptation of the same name.
Misery revolves around novelist Paul Sheldon who winds up crashing his car in a blizzard. James Caan played Sheldon in the film adaptation, and Bates’ Annie Wilkes rescues him from the crash. Unfortunately, she happens to recognize Sheldon, and it turns out she’s a massive fan.
This leads her to keep Sheldon hostage as she forces him to write a new installment of her favorite book series. It’s an eerie depiction of toxic fandom and one that seems to feel more relevant today than ever before.
It makes for a truly thrilling and intense journey. Rob Reiner directed the film while future Men in Black director Barry Sonnenfeld acted as the project’s cinematographer. Their work creates an atmosphere that can be equally chilling as it is cozy.
As such, now is as perfect a time as ever to check out Misery. Especially now that the Oscar-winning Stephen King movie is finally streaming on Max.