In the early 1990s, horror films suddenly had good chances at the Oscars. "Misery" is an example of this "prestige horror". And this psychological thriller is also one of the best Stephen King adaptations I've ever seen. At its core, it's about a famous writer who is rescued by a former nurse (his "biggest fan") after a car accident and subsequently held captive.
After a fantastic opening sequence, most of the movie takes place in a single room. This intimate setting is only occasionally interrupted by scenes in which the small town sheriff (Richard Farnsworth) investigates the author's disappearance. Those are welcome interludes. But due to the excellent performances of James Caan and especially Kathy Bates, the film works very well at all times.
The film is consistently suspenseful, features an ever-escalating situation for the protagonist, and concludes with a very satisfying finale. Horror can be so much more than just the usual genre fare. I would definitely not be opposed to the return of "prestige horror".
Shout by ToralfVIP 3BlockedParent2023-04-02T12:23:17Z
In the early 1990s, horror films suddenly had good chances at the Oscars. "Misery" is an example of this "prestige horror". And this psychological thriller is also one of the best Stephen King adaptations I've ever seen. At its core, it's about a famous writer who is rescued by a former nurse (his "biggest fan") after a car accident and subsequently held captive.
After a fantastic opening sequence, most of the movie takes place in a single room. This intimate setting is only occasionally interrupted by scenes in which the small town sheriff (Richard Farnsworth) investigates the author's disappearance. Those are welcome interludes. But due to the excellent performances of James Caan and especially Kathy Bates, the film works very well at all times.
The film is consistently suspenseful, features an ever-escalating situation for the protagonist, and concludes with a very satisfying finale. Horror can be so much more than just the usual genre fare. I would definitely not be opposed to the return of "prestige horror".