FAQ for
Misery (1990) More at IMDbPro »

The following FAQ entries may contain spoilers. Only the biggest ones (if any) will be covered with spoiler tags. Spoiler tags have been used sparingly in order to make the page more readable.

For detailed information about the amounts and types of (a) sex and nudity, (b) violence and gore, (c) profanity, (d) alcohol, drugs, and smoking, and (e) frightening and intense scenes in this movie, consult the IMDb Parents Guide for this movie. The Parents Guide for Misery can be found here.

Yes. Misery is a 1987 novel by American horror writer Stephen King. The novel was adapted for the screen by American screenwriter William Goldman.

Probably the main difference is that in the movie, Annie breaks Paul's legs with a sledgehammer. In the book, she cuts off one of his feet with an axe, and later a thumb. The typewrite eventually loses its T and E keys in the book. The book has no involvement with the police as the movie does, and the sheriff does not investigate the Wilke's farm, a young deputy does, and his death is much more graphic in the book. The untitled book Paul wrote is called "Fast Cars" in the novel. Paul breaks out of the room more than once, and Annie doesn't find out because the penguin is facing the wrong way. Part of the pin gets stuck in the lock and she hears it move. Also, she hides hairs on everything in the house, so she knows when Paul has moved it. In the movie Annie knows Paul had been out of the room twice, in the book she guesses 7 times. Also in the book, Paul tricks Annie into thinking he burned the book. He hides the book and burns a stack of unused paper with the cover of Misery's Return on it. In the book, Annie does not come to Paul as a waitress, she comes to his apartment (in a dream state) and kills him.

In Misery, Stephen King does not have a cameo.

Annie shoots Buster. Paul persuades her to let him finish the novel before killing him and shooting herself as she plans. When Annie goes to bring another glass of Champagne for herself, Paul lights up the manuscript. When Annie tries to extinguish the fire, Paul slams the typewriter in her head. They fight on the floor, until he finally kills her. Last scene: Paul in New York, having dinner with Marcia, his agent. He pictures Annie as a waitress.