Many films that are based on books often fail to deliver. This might be because the plot is changed or the adaptation simply falls short of what was written. But if an adaptation is done correctly, it can completely blow audiences away. And that’s exactly the case with one horror film based on a novel by Stephen King. 

The author has a talent for keeping up the suspense throughout his stories and is famous for his shocking twists. This particular film is no exception, and many viewers believe it’s the best King adaptation ever made. One person said: “It, in my opinion, is the greatest film adaptation to come out of Stephen King’s horror oeuvre. 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.”

Another added: “What an unexpected thriller. I knew right away it would be good, because it was based on a Stephen King book. I was not let down one bit. Kathy Bates’ best performance of all time in my eyes.”

A third commented: “This one is a masterpiece. Have watched this movie a few times since it was released and every time it is gripping.”

And another viewer wrote: “It is my favorite horror movie of all time. Yes, of all time.”

The film in question is Misery. It’s a 1990 psychological horror thriller directed by Rob Reiner. 

It stars James Caan as a novelist who is rescued from a car crash and held captive by his biggest fan, played by Kathy Bates.

The film is based on King’s 1987 novel of the same name and the screenplay was written by William Goldman.

It was filmed in Nevada and Los Angeles before being released in cinemas in November 1990. 

The movie grossed more than $60 million worldwide and received widespread critical praise.

On Rotten Tomatoes, Misery has a 91% critic score and a 90% audience rating.

It also earned Bates an Academy Award for Best Actress, making it the only Stephen King adaptation ever to win an Oscar.

As far as movie critics were concerned, the Chicago Sun-Times said it was “a good story” that “grabs us”, while The Guardian described Bates as “inspired casting”.

The New York Times called her performance “genuinely funny” yet terrifying.

Among many things, the film remains famous for its shocking “hobbling” scene, where Bates’ character breaks her captive’s ankles with a sledgehammer.

Even Stephen King himself previously said Misery is one of his ten favourite adaptations of his own work.