If you loved
Misery
Stephen King · Book · 1987
What hooked you in Misery was the suffocating feeling of being trapped at the mercy of an unpredictable and obsessive captor.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Misery
Rob Reiner · Film · 1990
Films on the same thread
The Shining
Stanley Kubrick · Film · 1980
Shares a thread with Misery: Isolation.
Like Misery, this film masterfully explores the disintegration of the human psyche when forced into total isolation, trapping its characters within a hostile environment where escape feels entirely impossible.
The Mist
Frank Darabont · Film · 2007
Explores: Group dynamics under pressure, Religious fanaticism, Fear of the unknown.
This story mirrors the claustrophobic dread found in Misery by forcing a group of people into a confined space where the threat outside is only matched by the psychological tension within.
Split
M. Night Shyamalan · Film · 2017
Shares 2 threads with Misery: Trauma, Survival.
The power imbalance in Misery is echoed here, as the protagonists must navigate the volatile whims of a captor whose fractured mental state dictates their survival in a confined home setting.
Gerald's Game
Film · 2017
Shares 3 threads with Misery: Isolation, Trauma, Survival.
Much like the helplessness Paul Sheldon experiences in Misery, this film centers on a character physically restrained and forced to confront her own psychological breakdown while isolated from the outside world.
Series on the same thread
Storm of the Century
Stephen King · Series · 1999
Shares 3 threads with Misery: Isolation, Horror, Psychological Thriller.
Just as the blizzard isolates the town, the snowbound setting of Misery traps its characters, creating a similar atmosphere where a singular, menacing force exerts control over a vulnerable population.
Mr. Mercedes
David E. Kelley · Series · 2017
Shares 3 threads with Misery: Obsession, Trauma, Psychological Thriller.
This narrative captures the intense, personal obsession seen in Misery, focusing on the dangerous cat-and-mouse game that develops when a deranged individual targets an unsuspecting victim for their own gratification.
Baby Reindeer
Richard Gadd · Series · 2024
Shares 3 threads with Misery: Obsession, Trauma, Psychological Thriller.
The suffocating obsession that drives the antagonist in Misery is the central force here, depicting how a single interaction can spiral into a terrifying campaign of psychological stalking and control.
Podcasts on the same thread
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: mental health awareness, female friendship, coping mechanisms.
If the dark fascination with crime and human behavior in Misery gripped you, this podcast provides a conversational deep dive into the true stories that fuel such unsettling psychological thrillers.
Sleep With Me
Silver Sleeper Productions LLC · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Insomnia Relief, Mindfulness, Boredom Induction.
After the high-stakes tension of Misery leaves you too wired to sleep, this resource offers a necessary shift in tone to help you decompress from the intensity of psychological horror.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is the Misery movie based on the book?
Yes, the 1990 movie Misery is an adaptation of the 1987 novel written by Stephen King. Both versions follow the story of novelist Paul Sheldon after he survives a car crash and is held captive by a fan.
What is the premise of the book Misery?
In the 1987 book Misery, novelist Paul Sheldon suffers a nearly fatal car crash. He is rescued by a fan who takes him to her home, but he soon realizes that he is being held captive by her.
Should I read the book Misery before watching the movie?
You can consume either version first. The 1990 movie Misery and the 1987 book both detail the same story of Paul Sheldon being held captive by a deranged fan, so the choice depends on your preference for reading or viewing the narrative.
Is Misery a standalone story?
Yes, Misery is a standalone work by Stephen King. The 1987 book and the 1990 film adaptation focus entirely on the singular event of Paul Sheldon being held captive by his fan, with no sequels or expanded series mentioned in the source material.