Misery is a 1990 American thriller film directed by Rob Reiner from a screenplay by William Goldman. It is based on Stephen King's 1987 novel and stars James Caan as famed novelist Paul Sheldon, who is held captive by Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), an obsessive fan. The supporting cast includes Richard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen, and Lauren Bacall. Development on an adaptation of King's novel began after producer Andrew Scheinman recommended it to Reiner, who recruited Goldman to write the film's screenplay.