Most critics find Misery an effective psychological thriller, with praise centred on Kathy Bates and James Caan as the obsessive fan and captive writer. Bates draws particular attention for making the fan frightening without losing the story’s dark humour, while Caan helps sustain the confined contest between them. The reviews also credit William Goldman’s screenplay and Reiner’s direction with maintaining tension, grounding Stephen King’s premise and drawing out its concerns about celebrity and artistic control.
The reservations concern how far that craftsmanship takes the film. Some critics find little personal expression or depth beyond the suspense, and there is a smaller concern about the stretched running time. The spread is largely favourable, with no outright negative review. The Los Angeles Times offers the clearest dissent: it admires the central performances but finds the film a capable exercise, less enjoyable than Reiner’s lighter work.