Paul Sheldon (James Caan), a successful author and creator of Misery, a loved heroin, takes a few days off and ends up having a car accident on an isolated road in snowy Colorado. He is rescued by his best fan, Anne Wilkes (Kathy Bates), a sturdy and innocent middle-aged woman. Whilst he recovers, Anne takes wonderful care of him and even brings him everything he needs to write about Misery, her beloved heroin. The strange relationship evolves from rescuer/rescued to tormentor/victim. Unpredictable Anne fully intends to keep Paul writing but when he disappoints her with his choices for Misery, Anne reveals her much darker side and intense cruelty flairs up.