Paul Sheldon, the celebrated author held captive by his obsessive fan Annie Wilkes in Misery, finally escapes her clutches after a brutal confrontation culminating in her death. He is rescued, but the psychological scars of his ordeal linger long after, leaving him a shadow of his former self, struggling to write and plagued by vivid memories of his torment.
Freedom at a Horrific Price
The finale of Misery, both in Stephen King’s novel and the subsequent film adaptation, is a harrowing depiction of survival against unimaginable odds. After enduring weeks of physical and mental torture, Paul Sheldon manages to exploit Annie Wilkes’s vulnerabilities – her obsession with his “Misery” novels, her mental instability, and her ultimately predictable patterns. The final confrontation, a carefully orchestrated struggle, results in Annie’s demise, though not without leaving Paul permanently scarred. The film’s ending focuses not just on the immediate physical escape, but also on the long-term psychological consequences of captivity and abuse.
The Final Showdown: A Deceptive Dance
The climax revolves around Paul’s feigned cooperation with Annie. He pretends to rewrite the manuscript, satisfying her demands while secretly plotting his escape. This deception is crucial; it allows him to gain Annie’s trust, albeit temporarily, and ultimately sets the stage for the final confrontation.
The “Accident”
Paul’s staged “accident” is a masterstroke of manipulation. He sets up the scene to look like a fall, providing Annie with the perceived excuse to briefly leave him unattended while she goes to get pain medication. This crucial window of opportunity allows him to gather the necessary objects – the lighter, the typewriter – for his defense.
The Pig Burning and Annie’s Descent
The symbolic burning of the Misery novel manuscript, under the guise of “properly finishing” the story, is a pivotal moment. Annie, consumed by grief and rage, briefly loses her composure, highlighting her precarious mental state. This emotional outburst provides Paul with a further psychological advantage, allowing him to anticipate her next moves.
The Fight for Survival
The final struggle is brutal and visceral. Paul, fueled by desperation and adrenaline, uses his wits and improvised weapons to defend himself against Annie’s overwhelming physical strength. The infamous sledgehammer, previously used to cripple him, becomes a symbol of Annie’s violence and his desperate fight for survival. He ultimately overpowers her, resulting in her death. The film refrains from showing the exact details of Annie’s demise explicitly, leaving some details to the viewers’ imaginations. The book, however, is far more graphic.
Aftermath: The Scars That Remain
The film concludes with Paul back in New York, attempting to rebuild his life. He’s free from his physical prison, but the psychological wounds inflicted by Annie run deep.
The Lingering Trauma
The final scene shows Paul having lunch with his agent, Marcia. He’s published a new novel, but he’s unable to enjoy his success. He remains haunted by the memory of Annie, constantly seeing her face and hearing her voice. This scene powerfully illustrates the lasting impact of trauma and the difficulty of moving on from such a horrific experience. He describes his new novel as about “what happened,” suggesting he is trying to come to terms with his captivity through his work.
A Question of Closure
While Paul has physically escaped, the film leaves the audience with a sense that he will never truly be free from Annie. The ending isn’t a happy one; it’s a realistic portrayal of the complex and enduring effects of trauma. It raises questions about the nature of obsession, the power of the human spirit, and the long road to recovery after experiencing extreme adversity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the End of Misery
Q1: How exactly does Paul kill Annie in the film?
Paul incapacitates Annie during a physical struggle. He uses his typewriter to knock her unconscious. Then, he sets a fire and waits for her to wake, where he then shoves her into the typewriter, finishing her off. This is a less graphic depiction compared to the novel.
Q2: Does the film ending differ significantly from the book ending?
While the overall outcome remains the same – Annie dies, and Paul escapes – the specifics of her death differ. The book is more graphic and disturbing in its portrayal of the final confrontation. The film focuses more on the psychological impact on Paul.
Q3: What is the significance of the pig burning scene?
The pig burning scene is symbolic of Paul’s forced rewrite of the Misery novel. It represents the destruction of his artistic integrity and the lengths to which he is forced to go to appease Annie. Her visceral reaction reveals the true depth of her obsession.
Q4: Why does Paul pretend to rewrite the novel?
Paul pretends to rewrite the novel as a survival tactic. He understands that appealing to Annie’s obsession is the only way to buy himself time, gain her trust (however fleetingly), and ultimately plan his escape.
Q5: What happens to Buster, the sheriff, at the end of the film?
Buster, the sheriff, is killed by Annie before Paul’s final escape. Annie shoots him when he comes to investigate her suspicious behavior. His death underscores the danger Paul is in and the ruthlessness of Annie.
Q6: Is Paul Sheldon able to write again after his ordeal?
Yes, Paul does publish another novel. However, he struggles with the writing process and is haunted by the memories of Annie. His experience has profoundly altered him, both as a person and as an artist.
Q7: What is the meaning of the film’s title, Misery?
The title has multiple meanings. It refers to the name of Paul’s popular book series and Annie’s obsession with it. It also refers to the misery that Paul endures during his captivity and the misery that Annie inflicts upon him. Finally, it reflects the overall sense of despair and suffering that permeates the film.
Q8: What does the final scene with Marcia reveal about Paul’s state of mind?
The final scene reveals that Paul, while physically free, is still deeply traumatized. He’s unable to fully enjoy his success and is constantly haunted by the memory of Annie. It underscores the lasting psychological damage inflicted by his experience. He is, in essence, a prisoner of his own mind.
Q9: What are some of the key themes explored in the film Misery?
Key themes include obsession, the power of fandom, the nature of creativity, the psychological effects of trauma, and the fight for survival against overwhelming odds. The film also explores the blurring lines between reality and fiction, particularly in Annie’s distorted perception of the Misery character.
Q10: How does Annie Wilkes’s character contribute to the overall horror of the film?
Annie Wilkes is the embodiment of obsessive fandom taken to its extreme. Her unpredictable behavior, her violent outbursts, and her unwavering belief in her own righteousness make her a terrifying and compelling villain. Her apparent normalcy, juxtaposed with her shocking actions, creates a deeply unsettling atmosphere.
Q11: What makes Misery such a psychologically disturbing film?
Misery is psychologically disturbing because it taps into primal fears – the fear of helplessness, the fear of isolation, and the fear of being controlled by another person. The film also realistically portrays the psychological manipulation and abuse that Paul endures, making it a deeply unsettling and relatable experience for many viewers.
Q12: Is there a sense of justice served at the end of Misery, or is the ending more ambiguous?
While Annie dies and Paul escapes, the ending is more ambiguous than a simple “happily ever after.” Paul is left deeply scarred by his experience, suggesting that even though he has survived, he will never fully recover. The film leaves the audience pondering the long-term consequences of trauma and the true meaning of freedom. The justice is tempered by the profound psychological damage.