The movie Misery ends with Annie Wilkes dead, a victim of her own obsessive delusions, and Paul Sheldon finally free, though deeply scarred, both physically and psychologically, by his harrowing experience. He survives her reign of terror and, after a tense confrontation, manages to kill her, allowing him to escape the remote cabin where he was held captive and resume his life, albeit permanently altered.
The Climax: Confrontation and Liberation
The final act of Misery is a masterclass in suspense, building tension until the inevitable confrontation between Paul and Annie. Paul, feigning cooperation, convinces Annie that he needs one final, elaborate draft of his “Misery” manuscript completed before its “publication.” This buys him time and, more importantly, the ability to manipulate Annie into obtaining specific materials.
The Pig Scene
The “pig scene” is perhaps the most crucial element of the ending. Under the guise of celebrating the completion of the manuscript, Paul convinces Annie to open a bottle of champagne. He drugs it, hoping to incapacitate her. However, Annie, ever suspicious, only allows him a small glass, leaving her mostly unaffected. While she’s briefly distracted, Paul smuggles kerosene into the room, ready to set the manuscript ablaze. He intends this as a diversion, a last-ditch effort to catch her off guard.
The Burning
As expected, the burning of the manuscript sends Annie into a blind rage. This is precisely what Paul planned. A brutal fight ensues, during which Paul manages to subdue Annie momentarily. He then forces her to type out a confession on the typewriter, detailing her past crimes and her obsessive love for him and the “Misery” novels.
The Final Blow
The arrival of Sheriff Buster, summoned earlier by Paul’s subtle hints to Buster’s wife, provides a momentary distraction. However, Annie shoots and kills Buster before returning to deal with Paul. In a desperate act of self-preservation, Paul grabs the metal statue of his beloved pig and strikes Annie with it, delivering a fatal blow. She collapses onto the floor, repeating the words “I’m your number one fan.”
The Aftermath: Scars and Recovery
Following Annie’s death and the arrival of the authorities, Paul is rescued and taken to a hospital. He endures a painful recovery, both physically and mentally. The trauma he endured leaves him with lasting scars, impacting his ability to write and his overall well-being.
The Book Tour
In the final scene, set approximately eighteen months later, Paul is at a restaurant, meeting with his agent, Marcia Sindell. He is promoting his latest novel, a non-Misery story, but he finds himself still deeply affected by his experience. He sees Annie in the crowd, a chilling hallucination that demonstrates the lingering psychological impact of his captivity.
The Lingering Trauma
While physically recovered, Paul is far from healed. He still suffers from nightmares and flashbacks, and his writing process is forever altered. The film’s ending emphasizes the lasting consequences of trauma and the difficulty of fully escaping the grip of a deeply disturbing experience. He accepts that the experience changed him forever, but is attempting to create a new life.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ending of Misery
Here are some frequently asked questions that delve deeper into the ending of Misery and its significance:
FAQ #1: Did Paul ever write another “Misery” novel after escaping?
No. Paul deliberately moved away from the “Misery” series. His experience with Annie made him despise the character and the books she represented. He wanted to reclaim his artistic integrity and write stories that were meaningful to him, not driven by obsession or fear. He makes it very clear during the book tour that he no longer wishes to write about Misery.
FAQ #2: How much of the ending of the movie is faithful to Stephen King’s novel?
The movie is largely faithful to the novel, but there are some key differences. The most significant difference is the method of Annie’s death. In the novel, Paul kills Annie by feeding her drugged food and then pushing her into a snowdrift, where she dies of exposure. The movie’s ending is more visually dramatic and involves a physical confrontation with the pig statue.
FAQ #3: Why is the “pig scene” so important?
The “pig scene” is crucial because it’s the culmination of Paul’s manipulative strategy. He understands Annie’s vulnerabilities – her desire to be praised and her obsession with the “Misery” story. He exploits these weaknesses to create an opportunity for escape. It also showcases Annie’s paranoia and unpredictable nature.
FAQ #4: Was Sheriff Buster suspicious of Annie before Paul dropped hints?
Sheriff Buster had some reservations about Annie, but he didn’t have concrete evidence of her violent nature. Paul’s subtle hints and carefully worded questions planted seeds of doubt in Buster’s mind, prompting him to investigate further. These seeds were enough to prompt the sheriff to do some digging.
FAQ #5: What was the significance of Annie’s final words, “I’m your number one fan”?
Annie’s final words encapsulate the twisted nature of her obsession. She believed that her actions were motivated by love and a desire to protect Paul and the “Misery” character. Her delusion blinded her to the reality of her cruelty and violence. Her words highlight the dangers of unchecked fandom and the blurring of boundaries between reality and fiction.
FAQ #6: How did the movie impact Kathy Bates’ career?
The role of Annie Wilkes was a breakthrough for Kathy Bates, earning her an Academy Award for Best Actress. The film cemented her reputation as a versatile and talented actress, capable of portraying both sympathetic and terrifying characters. Misery significantly elevated her profile and led to a string of successful roles in film and television.
FAQ #7: Did Paul ever fully recover from his trauma?
The ending suggests that Paul never fully recovered from his trauma. While he was physically healed and able to resume his writing career, the psychological scars remained. The hallucination of Annie in the restaurant is a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of his captivity and the difficulty of escaping the grip of a deeply disturbing experience. He learns to live with it, but it will never go away.
FAQ #8: What is the thematic significance of burning the manuscript?
The burning of the manuscript represents Paul’s attempt to reclaim his artistic agency and break free from Annie’s control. By destroying the “Misery” manuscript, he is symbolically rejecting her influence and asserting his right to create his own stories. It is a statement of defiance and a declaration of independence.
FAQ #9: Why didn’t Paul simply overpower Annie earlier in the film?
Annie’s unpredictable nature, combined with Paul’s weakened physical state and her constant surveillance, made it difficult for him to overpower her earlier in the film. She kept him heavily medicated and frequently threatened him with violence. Any attempt to escape or resist would have been met with swift and brutal retaliation. He had to carefully craft a plan.
FAQ #10: Was Annie mentally ill? What mental illness did she have?
Annie Wilkes displays several characteristics consistent with mental illness, most notably obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD), though a definitive diagnosis is never explicitly stated in the film. Her obsessive attachment to Paul and the “Misery” character, her volatile mood swings, and her lack of empathy are all indicative of these conditions. She clearly has some deep-seated issues.
FAQ #11: What is the significance of the typewriter in the movie?
The typewriter serves as a symbol of both Paul’s creative power and Annie’s control. It’s the tool he uses to write the “Misery” manuscript, fulfilling Annie’s demands. However, it’s also the instrument of his captivity, as he’s forced to write under duress. In the end, he uses it to type out her confession, turning it against her.
FAQ #12: What is the movie’s ultimate message?
Misery explores themes of obsession, control, the power of creativity, and the enduring impact of trauma. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked fandom and the importance of artistic freedom. Ultimately, it’s a story about survival and the struggle to reclaim one’s life after enduring unimaginable horror. The film demonstrates the resilience of the human spirit even in the face of extreme adversity.