‘Misery’ Tattoo Inspiration – Littered With Garbage

Released in 1990, Misery is the film adaptation of Stephen King’s 1987 novel of the same name. It starred Kathy Bates and James Caan as Annie Wilkes and Paul Sheldon.

Unlike much of King’s work, Misery contains no fantasy elements. This is real terror at a human level, and the reality that some fans do take their connection with a creator to an unacceptable and obsessive level.

James Caan wasn’t the studio’s first choice for this role as some of the biggest names in Hollywood were offered the role but all turned it down. At the time, Kathy Bates was relatively unknown – we can’t imagine anyone but her in that role. The eventual casting decisions ultimately proved successful as the film finished second at the box office, behind Home Alone.

Despite the popularity of King’s novels and their theatrical film releases, his work has only lead to one Oscar win – Kathy Bates won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Misery.

Laurie Metcalf and Bruce Willis starred in the 2015 theatrical stage production.

Misery is one of King’s favourite film adaptations and we have to concur. With plans of our own to get a Misery inspired tattoo, we took to Instagram to see if any other Stephen King fans had already taken the plunge.

Misery, like The Shining, has a memorable scene with a typewriter – a tattoo could be a mashup of the two novels/films. Some other Misery tattoo concepts include: that penguin statue Paul knocks over; the bobby pin he uses to escape his room; that heavy pig statue used as a weapon; or even a sledgehammer to represent one of the film’s most gruesome scenes.

Which scene inspires you most for your own Misery tattoo?

Colour realism Misery tattoo by @stephanienuzzolilo

 Fresh snowflakes and healed Misery tattoo by @k_peanut_