10 Most Underrated Horror Movie Performances

Misery is of course best remembered for Kathy Bates' unforgettable, Oscar-winning performance as murderously obsessive fan Annie Wilkes, and Bates' work proved impactful enough that it basically left no oxygen behind for her also-fantastic co-star, James Caan.

Though Bates obviously has the meatier of the two parts, she would've had a much tougher time without Caan, who is perfectly cast against type as bedridden author Paul Sheldon, shedding his tough guy image to portray an extremely vulnerable man who slowly comes to realise just how dire his predicament truly is.

It's a subtle yet vital counterpoint to Bates' much bigger performance, selling the abject, paralytic fear that Paul feels in Annie's presence, and his increasing desperation to free himself from this horrific scenario.

Understated performances are often left underappreciated, especially when paired with ones that are categorically swinging for the fences, and there are few better examples than this. The next time you rewatch Misery, try and focus in on all the sly choices that James Caan is making - you won't regret it.