Mike Flanagan's 'Carrie' Reboot Offers a Bloody Good Update for a New Generation
A review of the new series, which premieres Oct. 7 on Prime Video, highlighting its modern take on Stephen King's classic.
High school can be a hellish experience, and in Stephen King's "Carrie," this is literally the case. Mike Flanagan, creator of "The Haunting of Hill House," helms this new adaptation, which honors the original story while making enough adjustments to feel fresh for a Gen-Z audience. King himself is an executive producer on the series, set to premiere on Prime Video on October 7.
The familiar narrative centers on Carrie White (Summer H. Howell), a secluded teenage girl raised by her strict mother, Margaret (Samantha Sloyan). Upon entering high school, Carrie struggles with social interactions, leading to bullying and the emergence of her telekinetic abilities. The story famously culminates in a disastrous prom.
While "Carrie" has been a well-known story since King's 1974 novel and the iconic 1976 film starring Sissy Spacek, the new series acknowledges the audience's familiarity with the climax. Instead of avoiding it, the show uses this knowledge to build suspense and surprise.
A Modernized Setting
Flanagan's "Carrie" updates the story with a contemporary setting, incorporating elements like social media and online message boards. A Lana Del Rey-inspired soundtrack adds to the mood. Unlike previous film adaptations that were limited to two-hour runtimes, this series, spanning nearly eight hours, allows for a broader exploration of the world and deeper development of supporting characters such as Sue Snell (Siena Agudong) and the antagonistic Chris Hargensen (Alison Thornton).
While Chris remains a antagonist, the series provides her with more depth and humanity than prior iterations. Carrie's mother also receives a more nuanced portrayal. Supporting characters, including the increasingly stressed school principal, played by Matthew Lillard, are also fleshed out.
One significant alteration is the introduction of a new character, Emaline (Thalia Dudek), whose expanded role marks the most substantial change from the source material.
![Summer H. Howell and Samantha Sloyan embrace tightly in a kitchen setting in