’Carrie’ Review: A Classic Story Becomes A Modern Masterpiece

You’re probably thinking to yourself — does the world need another adaptation of the Stephen King novel Carrie!? If Mike Flanagan weren’t behind it, I probably would have agreed. But since the king of horror TV, and arguably the best creative to adapt King’s work, decided to put his spin on it and bring Carrie to Prime Video, expectations for this series have been sky-high since the announcement. Does Flanagan continue his streak of creating peak TV, or is this another failed horror reboot?

What is ‘Carrie’ About?

For anyone unfamiliar with Carrie, the story follows Carrie White (Summer H. Howell), a sheltered teen who is thrust into high school after being homeschooled her whole life. Carrie’s mother, Margaret (Samantha Sloyan), kept her daughter confined within the four walls of their home, with no TV, no social media, and shaped only by the teachings of the Bible and their family. After Carrie’s father suddenly died, it was the catalyst for Carrie to see the outside world, free from the grip of her mother’s overprotective nature, but it also exposed the harsh reality of school in the modern day.

Imagine entering a modern-day high school without ever using a computer or a cell phone, not even knowing what Instagram, TikTok, or a school shooting is. Carrie is immediately shell-shocked, experiencing what real life is truly like all at once. But this does not defeat her; her curiosity and kind nature put her on cloud nine as she experiences something new. Her kindness meets resistance because kids now are already calloused from the nihilism of society, even as sophomores in high school.

To top it all off, Carrie’s sheltered upbringing isn’t the only thing she has that is different from her classmates — she is discovering she has telekinetic abilities. Yes, that means she can move things with the power of her mind. The dangerous through-line of Carrie as a story is: how much can a person take before they push back? And if that person does push back, what happens when she has unimaginable power?

Mike Flanagan Brings This Story to New Heights

Of course, Flanagan recreates or pays homage to the big, classic Carrie moments (even starting the series by teasing the most iconic of them), but two key changes make his adaptation stand out. First off, the story is set in the present day. The inclusion of social media, adding to the bullying of Carrie White, is such a fresh way to tell this story that is not only iconic, but has been adapted numerous times already. It makes the actions of Chris Hargensen (Alison Thornton) as the central antagonist to Carrie even more cruel and serves as a true examination of whether there are real-life consequences to your actions on the internet. It will surely make the audience cheer that she gets what’s coming to her.

Secondly, making this an eight-episode series instead of a movie is such a game changer for the characters involved in this story. Margaret is far more than a God-fearing, abusive mother in this version of Carrie — those qualities are still very much there, but the story also shows a side that really cares and loves Carrie, giving fans a sympathetic side to a usually hated character. Even when Chris Hargensen comes off as almost pure evil, the story shows the troubles she faces in her own life. The most interesting and terrifying part is how Chris channels her anger to inflict the same level of pain to others. To some, she might seem one-note, but some people in life are just plain cruel.

Howell’s portrayal of Carrie is star-making. Rather than the timid, scared rendition fans saw in Sissy Spacek‘s 1976 performance, Howell brings a vulnerability to the role that highlights her inherent compassion for others, along with a mean streak that awakens when she is pushed too far. Carrie isn’t the only one pushed too far, as Chris’ best friend Sue Snell (Siena Agudong) forms a very real friendship with Carrie. The school administration and teachers put up way more of a fight on Carrie’s behalf, led by Principal Henry Grayle (Matthew Lillard) and gym teacher Miss Desjardin (Amber Midthunder). A lot has changed since the late 70s, and this story reflects that.

The True Horrors of ‘Carrie’ Are More Than Just Jump-Scares

This version of Carrie is a bit lighter on the overall horror vibe, but instead leans further into the horror of how normalized young violence and cruelty are. Society has become so used to hearing and seeing terrible, unspeakable things daily that most of the time it’s completely overlooked. This series is a wake-up call that this cycle needs to be broken. That world needs kindness far more than complacency. It also begs the question — when real change is needed, do we need to fight fire with fire?

Eagle-eyed fans can see how Flanagan’s work on an adaptation of another King story, The Life of Chuck, brings a sentimental sensibility into Carrie. One that was unexpected but greatly welcomed. The series is full of many truly heartwarming moments that somehow work with the emotionally brutal actions against Carrie and the vicious brutality unleashed when Carrie realizes the true potential of her powers. Flanagan also weaves in a brand new element that allows the story to go beyond the novel and can hopefully run for the three seasons he intends it to.

Carrie is hands down the best TV series of the year. An absolutely heartbreaking retelling of a classic that serves as a warning to humanity to be better. It’s the perfect combination of Edward Scissorhands, Gossip Girl, and 13 Reasons Why, all tied together with Mike Flanagan’s storytelling flair. It is no hyperbole to say this series is one of the most important pieces of media released in recent memory.

All eight episodes of Carrie will premiere globally on Prime Video on October 7, 2026. Stay tuned to Agents of Fandom socials for all the latest entertainment news and reviews.