This fall marks the 50th anniversary of Brian De Palma’s iconic film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, “Carrie.” While the book received a warm reception upon its release, it was the cinematic version that truly catapulted King’s name into popular culture.
Over the years, the haunting tale has inspired a range of adaptations, including a poorly received TV movie in the 1990s, a flawed remake in 2013, and a Broadway musical that is often regarded as one of theater’s biggest failures. Now, the story has been reimagined as a limited series on Amazon Prime, prompting the question: Is there enough material to fill eight episodes of approximately 50 minutes each? While the prolonged suffering of Carrie at the hands of her classmates may be hard to endure, the series, crafted by King aficionado Mike Flanagan, manages to mitigate that experience effectively. However, there are still drawbacks.
On the positive side, Summer H. Howell steps into the role of Carrietta White, and at just 22 years old, she convincingly portrays a character who appears much younger, enhancing Carrie’s vulnerability. Though she may lack the otherworldly qualities of the original Carrie, played by Sissy Spacek, Howell infuses the character with a palpable curiosity about the world she has been sheltered from, a trait that has even drawn praise from Spacek herself.
While Tommy Ross, played by Joel Oulette, may seem somewhat bland, the evolution of his relationship with Sue Snell (Siena Agudong) is more organic, driven by a pregnancy scare that prevents him from taking Carrie to the prom out of mere pity. Additionally, a new character named Emaline (Thalia Dudek) is introduced as a friend to Carrie. Initially appearing to lead Carrie astray by encouraging her destructive tendencies, Episode 5 reveals a twist that showcases a darkly clever side reminiscent of King’s writing.
The bullying dynamic has been updated for contemporary audiences, with Chris Hargensen (Alison Thornton) creating a fake Instagram account named “Carrie Red,” which allows students to anonymously harass Carrie and others, including a teacher (Rahul Kohli) who faces baseless pedophilia accusations. In a clever twist akin to Regina George, Chris posts disparaging comments about herself to deflect suspicion. Meanwhile, Carrie’s mother, Margaret White (Samantha Sloyan), quickly adapts to social media, using it to expose Chris as the account’s creator, transforming her from a mere fanatic into a more nuanced character who becomes a voice of reason in the midst of bullying chaos.
The ensuing turmoil ignites a riot outside the high school, with the principal (Matthew Lillard) suffering a blow to the head, Sue getting punched while trying to mediate, and Chris being pursued by an angry mob. Flanagan and his team adeptly portray the adult behaviors that influence the youth: Chris’s treatment of her peers mirrors her corrupt father (Michael Trucco), while her helpless mother (played by Heather Graham) looks on. Additionally, Rita Desjardin (Amber Midthunder) takes a troubling pleasure in punishing the girls involved in the infamous shower scene. The depiction of Carrie’s hometown illustrates a community so dysfunctional that the tragic events at the prom appear inevitable.
However, the series finale feels like a significant departure from the preceding episodes. Flanagan appears to stumble at the crucial moment, not only failing to match the impact of the climactic scare from De Palma’s film but also undermining the shocking revelation about Emaline with an unnecessary plot twist. A more satisfying conclusion might have focused on the survivors grappling with their trauma in the aftermath of the chaos. While “Carrie” achieves many commendable feats, it is unfortunate that it concludes in such a disappointing manner.
