Carrie: TV Series review

Carrie is one of the most widely recognised and universally acclaimed horror novels of the last hundred years. First published in 1974, the novel introduced the world to Stephen King, who would later become known as the king of horror and one of the most successful authors of all time. Over the past fifty years, Carrie has been adapted for the big screen three times, with the latest Amazon Prime adaptation marking the first time the novel has been brought to life as a television series.

Released less than two weeks ago, the new Carrie TV series has already claimed the number one spot on Amazon Prime globally, sparking widespread discussion, analysis and debate. The show's popularity comes as little surprise, given its ability to appeal to a wide range of viewers, from die-hard Stephen King fans and devoted horror enthusiasts to those simply looking for something scary and spooky to watch in the weeks leading up to Halloween.

The man tasked with bringing the story of Carrie to life once again is no stranger to the horror genre; in fact, he has spent the last decade establishing himself as one of its most prominent figures. Mike Flanagan is the creative force behind the new adaptation, having partnered with Stephen King to bring the iconic story to the screen. Over the years, Flanagan has cemented his reputation as a master of horror, with acclaimed miniseries such as The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor and Midnight Mass, as well as films including Oculus, Hush, Gerald's Game and Doctor Sleep. Carrie marks the fourth time Flanagan has teamed up with King to bring one of his novels to life, with the pair already planning further adaptations of King's work.

It's safe to say that all eyes were on Flanagan when the adaptation was announced. Not only is the original novel beloved by generations of readers, but Brian De Palma's 1976 film version of it is considered to be horror perfection.

Perhaps one of the best creative decisions about the new Carrie TV show was to avoid staying too close to the source material, whilst still remaining respectful of it. The biggest change between the book and the show is that the series is set in modern times. This brings a fresh perspective to the story and, while the 2002 and 2013 adaptations were also set in their respective modern-day settings, placing Carrie in 2026 allows the show to explore something that wasn't possible in previous versions: how social media changes the way Carrie experiences bullying.

The driving plot point of the series is that Carrie's main bully, Chris Hargensen, creates a fake social media account in her name, using it to bully not only Carrie herself, but also the wider school and town, targeting everyone from students to teachers and parents. For those of us who grew up alongside the rise of social media and experienced firsthand just how big a role it can play in bullying, this storyline really hit close to home. No one is safe from Chris's hateful posts, not even her own friends, and what begins as online harassment soon spirals into something far more sinister, with consequences that prove fatal for some.

Chris Hargensen is arguably the character who receives the most depth and development compared to previous adaptations. As the main villain of the story, her treatment of Carrie is nothing short of cruel. However, the show allows us to explore much more of Chris's family life and personal history, giving us a better understanding of where her anger comes from and why she chooses to lash out at and torment those around her. Her difficult circumstances, however, do not excuse the pain she inflicts on others, and in this adaptation more than any other, you could argue that Chris is portrayed as the most evil version of herself yet. Throughout the eight episodes, she is given several opportunities to change her ways, repent, apologise and put an end to the suffering she causes, yet she turns them all down, repeatedly choosing to hurt others rather than take responsibility for her actions.

Alison Thornton, who brings Chris to life, deserves all the credit in the world for her performance. She consistently manages to steal the spotlight in scene after scene, holding her own effortlessly alongside some of the show's bigger and more experienced acting names. Her performance is one of the standout elements of the series, making her an essential part of what I would consider a trifecta of truly incredible performances.

Another one of the show's three standout performances comes from Samantha Sloyan, who portrays Margaret White, Carrie's mother, a character whose backstory is also explored in much greater depth than in previous adaptations. Margaret is an extremely abusive and controlling mother who arguably destroys Carrie's life before it even has a chance to begin. However, the series also gives us a glimpse into her own past, revealing that she was also abused and gaslit by her late husband.

But the strongest performance in the show comes, of course, from Carrie White herself, played by Summer H. Howell. The absolute heart and soul of the story, Howell completely embodies Carrie, making us feel for her and sympathise with her situation from the very moment we meet her. Mike Flanagan revealed that over 1800 actors auditioned for the role, with Stephen King himself having the final say in choosing Howell to bring Carrie to life. And after watching the show, it's easy to understand why. She brings a fresh and compelling take on such an iconic character, and a huge part of what makes the series work as well as it does comes down to her performance. On top of that, Howell has incredible chemistry with every actor she shares the screen with, from Carrie's mother to her bullies and friends, constantly elevating the scenes around her through the way she interacts and bounces off those she acts alongside.

The final episode, and the show's ending as a whole, have been met with some criticism and mixed reactions. Rather than allowing the series to stand on its own as a single season, the show sets the stage for future instalments and, more importantly, positions Carrie as being part of a much larger Stephen King universe. This makes sense, considering Mike Flanagan has revealed that he envisions Carrie as a three-season series, suggesting that the story we've seen so far is only the beginning of a much bigger journey.

Although the show has yet to be renewed for a second season, its impressive viewing figures suggest that an announcement could only be a matter of time. With a satisfying eight-episode run, Carrie makes for the perfect horror binge in the lead-up to Halloween. If you haven't watched it yet, now might be the perfect time to dive in and experience Mike Flanagan's latest take on one of Stephen King's most iconic stories.