By Jamie Miller
It’s a classic tale: a bullied outcast discovers she has psychic powers and uses them to get revenge on her tormentors. Published all the way back in 1974, Stephen King’s “Carrie” has been adapted over and over again for decades. And now, thanks to showrunner Mike Flanagan and Amazon Prime, we have a fourth one.
“Carrie,” which dropped in its entirety on Wednesday, Oct. 7, is a new take on the classic tale. Carrie White has spent her entire life in seclusion with her devoutly religious mother and father. That is until her father dies in a tragic accident and she is forced for the first time to attend school, bullied and harassed both in person and online. However, unbeknownst to her tormenters, Carrie has a secret power, a power she will use to show her abusers the true meaning of terror.
The show stars Summer H. Howell, known for roles in “Hunter Hunter” and “Cult of Chucky,” as the titular Carrie. Samantha Sloyan, known for roles in “Midnight Mass” and “Hush,” plays the part of Margaret White, Carrie’s domineering and devoutly religious mother who is convinced that the government is out to get her and her daughter. Siena Agudong, known for roles in the likes of “No Good Nick” and “Resident Evil,” appears as Susan Snell, one of Carrie’s tormenters who has a change of heart and seeks to befriend her instead. Alison Thornton, known for appearing in “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency” and “Nancy Drew,” appears as Christina Hargensen, Carrie’s chief tormenter who bullies the girl due to losing control in her own life. Amber Midthunder, known for appearing in the likes of “Prey” and “Legion” plays the part of Rita Desjardin, Carrie’s gym teacher who tries to help the young outcast. Also appearing are Matthew Lillard, of “Scooby-Doo” and “Scream” fame, as Henry Grayle, the principal of Carrie’s high school, and Thalia Dudek, who appeared in the likes of “The Running Man” and “Better Man,” as Emaline West, a friend of Carrie’s with mysterious intentions of her own.
Now what did I think of this show? Well, I feel like it’s one of the best “Carrie” adaptations we’ve had in a while, even if it’s not the most accurate to the book. It changes enough to both justify its own existence, while also making it feel fresh and timely. Having Hargansen’s bullying go from mostly physical bullying to cyberbullying makes it feel really modern. I also really appreciate how they flesh out and expand on the characters and their motivations. Hargansen feels far less like a one-note brat and more like a fully fleshed-out human being. Although I feel like it doesn’t always work out, in the case of Margaret, the show wants to have its cake and eat it too, as they try to flesh her out but also want to keep her the same usual insane Bible thumper that the character usually is, and I just don’t feel like it works as well as it did with Hargansen, but I still respect them for trying. I also feel like West’s character somewhat takes away Carrie’s agency, as now it’s not just Carrie snapping under the weight of all the abuse and torment, but West egging her on to take revenge. I just feel it kind of takes something away from the simplicity of Carrie’s motivation, and that’s not even mentioning the addition of a psychic cult, which I feel was just unnecessary to the story. However, those are mostly minor grievances, and that all being said, I feel it was a phenomenal show, nine torches out of 10 easy. I would highly recommend it.
You can watch Carrie on Amazon Prime …
