Mike Flanagan's decision to adapt Stephen King's Carrie, a story already famously adapted by Brian De Palma, initially sparked confusion. However, his eight-episode series for Amazon Prime Video proves to be a compelling and brilliant reimagining, offering new insights and compelling performances, particularly in its portrayal of Carrie's mother.
The series confronts the audience's familiarity with the source material head-on. The opening episode immediately depicts the tragic aftermath of the prom, showing Sue Snell being interviewed and offering glimpses of Carrie covered in pig's blood. This approach acknowledges that viewers already know the core narrative: a bullied teenage girl with telekinetic powers unleashes her rage after a cruel prank.
A New Narrative Thread
Each episode features narration from Kate Siegel, who delivers sardonic essays on the historical persecution of women with perceived supernatural abilities. This frames the story within a larger context, hinting at an organized group of women with powers who are aware of Carrie's existence. This addition is a significant departure from the original novel and previous adaptations, introducing an element of mystery and a wider mythology.
Summer H. Howell delivers a wonderfully innocent portrayal of Carrie, appearing younger than previous iterations. The series updates the story for contemporary times, moving away from overt religious dogma towards a more insidious, individualistic form of extremism inspired by her father's conspiratorial beliefs and her mother's solipsistic worldview. The father figure, who kept his family off the grid, dies early in the series, setting the stage for Margaret White's influence.
A Complex Mother
Samantha Sloyan's performance as Margaret White is a standout. Contrary to expectations of a rehash of her character Bev Keane from Midnight Mass, Sloyan crafts a phenomenally layered and complicated Margaret. While undeniably cruel, her cruelty is subtler and more difficult to pinpoint than in previous versions. This Margaret is driven by a form of zealous belief, yet is willing to compromise her values to achieve her goals. Fascinatingly, this adaptation presents Margaret as loving Carrie, a stark contrast to King's original depiction where Margaret's supposed love masked deep hatred and rejection of her daughter's burgeoning womanhood.
Flanagan's reimagining extends to other characters. Chris Hargensen is given more depth beyond being simply the school bully, with her vindictiveness stemming from a more fleshed-out backstory. Sue Snell's motivations are more grounded, attributed to a stable home environment rather than a magical influence. Rita Desjardin, portrayed by Amber Midthunder, receives her own arc, and supporting roles from Rahul Kohli, Tim Bagley, and Matthew Lillard add further depth to the ensemble cast.
Unpacking External Influences
The introduction of the character Emaline, played by Thalia Dudek, proves to be a more divisive element. While Dudek performs well, the character's seemingly invisible presence to others and the subsequent reveal that she is not real feel telegraphed and ultimately undermine the narrative's terror and impact. The intended surprise of this twist, and a subsequent twist involving Carrie talking to herself, feels predictable, especially given the earlier hints about women with supernatural powers. This particular plot point detracts from the core tragedy of Carrie's isolation and suffering.
The strength of Carrie, both in the novel and much of this series, lies in its portrayal of a girl who is victimized by life and eventually retaliates. While the series effectively questions the potentially misogynistic implications of a woman needing to become a monster to gain power, the decision regarding Emaline strips away some of the story's tragic impact. The moments of hope, such as Carrie's awe in the school library, are powerfully depicted, making the eventual loss of that hope more devastating. However, the handling of Emaline's arc diminishes this effect.
Despite this significant flaw, the series remains a remarkable piece of television. The new narrative threads are largely intriguing, and the potential for future seasons to connect to other Stephen King works like Firestarter, The Institute, The Shining, The Dead Zone, and even The Dark Tower is evident. The series excels in its numerous quiet moments, its exploration of the complex mother-daughter relationship, and its strong performances. While the ending proves divisive, the reimagined Carrie offers a compelling reason for its existence, proving there was indeed more to say.