Stephen King's first published novel, Carrie, has been reimagined for Prime Video by Mike Flanagan and his team, premiering on October 7. This new series, a spoiler-free review notes, successfully updates the cautionary tale of a bullied telekinetic teenager for the modern era by evolving its themes and characters.
The series opens with a documentary-style approach, featuring a Greek chorus of talking heads providing an overview of the story's well-known events, particularly the infamous prom night. This sets the stage for a dramatic exploration of the narrative from multiple perspectives, mirroring the epistolary style of the original novel. The adaptation embraces a teen drama format, akin to shows like 'Pretty Little Liars' or 'Riverdale,' allowing for a fractured narrative that jumps between various characters connected to Carrie.
Flanagan and his team adeptly translate the novel's themes into the teen drama genre. While the book is not plot-heavy, the series compensates by dedicating more time to exploring how characters process events and how interpersonal and public relations crises affect them, including Carrie's teacher Rita Desjardin and Principal Grayle. This expanded scope enriches the narrative, though occasional stylistic or dramatic choices, such as on-the-nose song selections, can feel overwrought.
Summer H. Howell delivers a magnetic performance as Carrie White. The series centers its narrative on Carrie and her mother, Margaret, giving them a modern context. Howell captures Carrie's wide-eyed enthusiasm for the outside world and her struggles when facing overwhelming social interactions. The writing allows Howell to explore Carrie's journey toward self-assertion and the temptation of darkness, all while retaining the core of her character.
A significant adaptation for the social media age is how the show handles the infamous shower scene. Instead of just the physical torment, the series depicts the event's proliferation online through a meme account run by Chris Hargensen, "CarrieRed." This viral spread becomes a significant source of ongoing tension, highlighting the show's focus on internal and existential horror alongside supernatural elements.
The series also provides depth to the perspectives of Sue Snell and Chris Hargensen, the social poles influencing Carrie. While Siena Agudong portrays Sue as a naturally decent character, Alison Thornton's Chris offers more compelling material, especially as her own complicated home life is explored as a foil to Carrie's. The show suggests that poor parenting can leave individuals ill-equipped to navigate modern challenges.
Samantha Sloyan shines as Margaret White, Carrie's mother. The series offers a more nuanced exploration of Margaret's religious fundamentalism, tracing its roots in her relationship with her husband, Ralph. The inciting incident is altered: authorities discover Carrie and Margaret together in the family prayer closet, revealing the extent of Margaret's isolationist beliefs, shaped by her husband's influence.
Sloyan's portrayal of Margaret as a holy warrior facing perceived adversaries, like Principal Grayle, is intense and compelling. The town's complicity in Margaret's extreme guardianship further emphasizes the prevalence of self-righteousness.
While the expansion to eight episodes generally works, some introduced characters and subplots designed to connect Carrie to the wider King universe feel less successful. One character's narration at the start of each episode, meant to highlight Carrie's representation of disenfranchised women, can become repetitive. The addition of a new student, Emaline, who befriends Carrie, feels somewhat one-note for a significant portion of the season, occasionally drifting the show's focus.
Ultimately, the episodic format proves a worthy expansion of King's novel. Howell's performance as Carrie is refreshing, and Sloyan's take on Margaret White is a standout. With its smart accommodations for the social media age and compelling character work, the series makes a strong case for retelling Carrie's story.