Carrie by Mike Flanagan on Prime Video: review of an adaptation that hurts because it is current

Carrie by Mike Flanagan on Prime Video: review of an adaptation that hurts because it is current

In short: Carrie is the new adaptation of Stephen King’s novel that Mike Flanagan releases on Prime Video on 7 October, with all eight episodes available at once, according to EntertainmentNow. Summer H. Howell plays Carrie White. It has less horror than you might expect and, in exchange, a sharp social portrait of bullying in the social media age. My take: the wait was worth it.

Series details

CreatorMike Flanagan, from Stephen King’s novel
LeadSummer H. Howell (Carrie White)
CastSamantha Sloyan (Margaret White) and Matthew Lillard, among others
Episodes8, all available at once
Release7 October on Prime Video

Date, format and cast details according to EntertainmentNow.

My review

Review written with access before release.

Mike Flanagan is one of those names that, for me, mean well-made horror. So when I heard he was adapting Carrie for Prime Video, I got excited. And after watching it, I can say the wait was worth it.

It is not a conventional adaptation. Flanagan has taken Stephen King’s novel and updated it in a way that hurts because it is so realistic. Carrie (played by Summer H. Howell) is not just a girl with telekinetic powers; she is a teenager who arrives at a high school with metal detectors, shooter drills and bullying amplified by social media. That lack of experience with the digital world makes her incredibly vulnerable, and watching her face her classmates’ cruelty is heartbreaking.

The series has less horror than you might expect, but in exchange it offers a very sharp social portrait. Flanagan takes his time developing the characters so that you understand why Carrie is the way she is and why her story, sadly, is still so current. All eight episodes arrive together on Prime Video on 7 October, and if you like horror that also makes you think, this is your series.

Key fact: Carrie, by Mike Flanagan, premieres on 7 October on Prime Video with all eight episodes available at once.
Frequently asked questions

When does Carrie premiere on Prime Video?

On 7 October, with all eight episodes available at once.

Who plays Carrie in Flanagan’s series?

Carrie White, played by Summer H. Howell.

Is it a horror series?

It has horror, but according to this review less than you might expect; the social portrait of bullying in the social media age weighs more.

Is it based on Stephen King’s novel?

Yes. Flanagan adapts the novel and updates it to the social media era.

Related articles

Sources

Radar answers

Ask about this article

Type your question and we will show you the answer inside this article or in other Radar Panamá publications.

Was this article useful?
By Daniela Bohórquez

Daniela Bohórquez is a writer at Radar Panamá. Venezuelan, 30, she writes about travel, tourism and business, with special attention to reviews of destinations, hotels and services. She lives between Panama, Italy and New York, which gives her a comparative view of how business is done in each market.