Carrie Review: Stephen King's Noted Classic Tackles Worry and the Volatile World of Social Media

New adaptation of Stephen King’s classic novel Carrie tackles the modern world of bullying and marginalisation

Stephen King’s Carrie has had a few adaptations, with Brian De Palma’s being the most visceral of them all, and many have failed to grasp the depth of its story and its storied message. Enter King fanboy Mike Flanagan, who is also in the process of writing fan favourite The Mist and more, who recreates a 2026 retelling for a new generation.

Carrie (2026) – Official Trailer (Prime Video)

This time, the showrunner aims to bring the story into modern times, mirroring contemporary issues such as social media and its effects on school communities. This time, lesser-known actors such as Summer H. Howell work alongside established performers such as Amber Midthunder and Matthew Lillard.

The Plot

Carrie follows Carietta ‘Carrie’ White, a teenager who has recently lost her father to a tragic workplace accident. After a brief investigation to find his place of residence, the police finally locate the family’s home and discover its surviving members are terrified people influenced by conspiracy theories with disdain for the law. They discover Carrie has been homeschooled without notifying the authorities, after which she is enrolled in high school. She discovers on her first day how life can be cruel, and begins to discover who she really is.

Review: A Modern Warning

The series is well planned, crafted to draw and immerse the viewer into a present-day vivarium of high-school politics we may not be accustomed to, though its jealousy, gossip and hearsay remain ever splanchnic. Chris Hargensen (played by Alison Thornton), the show’s main antagonist, is especially effective as the high-school bully. Her motivations include recording her fellow students without their consent to share their shortcomings.

These viral humiliations are becoming more commonplace and a topic of debate that is only now coming to the fore. Despite CCTV having been around for years, smartphone use has only intensified surveillance of everyday citizens.

New laws may be needed to curb unsolicited filming of the general public at large, though opponents of this idea say it’s difficult to separate it from CCTV use. I don’t think it’s difficult to discern these differences when one is used to evidence a crime, whereas the other can potentially be used to berate and shame its targets.

Behind the scenes – Mike Flanagan & the Carrie cast explain why this is the remake we need right now.

Journalism is another argument, though once again, these are very different from the motivation to turn someone into a viral sensation. One is to report relevant news, another is for crime prevention and the other, potentially foster doxxing, poses a risk to mental health. Mike Flanagan agrees: “The fact that these kids stare down a day where anything that happens to them can be broadcast for the world and maybe enshrined digitally forever. That’s horrifying”. Matthew Lillard, who plays Principal Grayle, exclaims: “The idea of introducing social media is a whole new form of bullying that I don’t understand.”

Carrie’s interpretation of these circumstances showcases just how different they are, and the effects they have on Summer H. Howell’s character, who is torn between wanting to live her life as a normal human being and balancing the risks of an unmistakably difficult inevitability.

Alison Thornton, who plays Christine in the new Stephen King adaptation, intimidates Carrie.

Ewen High School’s staff, Miss Desjardin (Amber Midthunder) and Principal Grayle (Matthew Lillard), do their best to calm a seemingly out-of-control situation, but fail. Her friend Sue Snell (Siena Agudong) has Carrie’s best interests at heart, and her mother, Margaret (Samantha Sloyan), does too, despite her controlling behaviour. They are caught in a vortex of restrictions and paranoia of their own. Even when Carrie heeds her mother’s advice, the power of social belonging can be more compulsive than wishing for those moments to end, something this television show portrays extremely well.

The Verdict

Without giving away too much, this show, especially during the Halloween season, is a must-watch and is retold in a way that is welcomingly different from its predecessors. Its social commentary and the tenor in which it is told make it a grim discourse, but a timely broadcast. Stephen King isn’t often impressed with adaptations of his creations, though on this occasion, he says, “It does a kick-ass prom scene and adds to it the destructive power of social media”.

Stream It Now

Carrie, and all its episodes, are available to stream now on Amazon Prime Video.

Full Cast

Summer H. Howell (Carrie White)
Samantha Sloyan (Margaret White)
Siena Agudong (Sue Snell)
Alison Thornton (Chris Hargensen)
Joel Oulette (Tommy Ross)
Josie Totah (Tina Blake)
Arthur Conti (Billy Nolan)
Thalia Dudek (Emaline)
Amber Midthunder (Miss Rita Desjardin)
Matthew Lillard (Principal Henry Grayle)

Production Crew

Creator, writer and showrunner: Mike Flanagan, based on the 1974 novel by Stephen King
Executive producers: Mike Flanagan, Stephen King and Trevor Macy
Producers listed by Prime Video: Chad Fitz, Elizabeth Padden, Elan Gale, Jamie Flanagan, Rebecca Klingel, Dani Parker, Justin Wagman and Alexandra Magistro
Music: The Newton Brothers
Cinematography: Michael Fimognari and Michael Wale
Editing: Mike Flanagan and Brett W. Bachman
Production design: Tony Wohlgemuth
Art direction: Kate Whyte
Set decoration: George Neuman
Costume design: Tammy Joe
Casting: Anne McCarthy and Kellie Roy
Production companies: Amazon MGM Studios and Intrepid Pictures

Stanisland Magazine