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I watched the first three episodes of Amazon's CARRIE mini-series last night. I really wasn't looking forward to this show at all...I've read King's book a grand total of once, and that was enough. Enjoyed it, but not enough to ever revisit. I gave the show a chance because of Mike Flanagan, who I'm a huge fan of.
Right from the opening scenes, there are some major changes from the book. I'll avoid spoilers at this early stage, but I welcomed the changes...The DePalma movie was a great adaptation, and I was hoping that this wouldn't be just a 8-hour retread. The young actress playing Carrie (Summer Howell, who is 22 but looks about 14) is excellent, as is Samantha Sloyan, who plays Carrie's mom. The ways that the series differs from the book add a lot to the story, opening up the world and the characters in surprising ways. So far, Flanagan is giving everybody a full, three-dimensional life...no one is all good or all bad. I was kind of sad that I had to stop after three episodes last night, and I'm looking forward to getting back into the show as soon as I can.
Posted : October 8, 2026 3:29 pm
I watched the first three episodes of Amazon's CARRIE mini-series last night. I really wasn't looking forward to this show at all...I've read King's book a grand total of once, and that was enough. Enjoyed it, but not enough to ever revisit. I gave the show a chance because of Mike Flanagan, who I'm a huge fan of.
I first read Carrie about 45 years ago when I was just getting into King. And, like you, I thought it was at best an average book, especially compared to King’s other early works.
I reread Carrie last year and completely reevaluated my stance on the book. Forty-five years and I thought it was a great read. King’s usual great character work, a well paced and engaging storyline, and a solid ending.
I have a whole new respect for the novel after rereading it.
B
Posted : October 9, 2026 11:12 pm
Topic starter
@brlesh I probably phrased that wrong, as I enjoyed the book, but I haven't felt the urge to revisit it, as I often do with THE STAND, 'SALEM'S LOT, and NIGHT SHIFT. Maybe because I read CARRIE when I was older, so it doesn't hit the same nostalgia sweet spot for me.
Posted : October 11, 2026 3:10 pm
Topic starter
I finished CARRIE the other night, and I really, REALLY enjoyed it, from start to finish. I find that most streaming series/mini-series tend to sag in the middle, but this one was strong throughout. Great performances and gripping writing, and the changes made to the source material all worked for me. I was expecting cultural and technological updates to bring the 70s book into the late 2020s, but Flanagan really dug into how tough it must be to grow up with cameras literally everywhere, waiting to catch every fuckup you make. I raised my kids to stay off of social media, which, in all honesty, didn't work as well as I hoped- They both have a few social accounts- but at least they've grown up not making social media their life, and they have healthy attitudes about it. It broke my heart to see how the kids in CARRIE used and abused their media accounts.
Mike Flanagan has hit another home run, and I can't recommend CARRIE highly enough. I'm excited to see what he does with THE EXORCIST: MARTYRS.
Posted : October 14, 2026 3:55 pm
I finished CARRIE the other night, and I really, REALLY enjoyed it, from start to finish. I find that most streaming series/mini-series tend to sag in the middle, but this one was strong throughout. Great performances and gripping writing, and the changes made to the source material all worked for me. I was expecting cultural and technological updates to bring the 70s book into the late 2020s, but Flanagan really dug into how tough it must be to grow up with cameras literally everywhere, waiting to catch every fuckup you make. I raised my kids to stay off of social media, which, in all honesty, didn't work as well as I hoped- They both have a few social accounts- but at least they've grown up not making social media their life, and they have healthy attitudes about it. It broke my heart to see how the kids in CARRIE used and abused their media accounts.
Mike Flanagan has hit another home run, and I can't recommend CARRIE highly enough. I'm excited to see what he does with THE EXORCIST: MARTYRS.
I love Flanagan so much. If Jordan Peele with his societal commentary is George Romero, then Flanagan would be John Carpenter. I was, however, not so interested in this Carrie remake. For one, I just don't have the love for the source material others do. I mean, it's a tightly crafted tale, but not worth like the three movies and a TV show to be made out of it. I also just don't want Flanagan to fall in the King pit. The director's cut of Doctor Sleep is fantastic and I freaking love The Life of Chuck, but I really liked Flanagan's Absentia, Oculus, and Hush. So to see him just adapting another's work kinda bummed me out, even if he does such a great job at it. After your review, I'm going to give it a shot, though.
I also didn't even know about The Exorcist: Martyrs until the other day. And I'm all in. I hope it's a huge success for him because he deserves to be talked about more, but still seems to be underrated.
Posted : October 15, 2026 5:09 pm
dannyboy121070 reacted
I've tried and just find this isn't for me. Past the first few minutes I was itching to fast forward it.
Book was very good, original movie was decent, remade movie not so great, and I feel I've been here and done that, and I don't need the social commentary.
Posted : October 16, 2026 8:33 pm
Topic starter
remade movie not so great
"Remade movie", lol. I was shocked to see just how many remakes/sequels CARRIE has had! Original, sequel in 1999, TV remake in 2002, theatrical remake in 2013, the new series, AND a famously disastrous musical. Lotta mileage out of such a slim book, especially considering the fact that the author tossed the manuscript in the trash!
Posted : October 17, 2026 3:28 am