Mike Flanagan’s ‘Carrie’ Brings Fresh Blood to Prime Video

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Stephen King’s renowned narrative about telekinetic terror is making its return, and this time it’s gracing Prime Video. The streaming platform has given the go-ahead to an eight-episode series based on ‘Carrie,’ with horror mastermind Mike Flanagan in charge. He’s already familiar with King’s universe, having worked on projects such as ‘Gerald’s Game’ and ‘Doctor Sleep.’ Now, he’s delving into the tale of a timid high school student who can move objects with her mind – and a prom night that will be unforgettable.

Flanagan’s adaptation offers a contemporary spin on the 1974 novel which catapulted King to fame. The narrative revolves around Carrie White, a girl who grew up secluded under her domineering, religious mother’s care. Following the loss of her father, she navigates the tumultuous world of high school, where she faces torment and the emergence of mysterious abilities.

This narrative structure has been used previously – first by Brian De Palma in 1976 with Sissy Spacek, then again in 2002 with Angela Bettis, and later in 2013 with Chloë Grace Moretz. However, a run of eight episodes is uncharted territory for this story. I’m eager to see how Flanagan expands this narrative across the extended format.

Based on Variety’s report, Summer H. Howell is being considered for the role of Carrie White herself. You may recall her spine-tingling performance as Alice in ‘Curse of Chucky’ and its sequel ‘Cult of Chucky’. She has demonstrated her skills in horror with roles in films such as ‘Hunter Hunter’ and ‘Time Cut’.

Currently, Siena Agudong is poised to take on the role of Sue Snell, initially a classmate who becomes an ally. Agudong has previously been seen in productions such as Netflix’s ‘Resident Evil’ series and Kevin Smith’s ‘The 4:30 Movie.’ Filming is scheduled to commence this summer in Vancouver, so things are progressing quickly.

Howell has plenty of experience in playing intense roles, having won a Joey Award for her role in ‘Curse of Chucky’. Since then, she has remained active within this genre. Agudong, however, offers a blend of drama and action from her previous work. The character Sue is complex; she’s motivated by guilt as she seeks to make amends with Carrie, a part that Amy Irving excelled in during the original film. With Flanagan handling writing, directing, and production, along with Trevor Macy producing, this team has the necessary skills to create a memorable performance.

Stephen King’s novel ‘Carrie’ delves deeper than just blood and supernatural abilities; it offers a gritty portrayal of social outcasts and vengeance. Flanagan demonstrates an exceptional talent for exploring the emotional core of horror, as seen in ‘The Haunting of Hill House.’ We anticipate similar depth from this adaptation. With Amazon Prime Video financing the project, it could potentially be a major hit. By the way, Flanagan is also working on ‘The Dark Tower’ project, keeping him quite busy, but we’re certainly not complaining if it means more quality work like this!

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2025-04-10 20:45