Mike Flanagan, the horror mind behind The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, is setting his sights on Stephen King’s Carrie. This isn’t just another King adaptation; it’s Flanagan returning to familiar territory after Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep, and following the acclaimed festival run of his The Life of Chuck adaptation.
This time, he’s tackling a story already etched in pop culture, thanks to Brian De Palma’s iconic 1976 film. But can Flanagan do something new with a story so familiar?
He’s not aiming for a straight retelling. With eight episodes to fill, Flanagan’s taking his signature approach: reimagining. He’s done it with Shirley Jackson and Henry James, and now he’s turning his lens on King’s troubled teen. This isn’t about recreating prom night carnage; it’s about exploring the themes of isolation, bullying, and the terrifying power of adolescence, all wrapped in Flanagan’s distinct style.
Consider this less a remake and more a reinterpretation, a chance to see Carrie not as we remember her, but as we’ve never imagined her before. After the underwhelming Salem’s Lot adaptation, this feels like a breath of fresh, potentially terrifying air.
