Prime Video's new adaptation of Stephen King's Carrie has won over audiences and critics alike, earning an 85% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes and prompting viewers to binge the entire series in one sitting.
The debut series arrived on Prime Video earlier this month, and viewers have largely applauded the show, with some admitting to watching until 2am or finishing it in a single sitting. The series holds a certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with audience approval at 82%.
Critics and Viewers Praise the Adaptation
The critics' consensus reads: "Mike Flanagan aptly expands this teen mythos with added compassion and ingenuity, bringing a modern touch to a timeless work and giving all performers involved the opportunity to shine while witnessing the ascension of a fascinatingly new Carrie."
One user review on the website said: "I thought another adaptation of Carrie might struggle to stand out after the previous films, but this series surprised me." Another viewer wrote on Reddit: "I was surprised how much I liked this! I think the lead actress did a great job and it's been updated and expanded in ways I think work really well."
"Loved the series. Watched in one sitting until 2am," said another. An audience member wrote on IMDb: "Mike Flanagan is a unique filmmaker, capable of flawlessly adapting Stephen King, so you will get the parts of the novel never filmed before, plus some Dark Tower easter eggs for the constant readers."
What Carrie Is About and the Controversy
In Stephen King's debut published novel, Carrie White is a timid and relentlessly bullied 16-year-old girl. Her mother is an abusive religious zealot, so her home life offers no sanctuary either. But when Carrie uncovers supernatural abilities, she exacts her revenge.
The remake introduces modern technology as a fresh horror. Without giving too much away, certain viewers have expressed disappointment or even frustration with the changes, pacing, and most of all, the last episode.
One person who doesn't mind is Stephen King himself. Showrunner Mike Flanagan, who directed Netflix's phenomenally successful The Haunting of Hill House, revealed that King gave his blessing and then some.
"Some people seem animated by trying to protect Stephen King in this, and what I want to say to them is, 'Guys, this is Steve's idea'," Flanagan told Polygon. "Steve believed very much that the story had already been told as he had written it. What excited him and animated him about this was the chance to expand that universe and to open it up into a much broader world."
Where to Watch Carrie
All eight episodes of the first series can be streamed on Prime Video. Standalone Prime Video subscriptions begin at £7.99 per month, while Amazon Prime with Prime Video costs £8.99 monthly or £95 annually.
