arrie has already been adapted into three films, including Brian De Palma’s seminal 1976 version starring Sissy Spacek.

So when it comes to any new screen iteration of Stephen King’s debut novel, “why?” is the natural question. It’s such a pertinent point that showrunner Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House) felt compelled to address it in a letter that was sent to press ahead of viewing the eight episodes of his new Prime Video series.

“That was the first word that popped into my head in 2023 when the proposal of a Carrie series was brought to me,” he writes. “If I couldn’t answer that question, passing on Carrie was not only inevitable; it was essential.” It was also the first reaction of author (and also now executive producer on this show) King: “Why? She’s been through enough, let’s leave her alone.”

Yet this proves a fresh, creative and modern Carrie that’s not a repeat of anything that has come before – including a completely new take on the bloody aftermath of prom.

It’s faithful to King’s storytelling, but it’s equally a thrilling introduction for people who have never read the book or seen the other films (although do look out for a nice little nod to De Palma).

Set in the modern-day, we begin at the end – with Ewen High School, located in Chamberlain, Maine – up in flames on that fateful prom night. There are recordings of 9-1-1 emergency calls; the footage cuts to a camera crew interviewing survivors of the tragedy.

We then spool back to what happened before the fires. After Carrie White’s (Summer H Howell) father dies in a work accident, she can no longer be homeschooled by her mother Margaret (played by Flanagan’s frequent collaborator Samantha Sloyan, who is unnervingly good).

It means Carrie must now attend High School, where she’s confronted with metal detectors and learns about school shootings; dangers Margaret has, until now, shielded her from. She doesn’t own a phone, has never used a computer and makes her own clothes. She immediately stands out among her peers, who soon target her.

After gym class, Carrie gets her first period in the shower, and all the girls in the locker room, including Chris Hargensen (Alison Thornton), Sue Snell (Siena Agudong) and Tina Blake (Josie Totah) start filming the traumatic event on their phones. Carrie’s telekinetic powers are triggered and the lights explode.

While the 2013 film version starring Chloë Grace Moretz (which is almost an exact remake of the 1976 film) also saw Chris film Carrie in the shower with the footage being uploaded to YouTube, this 2026 version leans into the full horrors of social media, with the reality of how poisonous it can be in this day and age for a video to go viral. Tech plus telekinesis proves a toxic combination.

In the book, King includes different materials about cases of other women with telekinetic powers. This is the first time this idea has been translated to the screen. In addition to Flanagan directing half of the series, Kate Siegel (Flanagan’s wife), Axelle Carolyn, Kyra Sedgwick, and Hiromi Kamata each helm an episode, and it’s important to have their female perspectives for a story where there’s a theme of women being called “crazy” and not believed.

The young cast are outstanding, and the benefit of having eight episodes to play with is that their backstories can be built. Alison Thornton plays a “mean girl” really well, but often a bully has been bullied themselves, and while not an excuse, her character has a broader picture painted that allows you to empathise with her a lot more than in the book.

But the series belongs to Howell, who was chosen out of 1,300 actors who auditioned for the role of Carrie. She conveys innocence, sincerity and kindness in a way that will break your heart, but she also – crucially – carries bags of agency and power.

This show certainly won’t make you miss high school, but this is for anyone who has ever felt a bit different, alone, or “weird” – and fully emphasises the value of being kind in an unkind world.

Flanagan is currently working on a film adaptation of King’s The Mist – and, after this version of Carrie, I don’t think anyone will be asking, “Why?”

Carrie will be released on Prime Video from 7 October.

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