Stephen King TV adaptation of iconic 70s horror film hailed ‘masterful’

| Freelance Entertainment and SEO Reporter Published September 21, 2026 12:38pm Updated September 21, 2026 12:38pm To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Stephen King’s iconic 70s horror novel Carrie has been adapted several times, and it’s coming to the small screen next month in TV form. Brian de Palma’s Carrie is the most popular adaptation of the coming-of-tale cautionary tale, starring Sissy Spacek as the titular teen who discovers she has telekinetic powers after experiencing her first period. Taunted by her peers and kept heavily sheltered by her religious fanatic mother, Carrie’s rage explodes into a violent rampage when her senior prom sees her humiliated. The 1979 film was followed up by The Rage: Carrie 2 in 1999, and a made-for-television movie adaptation starring Angela Bettis as Carrie in 2002. Chloe Grace-Moretz starred as Carrie in the 2013 feature film, though no adaptations have enjoyed the same success as the first. This might be about to change, however, following early screenings of Mike Flanagan’s upcoming Carrie TV series, released on Amazon Prime Video on October 7. Mike Flanagan is adapting Stephen King’s Carrie for the small screen (Picture: Robert Falconer/Prime) Summer H. Howell will star as the titular Carrie White (Picture: Robert Falconer/Prime) The first two episodes of the eight-episode series have screened at Toronto International Film Festival and Fantastic Fest, garnering rave reviews from critics hailing it ‘masterful’ and ‘brilliant.’ In their review, Screen Rant wrote: ‘Mike Flanagan’s Carrie brings Stephen King’s horror story into the modern era, tackling social media and school violence with surprising depth.’ Mamasgeeky.com said it was ‘a brilliant adaptation of an iconic story,’ adding: ‘Mike Flanagan turns Stephen King’s Carrie into a devastating modern tragedy about viral bullying, maternal love, and trauma.’ JoBlo ‘wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes one of his biggest shows,’ while But Why Tho? praised Flanagan for creating a ‘well-rounded, grounded, human element to characters who sometimes come across as one-note in other iterations.’ Filmhounds Magazine summarised: ‘The more compelling thing about Carrie’s first two episodes is that they can pull anyone in – whether you were looking forward to this series or not, and whether or not you have strong feelings about the source material. Flanagan has made another masterful adaptation, with his own flavour.’ ‘Master of Horror’ King also gave his own two-sentence review, praising the Haunting of Hill House director for a specific theme included in this modern take. Early screenings of the first two episodes have been showered with praise (Picture: Robert Falconer/Prime) Flanagan has been hailed for creating fully-rounded characters in the eagerly anticipated series (Picture: Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock) ‘Mike Flanagan’s version of Carrie is brilliant,’ the author wrote on Threads. ‘What it has to say about social media is shocking and true.’ The upcoming series stars Summer Howell as Carrie White alongside Samantha Sloyan as her mother Margaret. The cast is rounded out bySiena Agudong, Alison Thornton, Joel Oulette, Josie Tota, Arthur Conti, Thalia Dudek, Amber Midthunder, and Matthew Lillard. A synopsis teases: ‘Based on Stephen King’s iconic debut novel, Carrie is a bold, timely, and surprising reinvention of the classic coming‑of‑age story, adapted as a television series for the first time by visionary showrunner Mike Flanagan. ‘The series follows misfit high‑schooler Carrie White (Summer H Howell) who has spent her life hidden away inside the walls of her home with her fiercely protective mother, Margaret (Samantha Sloyan). ‘After her father’s sudden, untimely death thrusts her into the unforgiving ecosystem of public high school, Carrie is forced to navigate a viral bullying scandal that tears through her community, the relentless pressure and casual cruelty of the social‑media age, and the awakening of mysterious telekinetic powers that rise alongside her adolescence.’ Carrie is released on Amazon Prime Video on October 7. Deals of the Day Primark's new £14 co-ord has autumn styling on a budget covered Topman’s new-season collection has arrived and prices start at just £10 An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind From £700 MacBooks to discounted iPhones, the best Apple tech for studentsb Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale Arrow MORE: ‘One of the year’s best TV shows’ axed after just one season Arrow MORE: ‘The greatest zombie film ever made’ coming to cinemas for special anniversary Arrow MORE: Resident Evil hailed ‘near perfect’ as it becomes highest rated video game movie ever TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.