# Mike Flanagan Takes on CARRIE **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted, amazon-prime, movies\ **Created:** [October 21, 2024, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032 "2024-10-21T20:09:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/21 "2024-10-22T16:41:37Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > I really don’t recall too much of that from the book but it does sound like something that would be good on film. _Carrie_ features a lot of short passages framed as newsclippings or excerpts from broadcast interviews that take place after the prom and Carrie’s death. One that really stuck in my mind was the now-valedictorian at graduation addressing the remaining living graduating seniors and their parents and bursting into tears. But a lot of that kind of thing interspersed in the book that works very effectively. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/22 "2024-10-22T18:28:29Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > I think if he (MF) backs off, it will be fans of his and Stephen King who will have an axe to grind. You make some very good observations; in my opinion horror movies need not serve those. Kind of like how The Pit has different rules. Hmmmmm. You’re probably right. The people most likely to go see the movie are going to care more about how faithful an adaptation it is, the visuals, the acting, etc. _as a movie_ and somewhat less concerned about the rest of the world that can be put on hold for 2ish hours. Of course, all of my points will be dragged over in detail by academics and students in various social and film studies courses (Dear FSM, I remember doing that on the Nightmare on Elm Street movies decades ago) but that’s quite a different thing. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/23 "2024-10-22T18:50:41Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > The people most likely to go see the movie are going to care more about how faithful an adaptation it is, the visuals, the acting, etc. _as a movie_ and somewhat less concerned about the rest of the world that can be put on hold for 2ish hours. Just to be clear (I should have said this above), this will be an 8-part Amazon series. People will tune in for that first episode, and some percentage (50%?) will make up their minds based on that. ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/24 "2024-10-22T18:53:06Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > It did show at the Toronto film festival and got pretty good reviews there. It won the audience award at TIFF, a prize which has a pretty good track record for leading to a Best Picture Oscar win. > [@Mahaloth](#): > > Did you see the remake with Chloe Grace Moretz? I’ve not seen it. It was fine but unnecessary. There was also a TV miniseries already, starring Angela Bettis in the title role. I love Flanagan, but going back to the well for a fourth adapatation (fifth, if you count the sequel from the late 90s) seems like overkill. One problem with the Moretz portrayal is that Carrie is portrayed in the book as fat and unattractive, and that actress is anything but. I think that neither Spacek nor Bettis are unattractive by any stretch, but they aren’t traditional knockouts either. I worry that genral H’wood trends will push him to cast an actress who looks like a young Jessica Chastain as Carrie White, and we’ll be expected to take it as a given that she’s an ugly outcast. > [@AHunter3](#): > > _Carrie_ features a lot of short passages framed as newsclippings or excerpts from broadcast interviews that take place after the prom and Carrie’s death. One that really stuck in my mind was the now-valedictorian at graduation addressing the remaining living graduating seniors and their parents and bursting into tears. But a lot of that kind of thing interspersed in the book that works very effectively. I think he did this because the first draft of the novel was kind of an neither-fish-nor-fowl page count, too long for a short story, not long enough for a novel and there wasn’t a market for novellas, so he added the news reports material in to pad it out to publishable novel length. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/25 "2024-10-22T18:55:23Z")
I think (as a fan of some of King’s works) that would work better for me. More time to build the world, the tensions, the sense of horrible, inevitable dread, the few moments where it looks like it could be turned around, then a drastic building to the carnage, followed by painful individual moments of revenge, and then seeing the consequences. But the pacing will be hard, and yeah, your comments about not sticking the intro and loosing the viewers are on point. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/26 "2024-10-22T19:33:29Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I think a good horror movie makes people uncomfortable. I think we all knew a kid like Carrie growing up. We viewed he or she as a pathetic creature for one reason or another and maybe joined in the bullying or just ignored it. We live in an era where a major political party has made it their mission to control women’s body and have already done a good deal of harm in that direction. That kind of fits in with Mrs. White’s views and how she controls Carrie I hear this, but I do think the ways schools handle “weird kids” has really changed. Im nit suggesting bullying is gone, but in the 70s it seemed like society as a whole, includinf schools, actively encouraged bullying to reinforce conformity. Abuse and trauma were also handled in a profoundly different way. Now we have mandatory reporters and school psychologists. Not enough, but there’s still the ideal. Finally, theres a lot more information out there. Appalling ignorance doesnt happen in the same way. A modernization of Carrie would need to really deviate from the source material. Thats not a bad thing, just a thing. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/27 "2024-10-22T19:49:10Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > A modernization of Carrie would need to really deviate from the source material. Thats not a bad thing, just a thing. Good point; it will need to be explained how a young woman in 2024 (if it’s set in the present) doesn’t know about her menstrual cycle. Maybe he can say she’d been home schooled her whole life but now she must attend public school for…reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/28 "2024-10-22T21:06:59Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > I hear this, but I do think the ways schools handle “weird kids” has really changed. Im nit suggesting bullying is gone, but in the 70s it seemed like society as a whole, includinf schools, actively encouraged bullying to reinforce conformity. I’m happy to say that I’ve heard things have changed a bit since I was younger. Growing up in the 80s and 90s, I learned that going to the authorities about bullying was just going to lead to more bullying. And if I took matters into my own hands I was just going to get in trouble for fighting. I’m also given to understand PE has changed a bit too. I wouldn’t mind seeing the series set in the late 60s or early 70s. There’s nothing wrong with a period piece (and I just realized how funny that is as I type it out) and it works well for the 1970s for a variety of reasons. One of which is that we didn’t have as many hangups about kids showering together after gym. ---
**Author:** ![Everlong88](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/everlong88/32/17800_2.png) [@Everlong88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Everlong88)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/29 "2024-10-22T21:13:47Z")
I like Stephen King and the original Carrie, but honestly there’s just nothing new to really mine from the source material, it’s just so played out. I would enjoy it more if he looked at some of King’s short stories, I always thought a mini-series of Insomnia would be cool too. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/30 "2024-10-23T00:12:57Z")
Actually, heres a great example of how thongs have changed: My school has a Period Club. They collect hygeine prodicts for poor women, stock the restrooms, and raise awareness. They had a Halloween spooky movie event. And it wasnt Carrie. Someone pointed out that the movie was rated R, so they couldn’t. [Pre-Pg-13]. So lots and lots of changes in the world. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/31 "2024-10-23T00:39:39Z")
Cast Milly Shapiro in the lead role! [![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a056ff99f07f57b5c5f7221/1582136483319-C17T9F1IO90VKRP2KI4V/Milly-Look-1-20-2.jpg) ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a056ff99f07f57b5c5f7221/1582136483319-C17T9F1IO90VKRP2KI4V/Milly-Look-1-20-2.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/32 "2026-10-09T19:44:38Z")
> [@Everlong88](#): > > I like Stephen King and the original Carrie, but honestly there’s just nothing new to really mine from the source material, Just started watching it and I disagree. There is enough differences. I love MF. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/33 "2026-10-09T20:48:59Z")
Heh. I had no idea I’d started this thread. I don’t know if I can handle all the meanness that girl is gonna get when she shows up to school. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/34 "2026-10-09T21:23:03Z")
Not gonna lie… it’s a bunch! ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/35 "2026-10-09T22:29:17Z")
I haven’t seen any of this. But if Carrie’s not fat, that’s strike one _and_ two. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/36 "2026-10-12T17:36:35Z")
Started watching it. She’s very petite. The actress is 22 but she could pass for 13. ---
**Author:** ![Nicest\_of\_the\_Damned](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8baadc/32.png) [@Nicest\_of\_the\_Damned](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nicest_of_the_Damned)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/37 "2026-10-12T22:46:51Z")
Has anything tragic involving a cat happened? I had to stop watching Flanagan’s shows because he always seems to have those scenes. I can’t handle it. But I am curious about the remake. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/38 "2026-10-12T22:49:37Z")
I’ve only watched 2 episodes, but there hasn’t been a cat in those at all. ---
**Author:** ![Nicest\_of\_the\_Damned](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8baadc/32.png) [@Nicest\_of\_the\_Damned](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nicest_of_the_Damned)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/39 "2026-10-12T23:01:31Z")
Thanks. Maybe I will check out the first episode. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032/40 "2026-10-12T23:10:12Z")
I found the first episode pretty good. I didn’t have high expectations. I was really surprised the Actress wasn’t a teen. Good casting as far as that goes. The mom is perfect so far. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-flanagan-takes-on-carrie/1009032.md?page=3)