Amazon Prime’s latest original series, Carrie, has made a strong debut worldwide. The series reached the platform’s top spot in global streams on October 13.
The eight-episode series draws inspiration from Stephen King’s 1974 novel of the same name. Amazon released all eight episodes on October 7.
Mike Flanagan developed the supernatural horror series. He is known for titles such as The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Doctor Sleep and Gerald’s Game.
A new take on a classic
Flanagan’s Carrie marks the fourth adaptation of King’s debut novel. The previous versions include the famous 1976 film starring Sissy Spacek. Films also followed in 2002 and 2013.
The Prime series takes the biggest departure from King’s original story. Flanagan moves the action into the modern day.
Carrie (Summer H. Howell) grows up under a strict and secluded upbringing. Her father then dies suddenly. As a result, she attends public school for the first time.
The new series places Carrie in a Gen Z setting. Social media bullying plays a major role in the story. The scandal affects Carrie and the wider community around her.
“There are two ways to adapt something. Sometimes the mission is to try to translate what’s on the page to the screen, changing as little as is humanly possible,” Flanagan told TIFF in an interview.
“But especially if something’s already been adapted, especially if something has an iconic status, there’s no point in doing it again the way it’s been done. You have to kind of invent something.”
Carrie must adjust to her new surroundings and a cruel teenage world. At the same time, she discovers that she has telekinetic powers.
Making the most of the series format
Besides the time period changes, the miniseries also utilises its status as the first television adaptation of King’s novel.
Characters such as Carrie’s mother (Samantha Sloyan) and her primary bully Chris (Alison Thornton) have much more complex stories and roles in the show.
Flanagan also introduces a brand new plotline to the story, which expands the world of Carrie and her powers, and sets the series up for future seasons.
All episodes of Carrie are now available on Amazon Prime.
