High school already comes equipped with psychological warfare. Giving one of its casualties telekinetic powers just evens the odds. With Prime Video’s Carrie, Mike Flanagan stretches Stephen King’s debut novel across eight episodes, digging into the everyday cruelty that precedes the catastrophe. The filmmaker and cast spoke with Kyle Meredith about rebuilding an American horror institution for a generation whose tormentors can follow them home without leaving their bedrooms. There’s plenty of supernatural trouble, but the people remain the scariest special effect.
Rebuilding an American Horror Institution
The Carrie series explores the everyday cruelty that precedes the catastrophe, with Mike Flanagan bringing Stephen King’s debut novel to life across eight episodes. The filmmaker and cast, including Summer H. Howell and Samantha Sloyan, spoke with Kyle Meredith about the project, discussing how they rebuilt the story for a new generation. Flanagan explained that finding the answer to why he wanted to retell the story meant bringing teenagers into the writers’ room, an education that also opened conversations with his own children.
Behind the Scenes
Behind the scenes, the chaos came with discipline, with Amber Midthunder recalling a month of rehearsals and Flanagan establishing an atmosphere of mutual respect. Matthew Lillard shared the rules of the set, including being on time, no phones, and no script pages to hide behind during blocking. This preparation gave the ensemble room to complicate the school’s social food chain, with Alison Thornton describing Chris as having been taught “that cruelty wins.”
The Cast’s Experience
The cast, including Josie Totah and Joel Oulette, also shared their experiences working on the series. Totah turned an initially unloved character into someone Flanagan wanted to expand, while Oulette found Tommy chasing an idealized future. Arthur Conti wanted Billy’s charisma to leave viewers conflicted, but his driving scenes required assistance, with a stunt driver used in place of the actor.
The series is now available to stream on Prime Video, and Kyle Meredith’s interview with Mike Flanagan and the cast can be listened to on Kyle Meredith With… or watched on the Consequence Podcast Network. The Carrie 4K UHD Steelbook is also available for purchase. With its thought-provoking themes and talented cast, Carrie is a must-watch for horror fans and anyone interested in exploring the complexities of high school life.
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