Common Sense Media Review
By Jenny Nixon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Telekinetic teen horror tale has violence, drinking, drugs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
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Carrie
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
CARRIE centers on Carietta "Carrie" White (Summer H. Howell), a sweet but sheltered teen whose deeply religious, conspiracy-minded, doomsday-prepper parents have kept her completely hidden from the outside world, to the point that no one even knows she exists. After her father dies, social services intervenes, and the formerly homeschooled Carrie is forced to attend public school, where she struggles to navigate friendships and unfamiliar social rules while gradually discovering her telekinetic abilities. As she grows increasingly curious about life beyond home, Carrie begins questioning the control and manipulation of her mother, Margaret. At school, she becomes caught in a growing rift between classmates Sue Snell and Chris Hargensen, the latter of whom leads a campaign of in-person and online bullying that ultimately culminates in a violent, town-destroying eruption at prom.
Is It Any Good?
Skeptics scoffed at the idea of another reboot (even Stephen King said "let the girl rest") but Flanagan proves familiar material can still feel fresh when approached with patience, empathy, and confidence. Rather than simply rehashing the classic 1976 film by Brian DePalma, the eight-episode format gives the story room to deepen its characters, relationships, and motivations. Summer H. Howell (Curse of Chucky) anchors the series with a wholly believable Carrie who feels vulnerable and awkward but still recognizable, while the contemporary setting gives the bullying a sharper edge through social media and online humiliation.
The outstanding Samantha Sloyan (Midnight Mass, The Pitt) brings emotional complexity to Carrie's domineering mother, Margaret, finding moments where her warped sense of protectiveness becomes almost understandable. Supporting characters receive similar expansion, especially Chris Hargensen (Alison Thornton, School Spirits). In De Palma's film, she's a more cartoonishly vicious antagonist; here, her backstory adds context to her entitled, resentful cruelty without ever excusing it. Matthew Lillard (Scream, Good Girls) and Tim Bagley (Somebody Somewhere) also make strong impressions with limited screen time as the ineffectual school principal and well-meaning guidance counselor, respectively. Not every addition works: the material involving other telekinetic women and a broader hidden mythology can feel unnecessary, though that may change if the planned second and third seasons move forward. Even so, Carrie's powerful performances and rich character work make the series surprisingly effective.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the relationship between Carrie and her mother. Margaret believes she is protecting her daughter, but her fear and belief in conspiracy theories causes her to isolate and control her. What's the balance between keeping someone safe and denying their independence?
The series gives us more background and insight into characters who hurt Carrie. How can learning why someone behaves badly help us understand them without making their actions acceptable?
How does social media change the way Carrie is targeted by bullies? What responsibilities do bystanders have when they witness harassment and humiliation, even if they aren't the ones initiating it?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 7, 2026
- Cast : Summer H. Howell , Samantha Sloyan , Siena Agudong
- Network : Amazon Prime
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 7, 2026
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