Stephen King's Carrie reimagined for social media age on Prime Video

Key facts

• A new Prime Video TV series adaptation of Stephen King's "Carrie" has been released.
• The adaptation updates the story to reflect the impact of social media on bullying.
• Director Mike Flanagan stated it would be "impossible to ignore the impact social media has had in changing the way we see each other."
• Actress Summer H Howell plays Carrie, describing her character as naive and curious.
• Actress Alison Thornton, who plays Chris Hargensen, called social media "a villain in the show".
• The series has received an 85% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Prime Video has released a new TV series adaptation of Stephen King's debut novel, "Carrie," which updates the classic horror story to explore the pervasive influence of social media. The series, which premiered on October 7, aims to demonstrate how online platforms can amplify bullying and social isolation, making the tale of an outsider more relevant to contemporary audiences.

Director Mike Flanagan, known for "The Haunting of Hill House," stated that it was "impossible to ignore the impact social media has had in changing the way we see each other." He explained that unlike the bullying in the original story, which was confined to school settings, modern bullying occurs on a global digital stage and is permanently recorded on platforms.

Summer H Howell, who portrays Carrie, described her character as naive and eager to learn, a departure from some interpretations of the original novel. Howell noted that the journey of an outsider and the theme of bullying remain pertinent, arguing that bullying has only worsened with the advent of social media. Alison Thornton, playing the chief bully Chris Hargensen, echoed this sentiment, calling social media "a villain in the show" and highlighting the terrifying permanence of online posts and their real-life repercussions.

The adaptation has garnered an 85% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising the performances and social commentary, though some noted a perceived softening of the original characters' rougher edges. Showrunner Flanagan, a Stephen King fan himself, acknowledged making significant changes to the source material, aiming to justify retelling the story for a modern context. The series is part of Prime Video's strategy to target Gen Z viewers with adaptations of popular novels.