Mike Flanagan Wraps Filming on His Bold New Take on Carrie
Now, when a man who gave us The Haunting of Hill House says that something is one of his favourite projects, it is time to pay attention.
Filmed in Vancouver, Flanagan’s Carrie promises to be “a bold and timely reimagining” of Stephen King’s 1974 debut novel—the story that first introduced the world to bullied telekinetic teen Carrie White and her God-fearing mother from hell. The series stars Summer H Howell in the title role, with a cast that includes Samantha Sloyan, Siena Agudong, Alison Thornton, Thalia Dudek, Josie Totah, Arthur Conti, Joel Oulette, Amber Midthunder, and Matthew Lillard.
Already, that ensemble screams Flanagan. Long-time collaborators like Samantha Sloyan and Kate Siegel (who also appears as a recurring guest star) are present, joined by a few new faces who seem perfectly suited to inhabit Flanagan’s signature brand of stylish sorrow and emotional devastation.
For those somehow unfamiliar with King’s original story, Carrie follows a lonely, sheltered teenage girl whose oppressive religious mother has done her best to crush her spirit. At school, Carrie becomes the target of cruel bullying—until a humiliating prank at prom pushes her to unleash her hidden telekinetic powers in a fiery act of vengeance that makes every other school drama look like a bake sale gone wrong.
It is a timeless story of adolescence, repression, and revenge, and one that has already been adapted several times. Most famously, Brian De Palma’s 1976 film remains a genre-defining classic, featuring Sissy Spacek’s haunting performance as the wide-eyed, blood-drenched prom queen and Piper Laurie’s unhinged turn as her mother, Margaret White. That film practically invented the concept of the slow-motion horror climax and turned a bucket of pig’s blood into one of the most iconic moments in cinema.
There was also a 2002 television version starring Angela Bettis and Patricia Clarkson, which stuck more closely to King’s novel but never quite escaped the shadow of De Palma’s original. Then came the 2013 film from Kimberly Peirce, featuring Chloë Grace Moretz as Carrie and Julianne Moore as her mother. It tried its best to modernize the story with texting, smartphones, and cyberbullying, but ultimately reminded us that some horror stories work best without iPhones and Wi-Fi.
Now, Flanagan is stepping into the ring, and if anyone can give Carrie a new voice, it is him. Known for his patient storytelling, emotional depth, and ability to make horror both frightening and profoundly sad, Flanagan has built a reputation as one of the most consistent filmmakers in modern horror.
Let us not forget his impressive record with King adaptations. Gerald’s Game turned what many thought was an “unfilmable” novel into a deeply unsettling masterpiece, anchored by Carla Gugino’s extraordinary performance. Doctor Sleep managed the impossible task of uniting King’s vision with Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, delivering a sequel that satisfied both camps and stood on its own. And The Life of Chuck—which has already wrapped filming and stars Tom Hiddleston and Mark Hamill—will mark another fascinating entry into his King-inspired filmography when it arrives.
Beyond his King work, Flanagan’s television series have redefined what horror on the small screen can be. The Haunting of Hill House remains one of the greatest modern ghost stories ever told, blending heartache and hauntings with emotional precision. The Haunting of Bly Manor gave us a gothic romance for the ages, Midnight Mass explored faith and fanaticism with the intensity of a sermon from the abyss, and The Fall of the House of Usher turned Edgar Allan Poe into a bloody corporate tragedy filled with sharp wit and sharper deaths.
It is safe to assume that Flanagan’s Carrie will not just be a rehash of the familiar story but rather an emotionally layered exploration of teenage pain and the monstrous consequences of repression. Expect less jump scares and more slow-burning dread, as well as the kind of dialogue that makes you question your own moral compass while still clutching a pillow.
The supporting cast alone hints that this version of Carrie will dive deep into the social and psychological landscape of modern adolescence. The inclusion of actors like Josie Totah and Amber Midthunder suggests that Flanagan may explore identity, marginalization, and empathy in ways previous versions only hinted at. And Matthew Lillard—yes, horror royalty himself—is always a welcome addition, especially if he gets to channel a bit of that chaotic Scream energy.
The series is expected to debut on Prime Video in 2026, which gives horror fans plenty of time to argue online about which Carrie is the definitive one. (Spoiler alert: it is still De Palma’s until further notice, but Flanagan may give him a run for his money.)
There is something poetic about Flanagan returning to the story that started it all for Stephen King. Both men share a fascination with human fragility and the darkness that blooms beneath ordinary lives. If De Palma’s version captured the horror of repression and humiliation in the 1970s, Flanagan’s will likely capture the psychological rot and digital cruelty of the 2020s.
So as we wait for Carrie to unleash her powers once again, one thing is certain: no one does tragedy and terror quite like Mike Flanagan. Whether he is exploring haunted houses, cursed islands, or telekinetic prom queens, he always finds a way to remind us that monsters are never just supernatural—they are us, and sometimes, they wear a smile.
