Carrie (2026) Spoilerific Review + An Interview With Mike Flanagan
Summary
Host Mike Munter and guest Becky Dark analyze Mike Flanagan’s new eight-episode adaptation of Stephen King’s Carrie on Prime Video. They discuss Flanagan’s decision to modernize the story to reflect contemporary issues like cyberbullying and school safety, viewing the series as a tragedy about cruelty rather than traditional horror. The episode also features a spoiler-free interview with Flanagan, who explains his creative process and upcoming projects, including The Exorcist and The Mist.
Topics discussed
Sponsor segment: Flexcar
Sponsor segment: Insidious: Out of the Further
Introduction to the bonus episode and Mike Flanagan
Flanagan on adapting Carrie and his initial hesitation
Modernizing high school dangers and the show's anger
Character complexity and avoiding black-and-white morality
Visual style and the muted color palette of the series
Horror as secondary to character and humanism
Expanding the universe and the eight-episode structure
Upcoming projects: The Exorcist and The Liar
Sponsor segment: Insidious: Out of the Further
Hosts' tour recap and initial impressions of the show
Debate on Flanagan's sentimentality and horror approach
Comparison with the 1976 Brian De Palma film
The metal detector scene and modernizing the narrative
Performances: Samantha Sloyan and Alison Thornton
Summer H. Howell's portrayal of Carrie White
Supporting cast: Sue Snell and the social dynamics
The Carrie Red storyline and social media themes
Teachers, administration, and the school shooting drill
Margaret White's modern motivations and cruelty
The introduction of other telekinetic characters
Critique of the Emmeline twist and the Sixth Sense reveal
The ending: Carrie's agency and the car crash
The expanded universe and Dark Tower connections
Final verdict and comparison to other Flanagan works
Tour dates and social media sign-off
Sponsor segment: Insidious: Out of the Further
Listen ad-free on Castria