Sissy Spacek

Piper Laurie

Amy Irving

William Katt

John Travolta

Nancy Allen

Betty Buckley

P.J. Soles

Priscilla Pointer

Sydney Lassick

Stefan Gierasch

Michael Talbott

Doug Cox

Harry Gold

Noelle North

Cindy Daly

Deirdre Berthrong

Anson Downes

Rory Stevens

Edie McClurg

Cameron De Palma

Sharon Benson

Terry Bolo

Jean Glaudé

Katie Irving

Cynthia Schuler Larsen

Dan Protheroe

James Saad

Janie Squire

Mike Towers

Glen Vance

Brian De Palma

Lawrence D. Cohen

Pino Donaggio

Stephen King

Paul Monash

Paul Hirsch

Harriet B. Helberg

Rosanna Norton

Mario Tosi

Jack Fisk

Bill Kenney

Robert Gould

Wes Dawn

Adele Taylor

Greg Auer

Glory Fioramonti

Janet Brady

Mags Kavanaugh

Dan Sable

Bert Hallberg

Dick Ziker

Joel King

Dave Friedman

Wynn Hammer

Hannah Scheel

Michael Arciaga

Mary Peters

Gary Seybert

Donald Heitzer

Bill Scott

Ken Patterson

Lois Freeman

David Rust

James Dyer

Ken Miller

Joe Pender

Dustin Blauvelt

Joseph Cosko Jr.

Gene Griffith

Agnes Lyon

Michael Kirchberger

Patricia Heade

Louis A. Stroller

Carrie Collection

Horror

Thriller

Carrie

United Artists

United States of America

English

high school

child abuse

based on novel or book

isolation

cemetery

stage

bible

telekinesis

teacher

revenge

unrequited love

prom

religion

teenage girl

school

cruelty

rage

humiliation

crucifix

praying

outsider

taunting

hostile

abusive mother

firestorm

religious horror

mother daughter relationship

supernatural horror

school bullying

suspenseful

horrified

Cat Ellington

Carrie had been included on a list of great films to which my mother had taken my older brother and me to see upon their theatrical releases decades ago. And the memories of that long ago time will forever remain with me. Back when the Chicago Theater had still been a movie house, Carrie was the first film that my family and I had gone out on our weekly "Movie Date Night" to see. Good times. Gooood times. Carrie is an undisputed horror masterpiece. I still...get chills.

CinemaSerf

Sissy Spacek is really good in this as the socially inept, psychologically tortured, girl living in the shadow of her overbearingly Christian mother, with few friends and some remarkable telekinetic powers. What ensues is a complex, at times convoluted, angst-ridden horror film that sees the best and worst of human nature - of all ages - depicted, as thoughtless pranks and humiliation become the order of the day with some chilling consequences. Piper Laurie is superb as the zealot mother, as is John Travolta as the odious "Billy" and the combination of Brian de Palma and Stephen King make for a compelling, multi-layered critique on many different aspects of intimidation, bullying as well as adding some genuinely scary moments too!

Brian De Palma's Carrie (1976) remains an iconic adaptation of Stephen King's novel, blending psychological horror with deeply human themes of alienation and vengeance. The film’s portrayal of high school life, social cruelty, and supernatural terror is deeply affecting, resonating with audiences even decades later.

From its infamous opening locker room scene to the chaotic prom climax, De Palma's direction demonstrates a masterful control of mood and pacing. The visual style, characterized by long takes, slow motion, and the daring use of split-screen during the prom sequence, creates a cinematic experience that is both intimate and expansive. These techniques pull viewers into Carrie’s inner world while amplifying the horror of her ultimate revenge.

The production itself is a marvel for its time, achieving a balance between the surreal and the real. The careful choreography of the prom scene, where chaos is unleashed in a ballet of destruction, reflects De Palma’s meticulous eye for detail and his ability to innovate under pressure. It’s worth noting that some of the film's most memorable sequences, like the split-screen prom massacre, arose out of budgetary constraints—proving De Palma's ability to turn limitations into creative triumphs.

The performances elevate the material further, with Sissy Spacek's portrayal of Carrie standing out as both vulnerable and haunting. The supporting cast effectively embodies the oppressive social dynamics of high school, creating a believable and suffocating environment for the protagonist.

Understanding De Palma’s personal history adds another layer to the film’s intensity. His exposure to the visceral realities of his father’s work as a surgeon shaped his comfort with the graphic and the grotesque, evident in the film’s bloody moments. Additionally, De Palma's own experience trailing his father to uncover an affair—an event he later described as formative—infuses his work with themes of voyeurism, psychological tension, and human frailty. These personal elements lend Carrie a raw authenticity that transcends its horror genre trappings.

Despite the controversy surrounding its explicit content, Carrie avoids gratuity in favor of storytelling. De Palma’s bold choices underscore the film’s central themes rather than overshadow them, making it as much a character study as a tale of terror. The film's success helped cement his reputation as a provocative yet deeply skilled filmmaker, unafraid to explore the darker corners of human experience.

Revisiting Carrie highlights why it remains a classic. Its blend of compelling performances, innovative cinematography, and psychological depth sets it apart not only from other adaptations of King’s novel but also from modern horror films attempting similar themes. De Palma’s ability to channel his personal experiences into his art gives Carrie an emotional resonance and cinematic flair that continues to captivate audiences.

Carrie( 1976)

If you've got a taste for terror… take Carrie to the prom.

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A review by Cat Ellington

Written by Cat Ellington on Fri Feb 10 2017

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