The New Carrie Series Makes Big Swings But Struggles to Land

The 2026 adaptation of Carrie brings a bold, modern perspective to the classic horror tale. Showrunner Mike Flanagan chose to stretch the short novel into an eight episode series, utilizing an epistolary format through newsreels and documentary segments. This approach effectively sets the stage, moving from the tragic aftermath of the town of Chamberlain back to the early days when Carrie White first entered the public eye.

By moving the story to the present day, the show highlights how social media fuels and amplifies bullying. The influence of online behavior touches not just the students, but the faculty and the wider community as well. While the show does a great job of showing how violence and kindness are choices, the decision to stretch the thin source material over eight episodes leads to some noticeable pacing issues and moments that drag.

Summer H. Howell gives a standout performance as Carrie, portraying her as an earnest and curious teenager trying to find her place. However, the series falters in its final act. The writers introduced new elements and plot points to fill the episode order, but these changes often feel like fan fiction. Most importantly, the finale alters key character beats in a way that removes some of Carrie's agency, undermining the tragic heart of her story.

While the series features a fantastic cast and interesting themes about the nature of bullying, these additions make the final product difficult to fully enjoy. It is a creative swing that fans of the original work might find more frustrating than profound.