Mike Flanagan’s ‘Carrie’ Lands Its Rotten Tomatoes Score, and Critics Have Plenty to Say

Few horror stories have been retold as often as ‘Carrie‘. Stephen King’s debut novel inspired Brian De Palma’s 1976 film, a 2002 TV movie and a 2013 remake with Chloë Grace Moretz. That history raises an obvious question for any new version, and Mike Flanagan has had to answer it for audiences and for King himself.

Flanagan developed the new series for Prime Video, where it arrives as the first-ever series adaptation of the novel. He wrote the project and serves as showrunner and executive producer, directing 4 of the 8 episodes, with King also executive producing. It is also Flanagan’s first Prime Video effort after he left Netflix and signed a deal with the rival streamer.

With the premiere less than a week away, critics have now weighed in. The Rotten Tomatoes page for ‘Carrie’ shows an average Tomatometer of 85%, with the Popcornmeter audience score not yet available. That is up from an early reading of 80% that was based only on the first 2 episodes, screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and Fantastic Fest.

At that early stage, the series ranked second among screen adaptations of the novel, behind only De Palma’s 1976 film at 94%. The 2002 TV movie sits at 33% and the 2013 film at 51%. Scores can still shift, since many reviews now cover all 8 episodes.

Reaction to the lead performance has been especially strong. TV Guide called Summer H. Howell tremendous as Carrie White, saying she makes the character someone viewers love and feel protective over rather than merely pity. Several early outlets compared her portrayal favorably against previous versions of the role.

Comic Book Club Live called the series bloody terrific and said Flanagan has done something audacious, even if it may not beat De Palma’s film. NOW Toronto gave it 4 out of 5, saying viewers might be pleasantly surprised by its humane look at the novel. Mama’s Geeky called it a brilliant modernization about viral bullying, maternal love and trauma.

The Austin Chronicle’s early take was more measured. It said Flanagan’s version is not as radical a reinvention as one might expect and won’t overshadow De Palma’s film, but it called him the unchallenged master of long-form horror serials.

🪣 New teaser for Mike Flanagan’s CARRIE focusing on Alison Thornton as Chris Hargensen.

October 7 on @PrimeVideo

🩸🩸🩸 pic.twitter.com/uWpvI5mwjB

— Estella (Carrie Updates) (@EsteIla_Couture) September 29, 2026

Not every review is glowing. HorrorBuzz gave the opening episodes 4 out of 10, saying they felt too long because of pacing problems. TV Insider noted that a subplot about a toxic meme account goes on way too long, though it called the series the best argument yet that Carrie’s story does not have to end with the prom.

TV Guide praised the show but warned that its ending risks undermining the whole, and that a recurring idea about other telekinetic girls drags the series down. CBR gave it 7 out of 10, saying the reinvention mostly pays off despite uneven additions. Those notes suggest a strong lead and a mixed reaction to some of Flanagan’s expansions.

The series moves the story into the present day, with Carrie navigating high school, a viral bullying scandal, social media and the emergence of her telekinetic powers. Eight episodes allow the show to spend more time on the people around her, including Siena Agudong as Sue Snell and Alison Thornton as Chris Hargensen. Samantha Sloyan plays Carrie’s mother, Margaret, with Amber Midthunder as Miss Desjardin and Matthew Lillard as Principal Grayle.

The episode titles read like a school schedule, including ‘First Period’, ‘Foreign Language’ and ‘AP Physics’. King himself has weighed in, writing on Threads that Flanagan’s version is brilliant and that what it says about social media is shocking and true. Flanagan has said King was skeptical at first and asked what could be done with the story that had not been attempted before.

All 8 episodes premiere on Oct. 7 on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories. Because the full season arrives at once, most viewers will experience it as a complete whole rather than in the staggered way critics first saw it. TV Insider also noted that Flanagan has an expansive vision for his heroine, suggesting this could be the first part of a trilogy.

For horror fans, the early response suggests Flanagan has cleared a significant hurdle. Whether the series can challenge De Palma’s classic for the top spot will depend on how audiences respond over the coming weeks. Either way, this is one of the most closely watched Stephen King adaptations in years.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments.