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Carrie

Play trailer 2:04 Poster for Carrie R Released Nov 3, 1976 1h 38m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 78 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
In this chilling adaptation of Stephen King's horror novel, withdrawn and sensitive teen Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) faces taunting from classmates at school and abuse from her fanatically pious mother (Piper Laurie) at home. When strange occurrences start happening around Carrie, she begins to suspect that she has supernatural powers. Invited to the prom by the empathetic Tommy Ross (William Katt), Carrie tries to let her guard down, but things eventually take a dark and violent turn.
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Carrie

Carrie

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Critics Consensus

Carrie is a horrifying look at supernatural powers, high school cruelty, and teen angst -- and it brings us one of the most memorable and disturbing prom scenes in history.

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Critics Reviews

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Kevin Maher Times (UK) Brian De Palma’s depiction of female adolescence is extremely dubious (the opening slow-mo shower scene is beyond icky), but this is a film that fundamentally fears women. Rated: 4/5 Oct 18, 2024 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian It isn’t explicitly about school shootings and yet it shows you, like no other film I have ever seen, the horrifying wish-fulfilment ecstasy of such horrific acts. De Palma is the only director who could have done it. Rated: 5/5 Oct 17, 2024 Full Review Pauline Kael The New Yorker Carrie is a terrifying lyrical thriller. The director, Brian De Palma, has mastered a teasing style -- a perverse mixture of comedy and horror and tension. Jan 20, 2024 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com …Carrie the book is fairly raw, but this slick, concise film synthesises it into an effective, small scale horror that helped establish Stephen King as a household name… Rated: 4/5 Oct 8, 2024 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Carrie, in the end, is not a very serious film, but it is a rarity: a fun diversion that is truly enjoyable. [Full review in Spanish] Aug 15, 2023 Full Review Howard Waldstein CBR Carrie is relentlessly torn down time and again by everyone around her, and the climactic prom event, taking on a split-screen style, perfectly illustrates the fractured mind of a person who just can't take it anymore. Jul 18, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Nate N My first watch of this movie was in November 2024 after watching Psycho and Psycho 2 for the first time. This movie is right up my alley, and it is a crime that I have never seen it before. Let me start with the bad: Why is there a highschool girls shower scene? There is a lot of sexualization of the adult actresses playing underage girls. The rest of this movie more than makes up for this major flaw. It has some incredible camera work, the pacing is perfect, the characters are all fun, the costumes are great, and the music is awesome. There is only 20 minutes left of the movie and I'm hooked. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/22/24 Full Review Ralph R 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. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/22/24 Full Review Rami A Although it is slow at times, the tension and build-up are worth it in the end. The way the story unfolds allows for a deeper connection with the characters, making the climax all the more impactful. As the plot thickens, you find yourself fully immersed in the unfolding drama, eagerly anticipating each twist and turn. Ultimately, the payoff leaves a lasting impression, reminding us that sometimes the journey can be just as important as the destination. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/24/24 Full Review Liam D The first ever adaptation of a Stephen King novel. It has stylish direction by Brian De Palma (Murder à la Mod, Get to Know Your Rabbit) and two fantastic oscar nominated performances Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/26/24 Full Review 3D W Absolute masterpiece. This movie made me feel so much. Everything is on point. I thought every part of the movie was amazing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/27/24 Full Review Laís Halana S Achei que o filme tem detalhes demais em acontecimentos desnecessários e detalhes de menos no que realmente importa. Foca demais em cenas de intimidade, nudez e sexualização adolescentes. Sei que é um tema comum de filmes que se passam na escola, mas neste, não vi necessidade. Por que a professora esperava uma atitude diferente da Sue comparada com as outras meninas? De onde veio isso? Por que a Sue tem tanta "consideração" pela Carrie ao ponto de "emprestar" o próprio namorado para que ela vá ao baile? Como a Carrie lida tão bem com o fato de ter superpoderes? Por que o namorado da Sue topa aquilo tudo? Por que a Carrie mata a professora? Como terminou o caos na escola? Como descobriram que foi a Carrie? Por que a professora sente tanta compaixão pela Carrie? De onde veio toda a coragem da Carrie em enfrentar a mãe que era totalmente abusiva? Como a mãe dela deixava ela ir para a escola, sendo tão religiosa? Por que o namorado da Sue beija a Carrie? Isso foi combinado entre eles? Por que odeiam tanto a Carrie? Por que a casa desabou? Senti falta do terror, que só me é mais explícito no final. Acho que podiam ter aprofundado mais a relação da Carrie com a religião, abordado os sentimentos da mãe dela de forma mais complexa, porque ela pareceu só doida e sem propósito. Tudo isso teve que ser deduzido, não da forma "tem que analisar direito", mas sim, chutando. Foram coisas que só eu reparei ou deixei de reparar? Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/25/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

Carrie

Carrie: Official Clip - Carrie's Mom Carrie: Official Clip - Carrie's Mom 2:45 Carrie: Official Clip - The Car Wreck Carrie: Official Clip - The Car Wreck 0:50 Carrie: Official Clip - Carrie Pleads for Prom Carrie: Official Clip - Carrie Pleads for Prom 2:12 Carrie: Official Clip - Prom in Flames Carrie: Official Clip - Prom in Flames 1:39 Carrie: Official Clip - You're a Woman Now Carrie: Official Clip - You're a Woman Now 2:10 Carrie: Official Clip - Carrie Gets Her Period Carrie: Official Clip - Carrie Gets Her Period 1:32 Carrie: Official Clip - Dirty Pillows Carrie: Official Clip - Dirty Pillows 2:28 Carrie: Official Clip - Prom Queen Carrie: Official Clip - Prom Queen 2:49 Carrie: Official Clip - Carrie's Powers Carrie: Official Clip - Carrie's Powers 1:08 Carrie: Official Clip - Carrie Gets Angry Carrie: Official Clip - Carrie Gets Angry 1:58 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis In this chilling adaptation of Stephen King's horror novel, withdrawn and sensitive teen Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) faces taunting from classmates at school and abuse from her fanatically pious mother (Piper Laurie) at home. When strange occurrences start happening around Carrie, she begins to suspect that she has supernatural powers. Invited to the prom by the empathetic Tommy Ross (William Katt), Carrie tries to let her guard down, but things eventually take a dark and violent turn.
Director
Brian De Palma
Producer
Brian De Palma, Paul Monash
Screenwriter
Lawrence D. Cohen, Stephen King
Distributor
Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp., Criterion Collection, United Artists
Production Co
Redbank Films
Rating
R
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 3, 1976, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 27, 2015
Runtime
1h 38m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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