Revisiting Stephen King’s “Carrie”: A Fresh Take on a Horror Classic
Regarding Stephen King’s adaptations, one film that stands out is “Carrie.” The original 1976 adaptation, directed by Brian De Palma, is often hailed as one of the most remarkable adaptations of King’s wide-ranging catalog. Since then, the story of Carrie White has seen various retellings, including a direct sequel titled “The Rage: Carrie 2” and a television remake. However, Kimberly Peirce’s 2013 version offered a fresh take on the story. Now, over ten years after its release, Scream Factory is giving fans a chance to revisit this reimagining with a new 4K Ultra HD Collector’s Edition release on March 19th.
The Story of Carrie
“Carrie” revolves around the life of Carrie White, an outcast who experiences relentless abuse from her religious fanatic mother and severe bullying at school. Pushed to her breaking point after a cruel prank at prom, Carrie unleashes her devastating telekinetic powers, wreaking havoc on those who have wronged her. While De Palma’s adaptation stays faithful to King’s original work, Peirce introduces a modern twist by introducing social media to explore the horrors of cyberbullying. In this version, both Carrie and her mother are given a more sympathetic portrayal compared to previous adaptations.
Peirce’s Vision and Deleted Scenes
Peirce’s vision for “Carrie” was to remain faithful to King’s novel and depict Carrie’s reign of terror throughout the town in deleted scenes. Although these scenes did not make it into the final cut, some fans hoped to see them restored in a director’s cut. While the film received mixed reviews, with a 50% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, the anticipation for a director’s cut remained.
Star-Studded Cast
“Carrie” boasts an impressive cast lineup. While it may be challenging to match the powerhouse performances of Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie in the original adaptation, Peirce brought in Chloë Grace Moretz, known for her role in “Nimona,” to play the titular character of Carrie. Academy Award winner Julianne Moore was cast as Carrie’s mother, Margaret White. Judy Greer portrays the supportive Miss Desjarden. Gabriella Wilde, Portia Doubleday, Ansel Elgort, and Alex Russell round out the cast as Sue Snell, Chris Hargensen, Tommy Ross, and Billy Nolan, respectively.
Carrie’s Pop-Culture Influence
“Carrie” remains a pop-culture staple, mainly due to the masterful work done by De Palma in the original adaptation. The story of the telekinetic outsider and her religious, domineering mother has left a lasting impact. Fans can find various merchandise related to the film, ranging from Cavity Colors collections to Funko Pop! figures. Moreover, a new 4K box set for the 1976 version was recently released. With the upcoming Collector’s Edition release of the 2013 version, fans can rest assured that the franchise will continue to be readily available for collectors in the comfort of their homes.
March 19th Release and Exclusive Poster
The highly anticipated 4K Ultra HD Collector’s Edition of “Carrie,” released by Scream Factory, is set to hit shelves on March 19th. While details regarding the featured extras are yet to be announced, fans can pre-order their copy in the U.S. and Canada from the official website. As an added incentive, those who pre-order will receive an exclusive poster featuring the original theatrical artwork, making this limited-time offer even more appealing.
With the release of Scream Factory’s 4K Ultra HD Collector’s Edition of Kimberly Peirce’s 2013 adaptation of “Carrie,” fans can revisit this modern take on Stephen King’s iconic story. While De Palma’s 1976 version remains a classic, Peirce’s film offers a fresh perspective on the tale of Carrie White. By delving into the horrors of cyberbullying and providing more sympathetic portrayals of the main characters, Peirce adds a modern coat of paint to the story. With an impressive cast and a lasting pop-culture influence, “Carrie” will surely captivate audiences for years to come. Don’t miss the opportunity to pre-order this Collector’s Edition and enjoy the exclusive poster featuring the original theatrical artwork.