Mike Flanagan’s Riskiest Stephen King Adaptation: Remaking the Classic ‘Carrie’

As a fervent admirer, I’ve proudly followed in the footsteps of esteemed directors such as Frank Darabont, Rob Reiner, and Mick Garris by adapting Stephen King’s works into film. Among my creations are the critically acclaimed adaptations of “Gerald’s Game,” “Doctor Sleep,” and “The Life of Chuck.” Regrettably, the adaptation of “Revival” didn’t progress as planned.

Films and television series adapted from Stephen King’s works have been a diverse collection. Some stand the test of time as masterpieces, such as “The Shining” or “Misery”, while others can be challenging to endure, like “The Lawnmower Man” or “The Mangler”. Others are simply bizarre to watch, like “Maximum Overdrive”, directed by King himself, and “Sleepwalkers”. However, Flanagan has consistently produced critically acclaimed and gripping movies.

Flanagan continues to push the boundaries with his adaptations of King’s work, as he currently has two more series in different stages of development. This writer/director appears to thrive on tackling projects that appear difficult to bring to life on screen. Yet, his upcoming project might be his most daring endeavor yet.

Carrie Is Mike Flanagan‘s First Stephen King Project With An Existing Beloved Adaptation

Brian De Palma’s 1976 Movie Is A Faithful Adaptation

A new “Carrie” series for Prime Video is being made right now with Flanagan as director. This show is a fresh take on Stephen King’s first novel that was ever published. Unlike Flanagan’s previous adaptations, the “Carrie” story has been retold multiple times before. Although most “Carrie” films have come and gone, the 1976 Brian De Palma movie is often regarded as a classic.

De Palma’s film is quite true to the original novel, with only minor adjustments. This adaptation played a significant role in establishing King’s literary career, having been released just two years after his first book. It has left an indelible mark on popular culture. The upcoming Carrie TV show may find itself in a challenging position, as it will likely be measured against the iconic horror film.

Since Carrie already appears to have a finalized storyline on-screen, Flanagan’s show must find a unique approach. The topics in Carrie, such as high school bullying and challenging family dynamics, remain timeless. The series needs to resonate with the original material while carving its own distinct path.

Mike Flanagan’s Challenges With Carrie Will Be More Intense Than Doctor Sleep’s The Shining Comparisons

Doctor Sleep Had To Adapt The Novel & Be A Sequel To The Kubrick Classic

Flanagan has often found himself in situations where his work is compared to a renowned King adaptation. In 2019, he penned and directed the film ‘Doctor Sleep’, which presented a challenge as it was both an adaptation of Stephen King’s novel and a sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s ‘The Shining’. The story in ‘Doctor Sleep’ revolves around Dan Torrance, now an adult, as he battles both literal and symbolic demons.

Despite its poor performance at the box office, Doctor Sleep found favor with fans of King and Kubrick. King initially had issues with the movie adaptation of “The Shining,” but warmed up to it upon seeing “Doctor Sleep.” Since “Carrie” is not getting a traditional sequel but rather a fresh take, it will face greater scrutiny in comparison.

Upon revisiting The Overlook Hotel (which is not a plot point in the novel, Doctor Sleep), the sets were meticulously rebuilt to mirror the Kubrick film’s aesthetic. Additionally, certain shots and musical cues were incorporated to create a sense of familiarity. However, as Carrie doesn’t have as many visual references to lean on, the comparisons will primarily focus on the acting performances and narrative structure.

Carrie’s Reception Will Be A Big Test For Mike Flanagan’s Dark Tower Adaptation

Roland Already Tried To Reach The Tower On Film Once Before

Adapting Stephen King’s masterwork, “The Dark Tower,” appears to be an unconquerable challenge for Flanagan. This fantasy-western series focuses on Roland Deschain, a gunslinger, and his companions (or Ka-tet), as they embark on their quest to reach The Dark Tower. The story is filled with numerous connections to King’s other works, along with references from popular culture such as The Beatles, “The Wizard of Oz,” and Marvel Comics.

Flanagan cleverly slipped in several nods to “Dark Tower” in his novel “Doctor Sleep”, such as using Tet Transit for the bus line Danny travels on, and having Carl Lumbly’s character Dick Halloran say “Ka is a wheel“, a phrase frequently repeated in the “Dark Tower” book series.

Beyond reworking King’s works, Flanagan boasts an impressive track record in television production, having produced shows like “The Haunting of Hill House,” “Midnight Mass,” and “Fall of the House of Usher,” to mention a few. Yet, it’s worth noting that Flanagan has not yet adapted any King novel into a series.

As a passionate reader and movie enthusiast, I’d argue that adapting Stephen King’s epic saga, The Dark Tower, for television is a more fitting choice than a film series, given the vast amount of material that needs to be faithfully portrayed. Unfortunately, the 2017 cinematic adaptation fell flat with critics, audiences at large, and devoted fans of the novels, leaving many of us longing for a true adaptation that does justice to this extraordinary tale.

Given that the movie adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower” did not perform well at the box office, it might be difficult for Flanagan’s “Carrie” series to gain traction. If “Carrie” fails to resonate with viewers, they may hesitate to engage with a series based on a topic that previously struggled in its initial presentation. However, considering Flanagan’s impressive track record of adapting King’s works, I remain optimistic about the success of his “Carrie” adaptation.

2025-07-04 22:08