🩸 Carrie (1976)

The Prom Queen of Horror, But Not My Crown Favorite

Lets start by showing y’all the trailers shall we?

⚠️ Content Warning
Both versions of Carrie deal with very heavy subject matter. The films feature themes of abuse, bullying, religious fanaticism, and graphic violence — including sexual humiliation, child abuse, and disturbing depictions of mental illness. These elements are central to the story, but they can be difficult or triggering for some viewers.


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🎥 Non-Spoiler Overview

Carrie is the film that launched Stephen King’s name into pop culture, cemented Brian De Palma as a stylish director, and gave Sissy Spacek her breakout role. It’s a story of repression, cruelty, and explosive revenge. And I get why it’s iconic — it’s stylish, unsettling, and left a huge mark on horror cinema.

But here’s my stance: while I respect it and understand the hype, it’s never been my personal favorite. It doesn’t hit me the way other horror films do. That said, it’s one of those “must-watch” classics you can’t ignore if you care about the genre.


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👥 Character Rundown

Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) – A shy, sheltered teenager tormented by her peers and abused by her fanatically religious mother. Spacek’s performance makes her both heartbreaking and terrifying.

Margaret White (Piper Laurie) – Carrie’s mother, a religious zealot who views her daughter as sinful and evil. Overbearing and terrifying.

Sue Snell (Amy Irving) – A sympathetic classmate who regrets tormenting Carrie and tries to make amends.

Tommy Ross (William Katt) – Sue’s kind boyfriend, who agrees to take Carrie to prom.

Chris Hargensen (Nancy Allen) – The cruel ringleader of Carrie’s bullies.

Billy Nolan (John Travolta) – Chris’s boyfriend, an early role for Travolta as a scummy sidekick.



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⏱️ Pacing & Flow

The movie is a slow burn. The first half focuses on Carrie’s humiliation and home life. The prom sequence in the second half is one of the most famous in horror history, blending stylish split screens, red filters, and pure chaos. It’s deliberate, patient, and then it explodes — literally and emotionally.


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✅ Pros

Sissy Spacek’s haunting performance — she is Carrie.

Piper Laurie as Margaret White is terrifyingly unhinged.

The prom sequence is a masterclass in suspense and horror filmmaking.

The final jump scare — a dreamlike shock that influenced decades of horror endings.

A sharp exploration of bullying, repression, and religious fanaticism.



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❌ Cons

The pacing may feel too slow for modern audiences.

Some of the high school drama feels dated and campy.

If you’re not invested in Carrie’s tragedy, it can feel more melodramatic than horrifying.

For me personally: I respect it, but it doesn’t emotionally hit the way other horror films do.



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💭 My Perspective

This is one of those “I get it” movies. I get why Carrie is considered a masterpiece — it changed horror. But for me, it’s not a go-to favorite. I don’t dislike it; I just don’t connect to it the same way others do. And that’s okay. Sometimes you can admire a film’s artistry and influence without it becoming one of your personal top picks.


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⭐ Rating: 8/10


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⚠️ Spoiler Warning

It’s time to dump the bucket — literally.


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💀 Spoilers

Opening humiliation: Carrie gets her first period in the gym shower, unaware of what’s happening. The other girls pelt her with tampons and chant “plug it up!” — setting the stage for her lifelong torment.

Home life: Carrie’s mother Margaret is fanatically religious, locking her in a prayer closet and calling her sinful.

Sympathy and cruelty: Sue convinces her boyfriend Tommy to take Carrie to prom as a way to make amends. Meanwhile, Chris and Billy plan a cruel prank: rigging a bucket of pig’s blood above the stage.

Prom night: Carrie experiences genuine happiness for the first time. She’s crowned prom queen, the crowd applauds… and then the bucket tips, drenching her in pig’s blood.

Rage unleashed: The humiliation triggers Carrie’s telekinetic powers. De Palma uses split-screen as Carrie locks the gym doors, sets fires, electrocutes students, and leaves a massacre in her wake.

At home: Carrie’s mother attacks her in a religious frenzy, stabbing her. Carrie retaliates with her powers, crucifying her mother in a grotesque tableau. The house collapses around them.

The dream ending: Sue, one of the few survivors, dreams of visiting Carrie’s grave. A bloody hand bursts out of the ground — one of horror’s most famous shock endings.



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👉 Verdict: Carrie is legendary, stylish, and unforgettable. I don’t love it the way others do, but I respect its impact. It’s one of those horror landmarks you need to watch at least once — even if, like me, it never quite becomes your favorite.