🔥 Carrie (2013)

My Favorite Take on the Prom Queen of Horror

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

Yes, I know this will be divisive (or “diversive,” if you wanna keep it playful). But here’s my truth: the Carrie remake is my favorite version of this story. The 1976 original is a classic, sure, but the 2013 remake connected with me more. Chloë Grace Moretz as Carrie and Julianne Moore as her terrifying mother made this hit harder for me emotionally.

This isn’t just a shot-for-shot redo — though it stays faithful in structure — it modernizes the bullying, adds social media humiliation, and amps up the intensity of the prom sequence. For me, it makes the story feel more immediate and relatable.


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👥 Character Rundown

Carrie White (Chloë Grace Moretz) – Less awkward than Spacek’s Carrie, but still believably sheltered and fragile. Her transformation at prom is terrifying yet tragic.

Margaret White (Julianne Moore) – Absolutely chilling. Her fanaticism is even more intense than Piper Laurie’s, with Moore adding layers of self-loathing and control.

Sue Snell (Gabriella Wilde) – Still the “redeemed” bully, trying to help Carrie by having her boyfriend take her to prom.

Tommy Ross (Ansel Elgort) – Sweet, genuine, and charismatic — a nice contrast to the cruelty around him.

Chris Hargensen (Portia Doubleday) – Queen of the bullies, now with a smartphone in her hand to humiliate Carrie on a viral level.

Billy Nolan (Alex Russell) – Still a sleazebag boyfriend, but with more modern menace.



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⏱️ Pacing & Flow

The film flows like a modern teen drama horror — cleaner, faster, and more brutal. The prom massacre isn’t a slow psychological breakdown; it’s full-blown wrath from the second the blood drops. The CGI allows for more destruction (walls collapsing, streets ripping apart), which some might say loses subtlety. For me? It works.


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✅ Pros

Chloë Grace Moretz gives Carrie a more sympathetic, modern edge.

Julianne Moore’s Margaret is genuinely terrifying and one of the best things about the film.

The use of social media humiliation feels very relevant.

The prom sequence is cathartic chaos, bigger and bloodier than ever.

Faithful to King’s novel in key ways the ’76 version skipped.



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❌ Cons

Some critics felt Moretz was “too pretty” to be the outcast Carrie.

The CGI in the prom massacre can feel overdone compared to De Palma’s haunting practical effects.

Less iconic imagery than the original — it doesn’t stick in your mind the same way.

If you love the original, you might see this as redundant.



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💭 My Perspective

This is where I plant my flag: this is my Carrie. Maybe that’s divisive, but I think the modern update, the performances, and the intensity make it work. It takes the bones of a horror classic and makes it feel fresh without losing its soul. For me, this is the definitive version — the one I’ll rewatch over and over.


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⭐ Rating: 10/10


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⚠️ Spoiler Warning

It’s prom night again — and blood will spill.


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💀 Spoilers

Opening scene: Unlike the ’76 version, the remake opens with Margaret White giving birth to Carrie in a chilling, near-infanticide moment — instantly setting the tone.

Shower humiliation: Carrie’s period scene is harsher here, with the bullying filmed on smartphones and uploaded online, amplifying the cruelty.

The prom setup: Sue convinces Tommy to take Carrie to prom. Chris, banned from prom, plots revenge with Billy.

The pig’s blood prank: Chris and Billy slaughter a pig for the infamous blood bucket — a scene more graphic and cruel than before.

Prom night massacre: When the blood pours on Carrie, the viral video is projected for all to see. Unlike Spacek’s silent, stunned Carrie, Moretz’s version goes full telekinetic warrior immediately. She kills with precision — collapsing bleachers, flipping cars, setting the school ablaze.

Chris and Billy’s death: Their escape attempt is brutal. Carrie crushes the car with her powers, killing them both.

Mother vs. daughter: Margaret attacks Carrie, stabbing her repeatedly in a disturbing, self-flagellating religious frenzy. Carrie impales her mother with kitchen tools in a crucifixion-like image, then tries to revive her, showing her tragic love even after the abuse.

Final collapse: Carrie destroys the house with herself inside, burying both her and her mother in rubble. Sue, spared by Carrie, is left traumatized.

Ending: Instead of De Palma’s grave jump scare, the remake ends with Sue testifying in court, followed by Carrie’s grave cracking ominously — a hint she may still linger.



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👉 Verdict: Say what you want about remakes, but this one works for me. I know it’s divisive, but for me, it nails the emotion, amps up the horror, and brings Carrie into a modern setting. It may not be everyone’s crown jewel, but in my book — it’s prom queen.