Carrie Collection

Sissy Spacek

Piper Laurie

Amy Irving

William Katt

John Travolta

Nancy Allen

Betty Buckley

P. J. Soles

Priscilla Pointer

Sydney Lassick

Stefan Gierasch

Michael Talbott

Doug Cox

Harry Gold

Noelle North

Cindy Daly

Deirdre Berthrong

Anson Downes

Rory Stevens

Edie McClurg

Cameron De Palma

Sharon Benson

Terry Bolo

Jean Glaudé

Katie Irving

Cynthia Schuler Larsen

Dan Protheroe

James Saad

Janie Squire

Mike Towers

Glen Vance

Harriet B. Helberg

Paul Hirsch

Pino Donaggio

Rosanna Norton

Stephen King

Paul Monash

Jack Fisk

Brian De Palma

Lawrence D. Cohen

Mario Tosi

Robert Gould

Bill Kenney

Adele Taylor

Greg Auer

Wes Dawn

Glory Fioramonti

Janet Brady

Mags Kavanaugh

Bert Hallberg

Hannah Scheel

Dave Friedman

Dan Sable

Dick Ziker

Joel King

Wynn Hammer

Michael Arciaga

Mary Peters

David Rust

Ken Miller

Agnes Lyon

James Dyer

Joseph Cosko Jr.

Bill Scott

Gene Griffith

Ken Patterson

Joe Pender

Lois Freeman

Dustin Blauvelt

Gary Seybert

Michael Kirchberger

Patricia Heade

Donald Heitzer

Louis A. Stroller

Horror

Thriller

Carrie

United Artists

United States of America

Cat Ellington

Carrie had been included on a list of great films to which my mother had taken my older brother and me to see upon their theatrical releases decades ago. And the memories of that long ago time will forever remain with me. Back when the Chicago Theater had still been a movie house, Carrie was the first film that my family and I had gone out on our weekly "Movie Date Night" to see. Good times. Gooood times. Carrie is an undisputed horror masterpiece. I still...get chills.

CinemaSerf

Sissy Spacek is really good in this as the socially inept, psychologically tortured, girl living in the shadow of her overbearingly Christian mother, with few friends and some remarkable telekinetic powers. What ensues is a complex, at times convoluted, angst-ridden horror film that sees the best and worst of human nature - of all ages - depicted, as thoughtless pranks and humiliation become the order of the day with some chilling consequences. Piper Laurie is superb as the zealot mother, as is John Travolta as the odious "Billy" and the combination of Brian de Palma and Stephen King make for a compelling, multi-layered critique on many different aspects of intimidation, bullying as well as adding some genuinely scary moments too!

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.