Mike Flanagan’s ‘Carrie’ Series Launches with Impressive Rotten Tomatoes Score

Mike Flanagan has carved out a niche for himself with Stephen King adaptations, showcasing his talent for bringing the author’s cherished stories to life on screen. His previous works, including ‘Gerald’s Game’, ‘Doctor Sleep’, and ‘The Life of Chuck’, have established him as a filmmaker capable of honoring King’s legacy.

This reputation has made his latest project, ‘Carrie’, one of the most eagerly awaited horror releases this fall. Adapting ‘Carrie’ comes with its own set of expectations, as it stands as one of King’s most iconic and frequently revisited narratives.

Historically, adaptations of this story have faced skepticism, especially following Brian De Palma’s original film and two subsequent attempts that fell short. However, Flanagan’s adaptation has made a strong debut, earning an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on reviews of its first two episodes, marking it as the second-best-reviewed adaptation of King’s novel to date.

Only De Palma’s 1976 classic, which boasts a 94% rating, ranks higher than Flanagan’s version. This is particularly notable given the franchise’s uneven history, with the 2002 TV movie scoring just 33% and the 2013 film featuring Chloë Grace Moretz at 51%, both significantly lower than Flanagan’s current standing.

Flanagan’s eight-episode miniseries reimagines the 1974 novel, updating it to reflect how social media has transformed the dynamics of bullying that drive Carrie White’s tragic story. Summer H. Howell takes on the lead role, with Samantha Sloyan portraying Carrie’s overbearing mother, Margaret.

The series features a talented supporting cast, including Siena Agudong, Alison Thornton, Joel Oulette, Josie Totah, Arthur Conti, Thalia Dudek, Amber Midthunder, and Matthew Lillard. Flanagan not only wrote and executive produced the series but also directed four episodes, with Kate Siegel, Axelle Carolyn, Kyra Sedgwick, and Hiromi Kamata each directing one episode.

Early reviews on Rotten Tomatoes have highlighted Howell’s performance, with critics praising the emotional depth she brings to the character compared to previous portrayals. The series also includes voice appearances from Carla Gugino, Hamish Linklater, and Sauriyan Sapkota, along with a brief cameo from Flanagan himself.

It’s important to note that the 80% rating is based on critics who screened the first two episodes at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival and Fantastic Fest, meaning it reflects only a portion of the series rather than a comprehensive evaluation of all eight episodes.

With all eight episodes set to premiere simultaneously on Prime Video, most viewers will experience the show in its entirety rather than in a staggered release format. This could allow for fluctuations in the score as reactions to the latter half of the season emerge.

However, given the positive critical reception thus far and Flanagan’s proven ability with King’s works, a significant decline in the score seems unlikely based on the current buzz. If the series maintains or improves its standing with full reviews, it could position Flanagan’s adaptation as a serious contender to challenge De Palma’s film for the top spot among ‘Carrie’ adaptations.

She just wanted a friend. They gave her a fight. All episodes of Carrie, a new series from Mike Flanagan, premiere October 7 pic.twitter.com/Sss9ziYx3V

— prime video IN (@PrimeVideoIN) July 26, 2026

All eight episodes of ‘Carrie’ are scheduled to launch on Prime Video on Tuesday, October 7. This release strategy allows fans to binge-watch the entire series at once, which could benefit the show given the enthusiasm surrounding it.

For a director who has consistently demonstrated his ability to reinterpret King’s most challenging narratives, this early Rotten Tomatoes score indicates that Flanagan may have delivered his most assured adaptation yet.

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