Mike Flanagan’s ‘Carrie’ Rotten Tomatoes Score Revealed with Critics’ Reactions

Few horror tales have been revisited as frequently as ‘Carrie’. Stephen King’s debut novel has inspired Brian De Palma’s iconic 1976 film, a 2002 TV movie, and a 2013 remake featuring Chloë Grace Moretz. This extensive history prompts a crucial question for any new adaptation, and Mike Flanagan is tasked with addressing it for both audiences and King himself.

Flanagan has developed a new series for Prime Video, marking the first-ever series adaptation of the novel. He not only wrote the project but also serves as showrunner and executive producer, directing 4 out of the 8 episodes, with King also on board as an executive producer. This project represents Flanagan’s inaugural effort with Prime Video after his departure from Netflix, where he signed a deal with the competing platform.

With the premiere just days away, critics have begun to share their thoughts. The Rotten Tomatoes page for ‘Carrie’ currently displays an average Tomatometer score of 85%, although the audience score on the Popcornmeter is yet to be determined. This score has risen from an initial 80%, which was based solely on the first two episodes screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and Fantastic Fest.

At this early stage, the series ranks second among adaptations of the novel, trailing only De Palma’s 1976 film, which boasts a score of 94%. The 2002 TV movie holds a score of 33%, while the 2013 film sits at 51%. As more reviews come in, these scores may still fluctuate, especially since many now cover all 8 episodes.

Critics have particularly praised the lead performance. TV Guide described Summer H. Howell as tremendous in her portrayal of Carrie White, noting that she makes the character someone viewers can love and feel protective over, rather than merely pity. Several early reviews have favorably compared her performance to previous iterations of the role.

Comic Book Club Live called the series bloody terrific, stating that Flanagan has accomplished something audacious, even if it may not surpass De Palma’s film. NOW Toronto awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, suggesting viewers might be pleasantly surprised by its humane interpretation of the novel. Mama’s Geeky referred to it as a brilliant modernization addressing themes of viral bullying, maternal love, and trauma.

The Austin Chronicle offered a more tempered review, stating that Flanagan’s version does not represent as radical a reinvention as some might hope and is unlikely to overshadow De Palma’s film, while still recognizing him as the master of long-form horror serials.

🪣 New teaser for Mike Flanagan’s CARRIE focusing on Alison Thornton as Chris Hargensen.

October 7 on @PrimeVideo

🩸🩸🩸 pic.twitter.com/uWpvI5mwjB

— Estella (Carrie Updates) (@EsteIla_Couture) September 29, 2026

However, not every review has been positive. HorrorBuzz rated the opening episodes a mere 4 out of 10, citing pacing issues that made them feel overly long. TV Insider pointed out that a subplot involving a toxic meme account drags on excessively, although it acknowledged the series as the best argument yet that Carrie’s story doesn’t have to conclude with the prom.

TV Guide praised the show but cautioned that its ending risks undermining the overall narrative, and a recurring theme involving other telekinetic girls detracts from the series. CBR rated it 7 out of 10, indicating that the reinvention mostly succeeds despite some uneven elements. These critiques suggest a strong lead performance but mixed reactions to some of Flanagan’s narrative expansions.

The series updates the story for the present day, with Carrie dealing with high school challenges, a viral bullying scandal, social media, and the emergence of her telekinetic abilities. The eight episodes allow for deeper exploration of the characters surrounding her, including Siena Agudong as Sue Snell and Alison Thornton as Chris Hargensen. Samantha Sloyan plays Carrie’s mother, Margaret, with Amber Midthunder as Miss Desjardin and Matthew Lillard as Principal Grayle.

The episode titles resemble a school schedule, featuring titles like ‘First Period’, ‘Foreign Language’, and ‘AP Physics’. King himself has commented on Threads, calling Flanagan’s adaptation brilliant and noting that its commentary on social media is both shocking and true. Flanagan has mentioned that King was initially skeptical, questioning what new angles could be explored in a story that has been told multiple times.

All 8 episodes will be available on Oct. 7 on Prime Video across more than 240 countries and territories. Since the entire season drops at once, most viewers will experience it as a cohesive whole, rather than the staggered viewing that critics initially had. TV Insider also highlighted that Flanagan has an expansive vision for his heroine, hinting that this could be the first installment of a trilogy.

For horror enthusiasts, the early feedback indicates that Flanagan has overcome a significant challenge. Whether the series can rival De Palma’s classic for supremacy will depend on audience reactions in the weeks to come. Regardless, this is one of the most highly anticipated Stephen King adaptations in recent years.

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