Mike Flanagan is officially adapting Stephen King’s novel eight-episode take on the author’s iconic 1974 horror story Carrie.
Carrie is far from Mike Flanagan’s first dive into the world of Stephen King, having previously helmed film adaptations of Gerald’s Game (2017), Doctor Sleep (2019), and The Life of Chuck (releasing in 2025). However, Flanagan has yet to put his take on the author’s work in a TV format, making his series even more exciting. Though the fact that Brian De Palma adapted Carrie into a critically adored 1976 horror movie may be a cause for concern for Flanagan’s remake, his work on Doctor Sleep already established a masterful ability to tread on beloved, familiar Stephen King territory.
Mike Flanagan Proved He Could Brilliantly Remake A Stephen King Classic In Doctor Sleep
Doctor Sleep Masterfully Remakes Iconic Scenes From The Shining Book & Movie
When Mike Flanagan took on the daunting task of adapting Stephen King’s 2013 novel Doctor Sleep, it was a huge risk for the filmmaker, as the book was the author’s long-delayed sequel to his iconic horror story The Shining. Therefore, successfully adapting Doctor Sleep involved appeasing fans of the 2013 book, fans of King’s 1976 The Shining novel, and fans of Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film adaptation of The Shining, which notably departs from the author’s original story. As difficult as it was to take all these differing expectations into , Mike Flanagan’s Doctor Sleep movie was masterfully executed.
Doctor Sleep received a "Certified Fresh" 78% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the movie underperformed in theaters, earning only $72.4 million against an estimated $45 million budget.
Doctor Sleep proved that Flanagan could successfully tackle a classic Stephen King IP while putting his own new spin on it, which bodes very well for Carrie receiving this same treatment. Additionally, various aspects of Doctor Sleep’s movie essentially remake key parts of The Shining – both Kubrick's movie and King's book – as it recreates iconic original scenes, characters, and moments. Flanagan’s “remakes” of classic The Shining scenes involved authentic homages to the original film and book infused with his own unique touch on them, which is exactly what a new remake of Carrie would require today.
Mike Flanagan's Carrie Show Has A Bigger Challenge After 25 Years Of Failed Carrie Remakes
Carrie Hasn't Had A Hit Adaptation Since 1976
Not only does Mike Flanagan’s new iteration of Stephen King's Carrie have to overcome the disadvantage of comparisons to De Palma’s 1976 movie, but it also has to overcome the fatigue and skepticism of yet another adaptation after some disappointing subsequent versions. Though 1976’s Carrie holds an impressive “Certified Fresh” 94% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, the 1999 sequel, 2002 movie, and 2013 iterations weren’t so warmly received. Rather, The Rage: Carrie 2 has a disappointing 23% rating, Carrie (2002) holds a 20% score, and the latest remake, Carrie (2013), received a divisive 50% critics’ score.
Carrie Adaptation |
Rotten Tomatoes Score |
|---|---|
Carrie (1976) |
94% |
The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999) |
23% |
Carrie (2002) |
20% |
Carrie (2013) |
50% |
Expectations are therefore relatively low for a new Carrie adaptation to live up to the 1976 movie, even with a horror master like Doctor Sleep’s Mike Flanagan behind it. Thankfully, Flanagan’s resume of well-received Stephen King adaptations makes it more likely that Carrie’s TV show will be a hit. Furthermore, Flanagan even has the opportunity to improve upon De Palma’s adaptation with a TV format, as more episodes allow hilton dive deeper into elements of the novel that the movies omitted. Flanagan’s Carrie could become the best adaptation yet, it just has some warranted reservations to conquer.
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Doctor Sleep
7/10- Release Date
- October 30, 2019
- Runtime
- 153 minutes
- Director
- Mike Flanagan
WHERE TO WATCH
RENTBUYBased on Stephen King's book of the same name and the sequel to The Shining, Doctor Sleep follows an adult Danny Torrance (Ewan McGregor) as he confronts his past at the Overlook Hotel. When a young girl named Abra reaches out to Danny using the telepathic Shine, he learns that she is being hunted and reluctantly becomes her protector. With the Overlook Hotel holding the key to Danny's own power, he's forced to return in order to finally move on.
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Carrie is a horror film directed by Brian De Palma, based on Stephen King's novel. It stars Sissy Spacek as Carrie White, a shy high school student who discovers her telekinetic abilities. Tormented by her peers and controlled by her fanatically religious mother, played by Piper Laurie, the film follows Carrie's emotional and psychological struggles leading to a dramatic climax. Carrie solidified its place in the horror genre for its powerful performances and chilling atmosphere.
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