Overview
A tale of revenge and supernatural power unfolds in a high school setting where isolation breeds tragedy.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- oppressive
- foreboding
- melodramatic
- halloween night
- late night horror marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an iconic and masterfully directed psychological horror adaptation, distinguished by Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie's performances and its stylized prom sequence.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Carrie's persecution by classmates transforms recognizable high school embarrassment into supernatural dread and revenge.
The prom sequence employs slow motion, long takes, and split-screen to turn social ritual into escalating cinematic terror.
Margaret White frames menstruation, sexuality, romance, and independence as sin, directly constraining Carrie's development.
Carrie's newfound telekinetic power becomes the means through which she attempts to break free from family and peer control.
Films like Carrie, and why
The Craft
Shares psychological horror, adolescent alienation, social cruelty, and a sympathetic outsider pushed toward vengeance.
Ginger Snaps
Combines high school bullying, supernatural abilities, coming-of-age anxiety, and escalating revenge within a teen horror framework.
The Exorcist
Shares oppressive religious trauma, psychological horror, melodramatic intensity, and a young woman confronting terrifying forces.
Black Swan
Uses stylized psychological thriller filmmaking, social humiliation, and a volatile descent into violent retribution.
Movie Details
- Director
- Brian De Palma
- Release Date
- 1976-11-03
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (4457)
Cast
- Sissy Spacek
- Piper Laurie
- Amy Irving
- William Katt
- John Travolta
- Nancy Allen
- Betty Buckley
- P. J. Soles
- Priscilla Pointer
- Sydney Lassick
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Cinemax Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Carrie about?
- A persecuted high school outcast discovers telekinetic power amid religious abuse and turns a night of public humiliation into catastrophic revenge.
- What is Carrie like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Carrie as brisk, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Carrie violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Carrie as graphic.
- What did critics think of Carrie?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an iconic and masterfully directed psychological horror adaptation, distinguished by Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie's performances and its stylized prom sequence.
- Which films are like Carrie?
- Films with a similar feel include The Craft, Ginger Snaps, The Exorcist, and Black Swan.
- How long is Carrie?
- Carrie runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch Carrie?
- In United States, Carrie streams on Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Cinemax Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
