Carrie (1976)

Directed by: Brian De Palma
Release Date: 1976 

The story of an adolescent girl becoming a woman and the repercussions of coming into her sexuality is timeless. Mixed in with some horror elements and telekinesis, this film is classic Stephen King. This iconic horror film, directed by the inimitable Brian De Palma, still pops forty years later.

I'm familiar with the original novel, written by Stephen King and his first published novel in 1974. Could you believe this story, told in epistolary format was rejected over forty times by publishers? Crazy to think about init?

When Carrie's menstrual cycle begins for the first time, her female classmates yell, "Plug it up!" at her in the locker room and throw tampons at her. In the principal's office, he keeps calling her Cassie and when she corrects him, the ashtray on his desk sails off the table. On her way home from school, a kid calls her, "Scary Carrie" and one look from her causes him to crash off his bike. Carrie can move things with her mind and is just beginning to learn about her powers. Meanwhile, her uber-religious mother makes her feel guilty for "becoming a woman" and locks her in a closet to confess her sins. When Tommy asks Carrie out for the prom, Chris Hargensen, resident mean girl, makes it her job to make sure Carrie never forgets the day she was crowned Homecoming Queen. The school will never forget this day either.

Images of Sissy Spacek covered in pig blood has been satirized, copied, and spoofed through the years. This moment is the ultimate revenge fantasy for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, been bullied, teased, or felt self-conscious in their skin. That's why this film resonates so much. It can be cheesy but I still empathize with Carrie's humiliation and pain. Spacek captures Carrie's naivete, joyfulness, and later wrath so perfectly. With her smile, her laugh and her stern blank look when she moves things with her mind. She had a perfect blend of carefree and scary in one package.

Seeing John Travolta here in his first feature film made me think about his role on Welcome Back, Kotter and how this character is the dumb version of Vinnie Barbarino if he had a mean bitch girlfriend like Chris. This film was the perfect vehicle for Travolta and the rest is cinematic history.

The visuals in the film, especially during the prom scene, are so creepy and gore-tastic. All that blood and mayhem was shot masterfully because that audience felt like they were in the chaos as well. From quick shots to Carrie's face and the crowd, we always knew who she targeted. I could go on and on about this one.

Watch and you won't be disappointed. Timeless horror picture, truly.


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