Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Carrie on Prime Video.Mike Flanagan’s Carrie revitalizes the Stephen King book, expanding on certain characters and storylines from the source material in ways a movie’s runtime wouldn’t allow. That’s what sets the Prime Video series apart from prior adaptations. And while its more sympathetic version of Carrie White (Summer H. Howell) and layered take on Margaret (Samantha Sloyan) prove refreshing, the most exciting expansion is the show’s approach to psychic powers.
King’s novel includes epistolary elements, like newspaper clippings and excerpts of books, that offer insights into the TK gene that causes some women to exhibit powers. Their inclusion suggests examples of this phenomenon beyond Carrie, but the book never introduces any other psychics. Flanagan’s adaptation changes that, taking a broader approach to King’s mythology. It continues the thread from his book, laying the groundwork for a much deeper exploration of Carrie and people like her.
Mike Flanagan Deepens the Supernatural Lore in ‘Carrie’
King’s 1974 novel gives just enough information about Carrie’s powers to ground her story in fictional science and offer broader context. However, it doesn’t dig deeply into the lore it presents. It prefers to spend its pages on Carrie’s experience and the tragedy she causes. Prime Video’s adaptation zooms out, exploring what a world with psychics would really look like. It lays that foundation early, with its story about the woman who lifted a car to save her son. Then the show gets into the meat of it by introducing Amanda (Katee Sackhoff) and Emaline (Thalia Dudek).
The two characters represent the opposing responses to a world where supernatural powers exist. Amanda intentionally seeks out the parents of psychic children, clearly intending to eliminate them. She encourages Margaret to kill Carrie, then tries herself when the other woman refuses. By contrast, Emaline pushes Carrie to embrace who she is, powers and all. She doesn’t balk at using them against people, and she even pushes for it at times.
Amanda notes that psychics can use the internet to find each other — one result of Carrie‘s altered timeline — so it’s probably safe to assume Emaline has other friends with similar beliefs and abilities. Kate Siegel’s mystery character and her companions present yet another faction, working together to find psychics, though to what end is unclear. They demonstrate the truth of Amanda’s words, proving that “Others” are more prevalent in this version of Carrie, and more connected.
Emaline being a shape-shifter and Siegel’s character having the ability to control someone’s vitals is also interesting, as it introduces new powers to the mix. This takes the allusions from King’s text and runs with them, and it might be setting up an on-screen story that goes beyond one book.
This ‘Carrie’ Change Sets Up More Stories in This World
Carrie‘s larger supernatural lore adds to an existing story from King’s book, but it also sets up more seasons — and potentially a larger universe. Carrie‘s ending sees its lead running away with Emaline, who claims to be bringing her somewhere safe. It’s possible they’ll encounter more kids like them if Carrie is renewed for Season 2. They may face new obstacles, too, since Carrie is now more aware and in control of her abilities. Unfortunately, she’s also drawn attention to them, putting her in danger.
Kate Siegel’s character is clearly interested in Carrie, so she may start tracking her if new episodes are green-lit. More extremists like Amanda could also be introduced, creating a fascinating face-off between these different factions. Flanagan has said that he’d be interested in three seasons (via Deadline), and this storyline could easily make that a reality.
With Flanagan also helming The Dark Tower TV show for Prime Video, it’s possible he’ll spin his King adaptations into a larger, more interconnected franchise as well. Technically, most of King’s books connect to the Dark Tower universe. Carrie alludes to its larger franchise setup through its reference to “the shine,” so it’s a strong possibility. If anyone can handle an extended Stephen King TV universe, it’s Flanagan. His ability to build on this smaller piece of lore is proof of that.
- Release Date
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2026 – 2026-00-00
- Network
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Prime Video
- Writers
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Mike Flanagan, Alexandra Magistro, Justina Ireland, Jamie Flanagan, Elan Gale, Rebecca Klingel, Elizabeth Padden, Dani Parker
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
