History Literature / Carrie

* [[Film/{{Carrie 1976}} The 1976 film adaptation]] by Creator/BrianDePalma is by far the most famous of the bunch, and arguably had [[AdaptationDisplacement a greater impact than the book]]. Critics regard De Palma's adaptation as a landmark film, one of the best horror films of TheSeventies, and one of the best feature film adaptations of any of King's stories, to the point where King himself [[CreatorPreferredAdaptation feels that it's better than the book]]. The film became a major success for Creator/UnitedArtists, as it ended up making over $33 million at the U.S. box office on a budget of just $1.8 million[[note]]In 2016 dollars, over $126 million on a $7.6 million budget[[/note]]. The ending is notable for being perhaps the first use of a "shock" ending in a horror film, which has since become a staple of the genre. Film critics welcomed ''Carrie'' with immense acclaim ([[SciFiGhetto unusual for a horror film]] even today), which helped it gain a UsefulNotes/HugoAward and two UsefulNotes/AcademyAward nominations: one for Creator/SissySpacek for Best Actress, and the other a Best Supporting Actress nod for Piper Laurie.[[note]]They lost to, respectively, Faye Dunaway and Beatrice Straight from ''Film/{{Network}}''.[[/note]]

* The 1999 sequel ''Film/TheRageCarrie2'' starred Emily Bergl and Jason London, and had Amy Irving reprise her role as Sue Snell. Set over twenty years after the original film, it has a new teen outcast, Rachel Lang, use her powers to get revenge on a group of {{Jerk Jock}}s who had [[DrivenToSuicide bullied her friend Lisa into killing herself]], while Sue, now a guidance counselor who remembers what had happened before, tries to stop things from getting out of control. A DolledUpInstallment (it was originally written as a standalone film called ''The Curse''), it met a poor reception from critics and was mostly forgotten at the box office, though it does have something of a cult fandom nowadays.
* A [[MadeForTVMovie made-for-TV]] version [[Film/{{Carrie 2002}} was made in 2002]], airing on Creator/{{NBC}}. This adaptation, written by Creator/BryanFuller and starring Creator/AngelaBettis, Creator/PatriciaClarkson, and Creator/EmilieDeRavin, stayed closer to King's novel than the 1976 film did -- with the exception of the ending, which the creators intended to [[PilotMovie lead into an NBC series]] that never happened. The film mirrors the novel's [[ScrapbookStory use of after-the-fact articles]] to tell its story; most of the film takes place in flashbacks while the police interview what few survivors remain after Carrie's rampage. Despite its obvious low budget, blatant CG, and radically altered ending, this film has its share of fans, particularly for Bettis' performance as Carrie and for being TruerToTheText. In some way, this version could perhaps be compared to the 1997 MiniSeries remake of ''Literature/TheShining'' in terms of trying to be more faithful to the source material, though King wasn't involved with this one.
* Another film adaptation [[Film/{{Carrie 2013}} was released in 2013]]. This version was directed by Kimberly Peirce (of ''Film/BoysDontCry'' fame), written by playwright, Creator/MarvelComics scribe, and ''Series/{{Glee}}'' writer/co-producer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, and starred Creator/ChloeGraceMoretz, Creator/JulianneMoore, and Creator/JudyGreer. It largely pulled elements from both the novel and De Palma's film; opinion on it is largely divided as to whether it should've been based more on the book or the 1976 movie. The overall reaction is that it's not bad, exactly, though it's still very much in the shadow of the original. A leaked script and several deleted scenes confirm that it was supposed to be more faithful to the book, but forty minutes of footage were cut and a lot was re-shot to bring it closer to a ShotForShotRemake.

* {{Corpsing}}: In the book, this is how everyone, even Miss Desjardin, laughs at Carrie when the pig's blood coats her because it's so bizarre and out there. Their timing couldn't have been worse, as it triggers Carrie's RageBreakingPoint.

** Margaret seems to have some sort of an undiagnosed personality disorder, perhaps even schizophrenia. It is also implied she may have lingering PTSD brought upon by the [[YourHeadASplode violent death of her father during a robbery]], a [[ConvenientMiscarriage traumatic miscarriage]], and [[MaritalRapeLicense being raped by Ralph White]] all within a [[TraumaCongaLine relatively short timespan]].

* KnifeNut: In Margaret's more psychotic moments, [[spoiler:including the end]], she goes after Carrie with a butcher's knife.

* NobleMaleRoguishMale: Tommy Ross and Billy Nolan respectively. Tommy Ross is a LovableJock while Billy Nolan is a [[TheSociopath sociopathic]] [[GreasedDelinquents greaser]]. Coincidentally, their girlfriends fit the [[LightFeminineAndDarkFeminine Distaff Counterpart]] of this trope as shown above.

** Billy and Chris also have sex (or at least, a sexual encounter) in his truck, though there's has a more nonconsensual undertone to it.

* AdultFear:
** Chris's father spoils her rotten and goes OhCrap when the principal reveals they have evidence of Chris bullying Carrie and can counter-sue. How is he going to feel --assuming he's alive-- when investigators determine that Chris was part of a DeadlyPrank that led to a town-wide massacre? Heck, how did he feel when Sue wrote a book alleging that Chris was the main instigator?
** The thought that bullies will never grow up or blame themselves for the TheChainOfHarm they start. Suppose Chris had meekly accepted the punishment that Miss Desjardin set. Then the rest of the book would have been avoided. As it is, Chris ended up being indirectly responsible for a massacre.

* FaceHeelDoubleTurn: Carrie starts out as a sympathetic victim, with Sue as one of her bullies. Over the course of the book, Sue becomes a kinder person, while Carrie becomes darker and more vengeful.

** [[AlphaBitch Chris]] and the rest of Carrie's {{Jerkass}} classmates didn't know what she was capable of until it was far too late. [[MyBelovedSmother Her mother]], on the other hand, did know... and not only [[WhatAnIdiot kept right on treating her in the same old way]], but actually treated her ''worse'', [[TooDumbToLive calling her a witch]]. In the novel, it's mentioned that Margaret's grandmother had the same talent, and Margaret knew about it.

* LightFeminineAndDarkFeminine: Sue Snell and Chris Hargensen, respectively. Best examplifed on their feelings for Carrie White: Sue is an InnocentBetaBitch who spends most of the novel trying to make Carrie feel better about herself and feels great guilt after the infamous Black Prom. Chris, meanwhile, is the [[AloofDarkHairedGirl aloof]] AlphaBitch who has a long detention record and is the one that pulls the nasty prank on Carrie on prom night. Coincidentally, their boyfriends fit the [[NobleMaleAndRoguishMale Spear Counterpart]] of this trope as shown below.

* NobleMaleAndRoguishMale: Tommy Ross and Billy Nolan respectively. Tommy Ross is a LovableJock while Billy Nolan is a [[TheSociopath sociopathic]] [[GreasedDelinquents greaser]]. Coincidentally, their girlfriends fit the [[LightFeminineAndDarkFeminine Distaff Counterpart]] of this trope as shown above.

[[caption-width-right:300: Carrie White -- making people [[BewareTheNiceOnes afraid]] [[BullyingADragon to pick on]] [[ShrinkingViolet "that girl"]] since 1974.]]

* WorldOfJerkass: [[ExaggeratedTrope Everyone]] except Carrie (at first), Sue, (eventually), Tommy, and a few minor characters are jerks. Even Ms.Desjardin turns out to be more of a BitchInSheepsClothing than the CoolTeacher she seems to be.

Unfortunately, [[BewareTheNiceOnes this proves to be the worst mistake anyone could ever have made]], as [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge Carrie proceeds to turn her power into a horrifying weapon]], with devastating consequences not only for the bullies, but for everyone in the town of Chamberlain.

Unfortunately, [[BewareTheNiceOnes this proves to be the worst mistake anyone could ever have made]], with [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge devastating consequences]] not only for the bullies, but for everyone in the town of Chamberlain.

Unfortunately for Chris, her friends, and everyone in the town of Chamberlain, [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge this proves to be the worst mistake anyone could ever have made]].

Unfortunately for Chris, her friends, and the town of Chamberlain, [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge this proves to be the worst mistake anyone could ever have made]].

Unfortunately, this proves to be the worst mistake that anyone could ever have made, because Carrie proceeds to turn her power into a horrifying weapon, with devastating consequences not only for the bullies, but for everyone in the town of Chamberlain.

Unfortunately, this proves to be the worst mistake anyone could ever have made, with [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge devastating consequences]] not only for the bullies, but for everyone in the town of Chamberlain.

Considering Carrie's telekinetic powers, [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge this goes about as well as one would expect it to.]]