Carrie

Name: Carrie
Genre: Horror
Released: November 16, 1976
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 86
Cast: Amy Irving, John Travolta, Piper Laurie, Sissy Spacek

1976

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Universal acclaim based on 21 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 119 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 119 Ratings

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Carrie

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Movie Details & Credits

United Artists | Release Date: November 16, 1976 | R

Starring: Amy Irving, John Travolta, Piper Laurie, Sissy Spacek

Summary: Carrie White, a shy, reclusive teenage girl who is sheltered by her domineering, religious mother, unleashes her telekinetic powers after being humiliated by her classmates at her senior prom.

Director: Brian De Palma

Genre(s): Horror

Rating: R

Runtime: 98 min

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Critic Reviews

100

The Telegraph Tim Robey

Brian De Palma's flamboyant directing might seem callous were it not balanced by Sissy Spacek's heart-rending performance as the mousy adolescent who wreaks telekinetic vengeance when she's humiliated by bitchy classmates. [10 Dec 2011, p.39]

100

Owen Gleiberman

One of the most important movies of my life. It’s one of the two films, the other being Robert Altman’s Nashville, that made me want to be a critic. And that’s because Carrie did more than thrill, frighten, and captivate me; it sent a volt charge through my system that rewired my imagination, showing me everything that movies could be. Read full review

100

Staff (Not Credited)

The term “iconic” is often overused, but in the case of Brian De Palma’s 1976 horror film “Carrie,” it’s justified. The image of Sissy Spacek doused in blood at the prom is unmistakable and regularly referenced in other scary movies and parodies. [28 Feb 2014, p.R06]

Michael Wilmington

A voluptuously shot horror movie, with Piper Laurie (as Carrie's fanatically religious mom) and some nasty teens played by Amy Irving, Nancy Allen and John Travolta. Read full review

Mike Clark

Sissy Spacek goes vengefully telekinetic in one of director Brian De Palma's best movies, and her scenes with mom Piper Laurie (both actresses were Oscar-nominated) release a lot of energy themselves. [29 Jun 2004]

Time Out London Tom Huddleston

De Palma’s grasp on King’s material is never in doubt: this is a truly throat-grabbing horror movie, sporting a handful of pitch-perfect set-pieces, not to mention one of the few examples of effective split-screen. Read full review

Dave Kehr

Brian De Palma demonstrates the drawbacks of a film-school education by overexploiting every cornball trick of style in the book: slow motion, split screen long takes, and soft focus abound, all to no real point...He's an overachiever—which might not make for good movies, but at least he's seldom dull. Read full review

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User Reviews

foxgrove

Aug 27, 2019

My favourite film of all time, which I must have seen getting on for 150 viewings. The iconic Carrie is astonishingly powerful and heart breaking as portrayed by the brilliant Sissy Spacek. Kudos to all the cast who were fresh at the time, although only Travolta really went on to furtherMy favourite film of all time, which I must have seen getting on for 150 viewings. The iconic Carrie is astonishingly powerful and heart breaking as portrayed by the brilliant Sissy Spacek. Kudos to all the cast who were fresh at the time, although only Travolta really went on to further acclaim. Piper Laurie was already an established name from the 50's and she is supurb here. DePalma's direction is faultless. Style and confidence rule the day. Editing is fluid and Pino Donaggio's score reminds one that they really don't compose lush melodies form films anymore.
A sublime fim. One to see again and again.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

kyle20ellis

Mar 28, 2022

One of Brian DePalma's better movies, in fact scratch that it is probably the best film of DePalma's career, Carrie is a classic of its genre. I also think it is an example of the film being better than source material. The book, written by Stephen King, is good, the film is a classic.One of Brian DePalma's better movies, in fact scratch that it is probably the best film of DePalma's career, Carrie is a classic of its genre. I also think it is an example of the film being better than source material. The book, written by Stephen King, is good, the film is a classic.

Carrie does have some genuine scary jolts and unsettling moments, such as the crucifixion which is thrilling and unforgettable and the ending which still shocks me. But it also has heart, as there are some poignant scenes, especially as Sissy Spacek's performance is so heart-breakingly good. Piper Laurie is also brilliant, and it was quite nice to see John Travolta too.

DePalma's direction is taut, the script is tense and lyrical and the story despite being much copied never loses its impact or focus. Stylistically and visually, Carrie is a triumph too; I loved the cinematography and the scenery and the lighting just added to the atmosphere which was consistently amazing.

So all in all, truly excellent movie. While it is scary and shocking, it also manages to have an edge of poignancy and humanity too. 10/10 Bethany Cox… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

santymvazquez

Feb 1, 2018

Carrie, this is one of my favorite old-school horror movies, because despite the low budget and others, they managed to do a great job, without a doubt the best of Stephen King. And obviously, love the end.

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

Tomtag

May 6, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Brian De Palma’s Carrie (1976) had grown really popular for horror fans based on Stephen King’s very first novel with the same name. It’s about Carrie White, a shy, friendless teenage girl who is sheltered by her domineering, religious mother, unleashes her telekinetic powers after being humiliated by her classmates at her senior prom. The screenplay was written by Lawrence D. Cohen. I don’t really care much about the screenplay because it’s already good! What could be wrong about it? Starring Sissy Spacek as Carrie White, Piper Laurie as her terrible mother (she’s an a-hole), Margaret White, who knew too much about Christianity. There’s Amy Irving as Sue Snell, one of the a-holes who bullied Carrie but she ‘s a good guy in the end (so not much of an a-hole then). Carrie also had one or two enemies, Chris Hargensen played by Nancy Allen and Billy Nolan played by an actor some of us had known already, John Travolta. I forgot, there was also Tommy Ross played by William Katt. It was good acting, Spacek had real emotions for her character, she also had great motivation. I was glad that she was nominated for Best Actress in the Oscars (I’ve also heard that Kathy Bates won Best Actress for the movie Misery, also based on Stephen King’s book). Laurie was as good as Spacek being Carrie’s mother with a dark character and acted like she’s the one who knew the most about Christianity and she locked Carrie in a room. That’s what happens when you know too much about something…cuz it would drive you mad and...hurt others. There are a few iconic scenes from the movie. I think the most iconic scene of them all was prom scene. If there wasn’t a prom scene, Carrie wouldn’t be a success. A bucket of blood fell on her and the bucket knocked Tommy Ross’ head and he died. Carrie raged and used her telekinetic powers to kill everyone in the prom and when she went out, Chris and Billy were her victims as well, trapped in her car and f*cking dead. Why do I usually see at least one character has a superpower in each Stephen King adaptation? Such as Danny Torrance with the Shining power from the Shining, Pennywise from IT,…I usually didn’t think horror movies would be really successful when a character has powers. But I was wrong. The main character Carrie here used her powers in a frightening way for audiences. She used her powers to kill characters which made this a horror masterpiece. I really love the prom scene!
I also liked the soundtrack they made. The music when Carrie killed her mother was dramatic, frightening and I felt old. But I wasn’t impressed when they copied the noises from Psycho (1960) to make the scenes when Carrie using her powers scarier and they were. The 70s cinematography was also one of the parts that made the movie one of the most popular horror movies up to now. I really like this Stephen King adaptation, it had many terrifying things: the 70s cinematography, the soundtrack and noise which they stole from Psycho, the blood, Carrie’s eyes and rage,… This movie is certainly unforgettable with its iconic scenes. This is one of the best Stephen King’s adaptations to date. My Ratings: 9.1/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 22, 2021

This is a bit of a cult classic I believe - a well known horror film from the 70s. There's a lot of symbology, with religion being one of a few obvious themes, plus puberty, femininity, social isolation and self expression I suppose. I'd heard of the story before but hadn't seen the film, soThis is a bit of a cult classic I believe - a well known horror film from the 70s. There's a lot of symbology, with religion being one of a few obvious themes, plus puberty, femininity, social isolation and self expression I suppose. I'd heard of the story before but hadn't seen the film, so I was curious to see what it'd be like. I thought the main performances were quite good, most notable by Sissy Spacek as the titular character, Carrie White. Its ironic her surname is white, given bright bloody red is the most symbolic colour in the film. I was also somewhat surprised to see John Travolta feature in this film. I thought there was some good camerawork in this film - quick zoom shots.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

maskedrider29

Oct 24, 2022

I used to really not like this movie, but as I've gotten older it has really grown on me.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

zNeverSleeping

Apr 29, 2020

Depois de tanto tempo, terror como esse não assusta mais.

A sétima arte é uma cultura apreciada de maneiras diferentes entre as demais nacionalidades e períodos históricos, sendo assim, é muito normal que um filme que foi um fracasso de bilheteria e crítica venha a ganhar espaço anos ou atéDepois de tanto tempo, terror como esse não assusta mais.

A sétima arte é uma cultura apreciada de maneiras diferentes entre as demais nacionalidades e períodos históricos, sendo assim, é muito normal que um filme que foi um fracasso de bilheteria e crítica venha a ganhar espaço anos ou até décadas após sua estreia. Quanto a Carrie, acredito que tenha sido justamente o oposto. Como um fan do gênero de terror, venho buscando cada vez mais projetos ambiciosos, que exploram a mentalidade humana e trazem mistos de emoções jamais persentidas. Infelizmente, Carrie 1976 tem data de validade se você for um pouquinho mais exigente que o normal.

Acredito que a sexualização, ou de forma mais vulgar - a nudez -, no filme é completamente evitável e sem propósito nenhum na trama, sendo posta de maneira gratuita. Os personagens não tem a menor profundidade, sendo resumidos a estereótipos e contradições a todo instante. O roteiro é um grande desastre e não consegue estabelecer nenhuma consistência em torno da trama. Aspectos psicológicos que poderiam ser levados a tona são completamente ignorados a sentimentos fúteis e genéricos. O trama acontece de maneira corrida, como se tivesse com algum tipo de pressa para mostrar o final. Os poderes da Carrie são postos como qualquer coisa na tela, demonstrando uma preguiça enorme em desenvolvê-los - e logo depois quase são esquecidos.

As atuações são péssimas em suma maioria e não convencem ninguém. Dava até pena de ver o Travolta daquele jeito. Não há o menor clímax que o filme se esforça em dizer que tem. A cena final, que deveria ser marcante, é trabalhada num suspense barato e que precisa emburrecer os personagens para funcionar. Inclusive, porque todo mundo é tão burro e ignorante - além da conta - nesses filmes? Tudo isso me parece preguiça de escrever uma história original e minimamente lógica e crível.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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