Carrie (1976)

Hello everyone! Today, we're in for a real treat. I will be reviewing and analyzing a classic from the King of Horror, Carrie (1976). For the longest time, I've wanted to watch this adaptation but always put it off because I related a little too much with the titular character. However, I took the leap and was not disappointed. I'd like to preface that I have never read the novel, so there are some details that I'm sure I haven't addressed here. For simplicity, I wanted to focus on my opinion and analysis on some of the more immediate themes I gathered from the film. So without further ado, here is Carrie.

Synopsis: Withdrawn and sensitive teen Carrie White faces taunting from classmates at school and abuse from her fanatically pious mother at home. When strange occurrences start happening around Carrie, she begins to suspect that she has supernatural powers. Invited to the prom by the empathetic Tommy Ross, Carrie tries to let her guard down, but things eventually take a dark and violent turn.

Before getting into the analysis of the film, I must applaud the actors, specifically the star. Sissy Spacek truly embodied this role. She perfectly captured Carrie's timidity, and the curiosity that blossoms into shy self-confidence. While the novel goes more in-depth with the characters, the film highlights the "Outsider" effect spectacularly.

As the daughter of religious fanatic Margaret White, Carrie is not only ostracized for her meek nature, but also for her mother's reputation as a zealot. As a small community, many of the parents view Margaret as odd and freakish. This has obviously trickled down into how the children in the community view and treat Carrie.

Speaking of Margaret White, her character is incredibly well acted. A religious zealot, she is often brutal in her parenting. She drills into her daughter the sin of womanhood and sexuality, locking her in her prayer closet when she asserts herself. It is later revealed in the film that Carrie was the product of marital rape. Margaret's brutality towards her daughter is most likely a manifestation of the guilt and shame she feels. This mother-daughter dynamic highlights (this idea): the relationship you have with your parents sets the tone for all relationships for the rest of your life. Margaret's abuse primed Carrie to be the perfect passive victim for her classmates'.

Before we even get into the meat of the movie, we start off with Carrie and some of her female classmates in PE. When the titular character misses the ball or fails to hit it properly, her teammates jeer and casually hit her on the head. Immediately, we are introduced to Carrie's ostracization. No one bats an eye or protests at this casual act of roughness. Everyone has agreed that violence against the teen is normal, even accepted as she never makes a move to stand up for herself.

The second most well-known scene in the film depicts Carrie getting her period for the first time in the girls' locker room. Since she was never educated about it, she panics, desperately crying out for help. Instead of offering understanding and patience, the other girls shove her to the floor, taunting her as they throw tampons and pads at her.

This utter lack of empathy displayed by her peers speaks to the Carrie inside us all. The weird, awkward, "unacceptable" parts we all possess. I suppose that's part of her tragedy. If the conditions are right, you could be Carrie White. If you're deemed not white enough, skinny enough, or "pretty" enough, it's easy to turn into a scapegoat.

People love to say "kids will be kids" or "what do you expect?". But this mentality ignores the very real terror bullying reigns upon its victims. Cruelty should not be normal. Unfortunately, it is but we should all strive to treat each other with dignity and respect. Yes, children can be blunt and insensitive on account of their youth. But it's up to the adults around them to streamline that bluntness into curiosity and kindness.

As someone who was bullied as a child, I have seen firsthand the ramifications of a mere slap on the wrist for bullies. The adults around me parroted the classic "Just don't give them a reaction" and other expressions. While they meant well, it didn't stop the bullying. If anything, it made my tormentors try even harder to elicit a reaction out of me.

Lack of accountability allows this behavior to fester. While Sue Snell sees her wrongdoings and attempts to make amends, the rest of Carrie's tormentors just want to endure their punishment so they can go to the prom. Because the cruelty and othering of Carrie has been so normalized, no one sees the error of their ways. In fact, it pushes Chris Hargensen to take even more extreme measures.

Wearing a dress she made herself, Carrie dances the night away and even shares a kiss with Tommy. While shy, she feels...happy. For the first time in her life, she looks beautiful and truly feels beautiful as well. Several classmates compliment her outfit while she and Tommy win Prom Queen & King.After years of torment, she has finally found what she so desperately craved: acceptance. As she goes up to claim her crown and scepter, Carrie beams bright for the whole school to see. Just for a moment, everything will be okay.

Until it isn't.

With no one the wiser, Chris dumps a bucket of pig's blood onto the happy couple. In hauntingly slow motion, the crimson liquid drenches Carrie in a gory spectacle while Tommy collapses from being hit in the head with the bucket.

Amidst the silence, Margaret White's voice rings out:

“Everybody’s going to laugh at you!”

And laugh they do. The whole gymnasium (save for Miss Collins and Sue) erupts into raucous laughter. My god.

After all the abuse and trauma she has suffered, she has finally been pushed over the edge. The night ends in a massacre with Sue as the only survivor. As Carrie demolishes the school and the rest of the town goes haywire, I couldn't help but cheer her on. In a world that protects and prioritizes the well-being of abusers, it was cathartic to see a teenage girl get her revenge and for her tormentors to get their just deserts.

She finally reached her breaking point.

Though Carrie dies at the end, her story is a cautionary tale for unchecked cruelty. It creates people who either completely collapse into themselves or become consumed with rage. Not to mention, it creates individuals devoid of empathy for those deemed "different".

It begs the question: How long should we ask the abused to suffer before they take justice into their own hands?

My only complaint about the movie is that we don't spend much time with Carrie herself. I would've liked to see more of her inner world as opposed to people's reactions to her, but it was fantastic regardless.

Overall, this stellar film, and I'm glad I finally got to watch it. Until next time!

XOXO, Michaela