WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
In 1974, Stephen King graced our bookshelves with his first twist on the coming-of-age story by writing Carrie. Making every girl reminiscent about her first period. Two years later, it made it to the silver screen for the first time – casting Sissy Spacek in the lead role. A television film was also made in 2002, but I do feel it took the limits of telekinesis and stretched them as far as they would possibly reach – even to outer space. In 2013, the memorable image of a blood-soaked Carrie made it to the cinemas once again, with Chloe Grace-Moretz being the first teenager to play the role.
The Opening Shower Scene
The tale of Carrie White starts in the same way for both films, both in ‘gym class’ before the iconic shower scene. For the time, the original film does contain a lot more nudity than the remake. I would not say the scenes are exactly frame-by-frame, especially with times having moved on. Including the fact that Chris films the incident on her phone, which she would have been unable to do in the 1970s. But I do feel that to some extent, Sue Snell is portrayed crueller in the original. She is the one to break open the tampon dispenser and does not seem to stop until she is made to by Ms Collins, the gym teacher. Whereas in the remake, Sue is the first to stop realising what a terrible thing they are doing. Also, an interesting thing to point out is that in both versions, the coach slaps Carrie to stop her hysterics – not being certain on the rules in America, but to me watching the remake, it came across as a surprise – as our teachers are no longer allowed to discipline in such a way.
Chris Hargensen and Billy Nolan
The part of Billy Nolan gave John Travolta his first big screen role back in 1976. It seems that Billy is actually written as the weaker character compared to Chris in the original film, including her verbally abusing him. On the other hand, in the remake he is portrayed as criminal – to the point that he threatens to kill Chris if she gets caught and mentions his name. Chris even uses the power of sex to get Billy to ‘do something’ about Carrie White, but it’s not exactly clear whose idea it is to kill and use the pig. In the remake, it is much clearer to the viewing audience that Billy is the driving force as Chris seems visually uncomfortable.
Torture by Technology
As I have previously referred to the use of technology by Chris videoing the terrible ‘Plug it up!’ abuse in the 2013 film, it is important to point out that it mirrors the way our own society has moved on in the forms of bullying. Throwing tampons and pads, for me, is bad enough but when it is brought to light in such a familiar situation by being filmed, it feels even worse. Adding insult to injury, Chris even posts the video online and it is shown at the prom when the bucket of blood is dropped. It is also seen in the remake that Sue would not have been at the prom if it were not for a text she is sent by Chris Hargensen. Whereas, in the original – she leaves home to see how Carrie and Tommy are getting on.
The Power of Telekinesis
Many of Carrie’s uses of her power are similar, like the bulb being blown in the changing room or the boy being knocked from his bike. Let’s begin with the scene in the principal’s office. In the original, the power shown is reasonably small – she just flips the ash tray from the table. In the remake, she bursts a whole water dispenser. Next is the mirror. Carrie breaks and puts back together the one in her bedroom in the original film. However, in the remake, she breaks one in the bathroom at school but is interrupt when attempting to fix it. In incidents with her mother, her powers are stronger – possibly due to the stress caused by each confrontation. However, what they are used on is different. In their first argument, regarding Tommy Ross and the prom, Carrie slams windows shut in the original. Alternatively, in the remake, she cracks the door to her cupboard when she is thrown in there to pray. Upon leaving, Carrie uses her power to keep her mum seated but in the remake – she picks her up from her knees, and forces her into the prayer cupboard. She even melts the lock closed when Tommy arrives.
Prom Night
Throughout their night, Tommy Ross is the perfect gentleman. He is patient, and understanding of Carrie’s struggles. The only part I do not completely understand, is the kiss. We know that he is dating Sue, so is the kiss genuine? Does he start falling for Carrie at the prom? It does slightly come across this way, but it is never made clear. However, we know from previous scenes that there is a higher possibility of Carrie having feelings for Tommy, but this is only made more obvious in the original film. I feel that this is portrayed more so, when the bucket falls – killing Tommy. In my opinion, this is the real spark that ignites the fire of Carrie’s telekinesis-induced mayhem to follow. A lot of what is inflicted upon the students and teachers, is very similar in both films – specifically the use of water and electricity. But the remake does seem to crank the violence up a notch, including crushing at least one student in the bleachers. What concerns me about the remake, is that Carrie actually seems to enjoy inflicting this pain upon them. In the original, she is a lot more passive. Surprisingly, the remake actually has a lower body count, probably due to the fact that Carrie seems to target specific people. Ms Desjardin (the 2013 version of Ms Collins, the coach) actually survives like many of the students.
In both films, Chris and Billy get away from the school before the mayhem ensues. But they never escape Carrie. Interestingly, in the remake she actually goes after them – with the intent to kill. They die in both films, but it is much more violent in the remake.
Death of the Whites
Being the religious woman she is, Carrie’s powers are too terrifying for her mother. This results in her attempting to murder her own daughter. This is no different in the remake. The same can be said for the death of the mother. With her power of telekinesis, Carrie crucifies her with the use of kitchen knives and other utensils. The one thing I will say for the 2013 film is that the fight between mother and daughter, after Carrie falls down the stairs and prior to the crucifixion, seems to be much longer. Even the destruction of their house at the end of both films is very similar, even though it is exactly clear in the original that Carrie is doing it. Part of me felt, that may be the house could no longer handle how strong her telekinesis had become and crumbled on its own.
Sue’s Dream Sequence
Both films end with a dream sequence in the mind of a catatonic Sue Snell. She visits the grave of Carrie White, but only in the remake is this grave actually in a cemetery. On both her gravestone and the makeshift cross in the original, someone has sprayed ‘Carrie White burns in Hell’. However, this is another scene that the remake takes to a new level. In the original, Sue places a bunch of flowers on the ‘grave’ of Carrie but her arm is grabbed by a hand that shoots from it, leading us to believe it is Carrie’s. In the remake, however, following Sue’s visit to the cemetery – we switch to a scene of Sue in labour. It is difficult, and we notice that the lights begin flicker. Sue even says that it does not feel right. At the point when we believe she has given birth, an arm appears between her legs, coated in blood and grabs her arm.
In Conclusion
Like my last review, I think I am going to have to sit on the fence once again. I always enjoyed the original, but truthfully there is nothing bad to say about the remake. I enjoy them both for what they are – retellings of a great novel, the remake even bringing it into the 21st century.
