Review of Carrie (2013) by Josh H — 08 Oct 2014

I haven't seen the original movie, so I can't comment on how it compares to the original version, but I thoroughly enjoyed Carrie as a film. Chloe Moretz and Julianne Moore both play their roles perfectly in my opinion, and they portray the story of a poor girl oppressed by bullying and her extremely religious mother very well.

From the beginning of the movie, you're rooting for Carrie. She's just mistreated SO poorly by her fellow students and her mother, so the scenes where she finds comfort with Sue and her boyfriend Tommy are heartwarming.

Bizarrely, the famous prom scene left me feeling a range of emotions. Of course, there is the initial horror at all that happens, and shock that it does. There's also a bitter-sweet, and perhaps mildly sadistic, sense of satisfaction that Carrie gets revenge on those who are just so vile towards her. It's bitter-sweet, as there is also a great sense of tragedy in what happened. Along with the dilemma "Is it justified?", there is also a tone of mourning, as Carrie (assumedly) would face emotional and social consequences for it all.

In terms of the movie leading up to that scene (and the ones following it), I didn't feel that they were massively engaging. They served their purpose as build-up, however, so I don't feel the need to be overly critical over it. I won't spoil the ending, but the ending of Carrie (the movie) definitely enhances the feel of it being a tragedy.

Overall, I find the movie a welcome addition to the horror genre. And, the weird teen drama that seems to have been woven into it (which largely feels irrelevant, to be honest). Regardless, I personally enjoyed the movie and the moral dilemmas which it brings, and the Prom Scene truly was awesome.