Adaptation: Film Review - Carrie (2013)

Fig. 1 Carrie (2013) Movie Poster

Kimberly Peirce's Carrie (2013) is the second film adaption of Stephen King's novel of the same name. This modern take on it's source material demonstrates Hollywood's lack of ideas and takes one it's most memorable and well regarded horror films, from 1976, into the 21st century cinema.

Fig. 2 Carrie (Played by Chloe Grace Moretz)

Chloe Grace Moretz plays Carrie in this film and so this is a much different choice of actress in comparison to the 1976 version, where Sissy Spacek played the lead role. She is an attractive actress and so her "weirdness" and obscurity is in her actions and how she speaks and dresses. Because of her appearance, though, it feels a little strange that she is segregated from everyone at her school and doesn't have anyone to protect her or talk to her. Despite this, it is clear that all is not as it seems with Carrie. It becomes clear in the film that her extremely religious Mother (Played by Julianne Moore) controls her and forces her to do what she wants. This consequently means that Carrie has to live with being abused, both mentally and physically, at home and at school.

Fig.3 Getting ready for the Prom

Effectively, this version is played out rather similar to the 1976 version, however as it is set in current times, the characters wear modern clothes and own modern things, such as iPhones. The famous locker room scene from the 1976 film is re-imagined through the other school students filming Carrie on their phones. This makes for a very sympathetic scene and highlights just how cruel the students can be. 

Fig.4 Carrie covered in Pig's blood

In conclusion, this is a very modern take on Stephen King's classic. It demonstrates the change between 1976 and 2013, this therefore highlights the difference in the challenges that Carrie faces in the two films. Although the overall plot structure is the same as the original version, it doesn't feel as convincing, however, due to the fact the wrong choice of actress (Chloe Grace Moretz) and the strange CG effects used in the final stages of the film.

Illustration List:

Fig. 1 Carrie (2013) Movie Poster - http://www.destroythebrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/carrie-domestic-poster.jpg - (Accessed 17/11/2015)

Fig. 2 Carrie (Played by Chloe Grace Moretz) - http://projectdeadpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Carrie2.jpg - (Accessed 17/11/2015)

Fig.3 Getting ready for the Prom - https://c.o0bg.com/rf/image_460w/Boston/2011-2020/2013/10/10/BostonGlobe.com/ReceivedContent/Images/CARRIE-5693.jpg - (Accessed 17/11/2015)

Fig.4 Carrie covered in Pig's blood - https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7kYDXkO304o/maxresdefault.jpg - (Accessed 17/11/2015)