Carrie (Kimberly Peirce, 2013, USA)

Carrie (2013) is the latest iteration of Stephen King's 1974 novel - this time for Gen Z. Starring Chloe Grace Moretz in the title role, this adaptation has a strong pedigree compared to the last two Carrie films. Kimberly Peirce, director of the 1999 indie breakout Boys Don't Cry, is in the director's chair. We also have Julianne Moore taking on the role of Margaret White. Though the original screenwriter Lawrence D. Cohen is credited here, it seems much of the effort was on the part of Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, known for his work on teen properties like Riverdale. 

Carrie is noteworthy for basically following the formula of the original story down to the last note. Despite being set in the present, the film hardly strays from the source material - the film is even set in Maine. While we are treated to an intro where Margaret White gives birth to Carrie, all the beats of the original film are present here. There is the introduction of some cyberbullying (this time the infamous shower scene is captured on film and played back to torment Carrie), but overall the film has not done much to update the events here. 

The 2013 reboot begs the question of why this property needed to be rebooted in the first place. It is a perfectly serviceable adaptation, but it doesn't seem to do much to earn its place as a strong adaptation. Perhaps the only reason the film exists is to cater to an audience who regard Brian De Palma's original film as too old. While De Palma's original played more like a Hitchcockian thriller, this film plays more to Peirce's dramatic roots. This is not the worst thing in the world, but overall it leaves a lot to be desired - especially since Moretz pales in comparison to Sissy Spacek.

5/10