Mike Flanagan, a name synonymous with critically acclaimed horror series like The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor, continues his prolific collaboration with Stephen King's works. Having previously adapted King's Jessie and Doctor Sleep to film, and with Life of Chuck also under his belt, Flanagan now tackles King's debut novel, Carrie, for a new eight-episode Prime Video series.

Anticipation for the series, which is slated for release on October 7, 2026, has been building, and King himself has provided an early, glowing review. Breaking any potential embargo, the author took to his Threads account to share his thoughts, stating: "Mike Flanagan's version of CARRIE is brilliant. What it says about social media is shocking and true."

This brief but enthusiastic endorsement confirms previous indications that Flanagan's Carrie would transpose the classic tale of a telekinetic teenager to the mid-2020s, integrating contemporary technology and the pervasive influence of social media into its narrative. King's specific praise for the series' handling of this modern element suggests a timely and resonant adaptation that explores new facets of Carrie White's tragic story.

King is famously vocal about adaptations of his work, often offering candid opinions that sometimes go against popular consensus, as seen with his well-known criticisms of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. His positive reaction to Flanagan's take, therefore, carries significant weight, especially given his nuanced history with previous Carrie adaptations.

Reflecting on Brian De Palma's 1976 film, King expressed his admiration in a 2010 interview with Florida Weekly, saying he "loved" it. He noted that De Palma had "a point of view that makes perfect sense," crafting a film that was "a satire of high school life, and high school groups in general." However, his reaction to Kimberly Peirce's 2013 remake was considerably cooler. While he never directly reviewed it, King publicly questioned the necessity of its existence when De Palma's original was "great," indicating a lack of enthusiasm.

With King's seal of approval, Mike Flanagan's Carrie series appears poised to offer a fresh, relevant, and compelling reinterpretation of the enduring horror story. The entire series will be available for streaming on Prime Video starting October 7, 2026.