Mike Flanagan's Carrie Changes One Of Stephen King's Most Hateful Villains

Prime Video

One of the scariest monsters in Stephen King's bibliography is Margaret White, mother of the titular character in "Carrie." In King's book, Margaret is an abusive, mentally ill religious wacko who ends up helping push her telekinetic daughter over the edge (Carrie's bullying schoolmates contribute to this as well). Margaret was first brought to life in all her terrifying glory in Brian De Palma's 1976 film adaptation, where she was played by Piper Laurie in a performance so memorable that it earned Laurie an Oscar nomination (as well as high praise from her co-star Sissy Spacek).

Now Margaret White is back on the screen again in Mike Flanagan's Prime Video adaptation of "Carrie" (you can check out or review of the show here). But this is a very different Margaret White than we're used to. She's still an unpleasant and devoutly religious outsider who wants nothing to do with other people, but she's not the abusive monster we're used to. I won't go so far as to say this version of Margaret is likable, but she's definitely a bit more sympathetic.

Prime Video

The new Margaret White is portrayed by one of Mike Flanagan's frequent players, Samantha Sloyan. Sloyan has already played a cruel religious figure for Flanagan before, having turned in a delightfully detestable performance as Bev Keane in "Midnight Mass." It probably would've been very easy for Sloyan to more or less do here exactly what she did in "Midnight Mass" and cash a check. Instead, her approach is different.

While Margaret is still zealous and rude in the new "Carrie," we get the sense that she actually loves her daughter, played by Summer H. Howell. This is a trait that was definitely not present in King's book or in Laurie's scary performance. There, Margaret abuses and fears Carrie and locks her away in a closet.

While the new Margaret has no patience for the outside world, she seems to want the best for Carrie, especially when she discovers Carrie has telekinetic powers. "Margaret White has always been an abuser, defined by the fear and hatred she has for her daughter," Mike Flanagan told me during an interview for the show. "In ours, she fiercely loves Carrie and just doesn't know how to protect her." This approach may surprise purists who expected a more-faithful adaptation, but Flanagan and company were more interested in trying something different, and they deserve credit for that.