The 2013 remake of Carrie, directed by Kimberly Peirce, reimagines Stephen King’s classic tale of teenage torment, telekinesis, and tragic revenge. Below is a comprehensive, SEO-friendly breakdown of the film, its themes, behind-the-scenes details, and everything an intrigued viewer might want to know.

Detailed Summary

The Tormented Beginning: Carrie White’s Isolated World

Carrie White (Chloë Grace Moretz) is a painfully shy high school girl raised by her hyper-religious mother, Margaret White (Julianne Moore). The film opens with Carrie experiencing her first period in the school locker room—completely unaware of what it is—leading to a cruel bullying incident where classmates mock and record her. This moment also triggers Carrie’s first uncontrolled telekinetic outburst, hinting at what’s to come.

The Spark of Hope: Sue Snell’s Guilt and Tommy’s Invitation

Shaken by the cruelty she witnessed, Sue Snell (Gabriella Wilde) persuades her boyfriend Tommy (Ansel Elgort) to take Carrie to prom as a gesture of remorse. Meanwhile, Carrie begins researching telekinesis and training her powers in secret, discovering she can now control what once frightened her. For the first time, she glimpses a future where she might have a normal life.

The Brewing Storm: Chris Hargensen’s Revenge Plot

Chris (Portia Doubleday), refusing to accept punishment for bullying, orchestrates a revenge scheme involving her boyfriend Billy Nolan (Alex Russell). Their plan: stage a humiliating prank at prom using pig’s blood. This is one of the film’s key tension-building arcs, contrasting Carrie’s rising hope with Chris’s growing cruelty.

The Prom Night Illusion: Bliss Before the Chaos

Prom night is depicted with warmth—Carrie and Tommy share genuine moments of connection. Carrie experiences acceptance and applause as she and Tommy are crowned prom king and queen. In this fleeting, almost dreamlike sequence, the film lets viewers imagine the life Carrie could’ve had.

Movie Ending

Here’s exactly how the 2013 Carrie concludes, covering every major detail:

The dream ends abruptly when Chris and Billy’s bucket of pig’s blood crashes down on Carrie. Tommy is knocked unconscious by the falling metal bucket and dies. As the crowd erupts in chaos—with some students laughing, others filming—Carrie’s emotional dam bursts. Her telekinetic power becomes unstoppable.

She seals the gymnasium doors, unleashing destruction. Water lines explode, wires spark, and the entire venue collapses into a fiery, electrocution-filled catastrophe. Only Sue Snell survives, as she was outside the gym when the slaughter began.

Carrie staggers home, drenched and traumatized. Margaret greets her with false sympathy before attempting to murder her in the name of “saving her soul.” Carrie kills her mother in self-defense using telekinesis, but is devastated afterward.

When Sue arrives to help, she finds the house collapsing as Carrie loses control. Carrie pushes Sue to safety, sensing Sue’s pregnancy, and then causes the house to cave in on herself and Margaret. The Whites die together beneath the rubble.

The film ends at Margaret’s grave, the headstone vandalized with “CARRIE WHITE BURNS IN HELL.” As Sue lays flowers, the ground shakes violently beneath her—an implication of Carrie’s lingering presence or Sue’s trauma.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Carrie (2013) has no post-credits or mid-credits scenes. The narrative closes entirely at the gravesite sequence.

Type of Movie

Carrie (2013) is a psychological horror film with strong dramatic and supernatural elements. It blends coming-of-age storytelling with intense tragedy and violent horror.

Cast

• Chloë Grace Moretz as Carrie White
• Julianne Moore as Margaret White
• Gabriella Wilde as Sue Snell
• Ansel Elgort as Tommy Ross
• Portia Doubleday as Chris Hargensen
• Judy Greer as Ms. Desjardin
• Alex Russell as Billy Nolan

Film Music and Composer

Score composed by Marco Beltrami, known for blending orchestral dread with emotional undertones. His music supports the film’s dual identity: part tragic character study, part supernatural horror.

Filming Locations

• Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Mississauga, Ontario

These locations provided suburban and school settings that mirror the film’s themes: an ordinary town masking extraordinary, dangerous secrets. Practical locations blend seamlessly with digital effects during the prom destruction sequence.

Awards and Nominations

While the film didn’t secure major awards, it received attention for:

• Saturn Award nomination for Best Horror Film
• Teen Choice nominations for performances

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Chloë Grace Moretz studied real bullying cases to portray Carrie authentically.
• Julianne Moore incorporated self-harming behaviors (like hair pulling) to reflect Margaret’s internal torment.
• Practical effects were heavily used during the prom scene before CGI enhancements.
• Kimberly Peirce pushed for a more sympathetic Carrie, leaning on the character’s humanity rather than monstrous transformation.
• Some telekinetic moments were performed using wire rigs rather than digital effects.

Inspirations and References

• Based on Stephen King’s 1974 novel Carrie.
• References to Brian De Palma’s 1976 film (split-screen visual choices, similar destruction choreography).
• Thematic inspirations include religious extremism, high school social hierarchies, and King’s own experiences with bullying.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

• A more graphic prom sequence was filmed, showing additional student deaths.
• An alternate ending where Carrie’s gravestone cracks open (like the original 1976 version) was shot but not used.
• A cut scene showed Carrie destroying more parts of the town before returning home.
• A longer version of Margaret’s death, including additional telekinetic attacks, was trimmed.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Stephen King’s novel is framed as a collection of reports, interviews, and academic accounts. Key differences:

• The book’s Carrie is more socially awkward, less conventionally pretty, and more psychologically volatile.
• The novel’s destruction extends beyond the school, leveling large parts of the town.
• Sue Snell survives in both versions, but her guilt and role in investigations are more pronounced in the book.
• Margaret is even more fanatically extreme in the novel, with additional backstory.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Carrie discovering her powers in the library.
• The infamous locker room bullying incident.
• Carrie floating in her bedroom while practicing telekinesis.
• Prom night blood-drop moment.
• Carrie’s confrontation and final embrace with her mother.

Iconic Quotes

• “They’re all gonna laugh at you!”
• “I just want to be normal.”
• “It’s not the Devil. It’s me.”
• “Know your place, sinner.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Carrie’s telekinetic gestures were subtly choreographed to mirror water movement, reflecting her emotional flow.
• The film’s opening uses tones from the 1976 soundtrack.
• Sue’s pregnancy is hinted early through framing choices before the reveal.
• Margaret’s hair-pulling mirrors religious self-flagellation practices.

Trivia

• Chloë Grace Moretz was only 16 when filming, making her one of the youngest actresses to play Carrie.
• Stephen King initially resisted the remake but later said Moretz was “a good choice.”
• The blood dumped on Carrie was a mix of corn syrup and food coloring but digitally augmented.
• The prom sequence took over 10 days to film.

Why Watch?

Because Carrie (2013) blends emotional tragedy with tightly crafted horror. The film offers a more modern, psychologically grounded interpretation of the classic story, anchored by strong performances—especially Julianne Moore’s intense, unnerving portrayal of Margaret White. If you’re drawn to character-driven horror that asks how cruelty shapes destiny, this remake is a worthwhile experience.

Director’s Other Works

• Boys Don’t Cry (1999)
• Stop-Loss (2008)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Carrie (1976)
• The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999)
• Jennifer’s Body (2009)
• Ginger Snaps (2000)
• The Craft (1996)