Carrie review: an emotional, modern retelling with changes that will certainly divide fans

Prime Video' s Carrie has quickly shot to the number one spot on the streaming service, as it leads this week's streaming recommendations .

The anticipated adaptation of Stephen King's novel is finally here, and there's a lot to unpack.

Series creator Mike Flanagan has impressed horror fans over the years, especially with his Netflix shows including The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass .

His new version of Carrie marks his sixth adaptation of King's works, following movies including Gerald's Game and Doctor Sleep .

With that in mind, we've all been interested to see how Flanagan handled Carrie , King's first story.

I can confidently say I enjoyed the series, but there are some differences from it here that will cause division.

The eight-episode season follows Carrie White (Summer H.

Howell) after her father dies in a tragic accident, prompting authorities to send her to a public school for the first time whilst her mother Margaret (Samantha Sloyan), re-enters the workforce.

Attending a new school is daunting for anyone, but Carrie knows very little of the outside world, after being raised by overbearing religious parents and schooled at home.

Her struggle to adjust among other teens is the catalyst for her story, after she is baffled by everyday things such as a school shooting drill and getting her first period, both of which scare her to the point she fears as though she is about to die.

Carrie, in my opinion, is one of Stephen King's most likable protagonists.

Howell portrays her brilliantly, focusing on her compassion for others and her desperate need to fit in, trying to relate to her fellow students even though she has never used a computer, nor does she have a cellphone.

In the eyes of the school she is "weird", and the perfect target for bullying.

Flanagan's decision to set the story in a modern world resonated with me, and I liked this change.