Carrie review – the teenage hell-raiser’s glorious return couldn’t come at a better time

This witty, smart remake takes bullying and telekinetic violence to new extremes. Even the shower scene is more excruciating than the original The automatic response to the news that a stone-cold classic of any genre is to be remade is “Why? ” In an accompanying letter to critics, the creator of the new TV series Carrie, Mike Flanagan, promises us that this was the first question he asked himself too when he was approached about the project.

Why mess with perfection – in this case, the Brian De Palma horror film, based on and nearly eclipsing in terms of cultural currency Stephen King’s debut novel about a telekinetic teen, that has been gloriously shocking audiences for half a century? But it’s a far less necessary question than usual. Why remake Carrie, a story of teenage bullying, alienation and the vengeful violence it can fuel, for the modern age? Babe, look around! We’ve got the internet…