Samantha Sloyan on Mike Flanagan: 'He writes fully-rounded, imperfect people'
Synopsis
On her seventh project with Mike Flanagan, Samantha Sloyan says the director’s secret is simple: he writes recognisably imperfect human beings. As her performance in 'Carrie' draws acclaim, her praise reveals what makes Flanagan’s horror resonate — a relentless search for light even in the darkest material.
Key Takeaways
Samantha Sloyan praised director Mike Flanagan for writing ‘fully-rounded, imperfect’ human characters in the new miniseries 'Carrie' . 'Carrie' is Sloyan’s seventh project with Flanagan, a collaboration she calls consistently joyful.
Sloyan described Flanagan and author Stephen King as ‘kindred spirits’ in their creative outlook.
Flanagan’s adaptation updates the story for the social-media era, incorporating cyberbullying and modern teenage pressures.
The series goes deeper into character psychology than earlier adaptations, including Brian De Palma’s 1976 film .
The miniseries is currently streaming on Prime Video .
Hollywood actress Samantha Sloyan has praised director Mike Flanagan for his distinctive approach to character writing, saying he crafts deeply human, flawed individuals that audiences can genuinely recognise themselves in. Sloyan, who is receiving widespread acclaim for her performance in the recently released streaming miniseries 'Carrie', shared her thoughts during a promotional conversation alongside co-actress Summer H. Howell.
What Sloyan Said About Flanagan's Writing
“I keep saying that I feel like he just writes people that we recognise,” Sloyan said. “He writes fully-rounded human beings that are imperfect and that kind of allows us to let them in and see ourselves in that.” She also highlighted the director’s underlying optimism, noting, “He comes from such a place of real hope for the world. So even though he’s dealing with these dark subjects, it’s always like aiming towards a light place. And I really appreciate that in him, because I feel like we could use a lot more of that.”
A Seventh Collaboration and a 'Kindred Spirit' Dynamic
'Carrie' marks Sloyan’s seventh project with Flanagan, a creative partnership she describes as consistently rewarding. She has also spoken about the creative alignment between Flanagan and the source material’s author, Stephen King, saying the two are “so kindred spirits in so many ways.” King’s 1974 eponymous novel forms the basis of the new series, which Flanagan has updated for the social-media era.
What the 'Carrie' Series Covers
The miniseries follows socially isolated teenager Carrie as she navigates high school, bullying, the oppressive influence of her mother Margaret, and the emergence of her telekinetic abilities. Flanagan’s adaptation incorporates contemporary themes including cyberbullying, online humiliation, and the compounded pressures of modern adolescence. The series expands significantly on earlier adaptations, delving deeper into the psychological underpinnings of cruelty, victimhood, and revenge.
How It Compares to Earlier Adaptations
While director Brian De Palma’s 1976 film remains the most iconic screen version of the story, the miniseries format affords considerably more space to develop characters and explore thematic complexity. Critics have noted that this expanded canvas allows Flanagan to interrogate the social conditions that breed both the bully and the bullied — something a two-hour film could only gesture toward.
Where to Watch
The series is currently available to stream on Prime Video. With strong early audience response and Sloyan’s performance drawing particular attention, the series is shaping up as one of the more talked-about horror releases of the season.
Point of View
Guilt, and human failure than in jump scares. The Stephen King connection is telling; King himself has long argued his horror is fundamentally about people under pressure, not monsters. Whether the 'Carrie' series can match the cultural imprint of De Palma’s film is another question, but Flanagan is arguably the only filmmaker working today whose sensibility is genuinely equipped for the attempt.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new 'Carrie' miniseries about?
The 'Carrie' miniseries follows socially isolated teenager Carrie as she deals with high school bullying, her oppressive mother Margaret, and the emergence of her telekinetic powers. Director Mike Flanagan updates Stephen King’s story for the social-media era, weaving in cyberbullying and modern adolescent pressures.
Where can I watch the 'Carrie' miniseries?
The series is currently available to stream on Prime Video. It was released recently and has been receiving strong audience and critical response.
Who is Samantha Sloyan and what is her role in 'Carrie'?
Samantha Sloyan is a Hollywood actress best known for her previous collaborations with director Mike Flanagan, including 'The Haunting of Hill House' and 'Midnight Mass'. She stars in the new 'Carrie' miniseries and has been widely praised for her performance.
How does the 'Carrie' series differ from the 1976 film?
Unlike Brian De Palma’s iconic 1976 film, the miniseries format gives the story considerably more room to explore character psychology, the roots of cruelty, and the social dynamics of victimhood. Flanagan also updates the narrative to include contemporary issues such as cyberbullying and online humiliation.
How many times has Samantha Sloyan worked with Mike Flanagan?
‘Carrie’ is Samantha Sloyan’s seventh project with director Mike Flanagan. She has described their collaboration as consistently joyful and praised his ability to write recognisably human, imperfect characters.
