Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		0.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Carrie 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman June 29, 2024

If there haven't been already, there must be a doctoral thesis or two to be written on the enduring impact Carrie has had for so long in all of its many forms. I'd argue that, yes, probably to over simplify things but to still explain this phenomenon pretty easily, anyone who was ever picked on for any reason in the wild and wacky days of high school not only could connect with Carrie's, um, Misery (sorry, couldn't resist) but probably might also have wished to have similar telekinetic powers to take revenge on their tormentors. One way or the other, fans of this first feature film adaptation have had their choice of releases through the years, some of which I'll link to below, but this Arrow 4K release offers both secure technical merits and some really outstanding on disc supplements as well as Arrow's typical allotment of non disc swag.

Carrie has had numerous releases in both 1080 and 4K through the years. My own Carrie Blu-ray review of Shout! Factory's 1080 release appeared way back in 2016, but that was "newer" than Martin Liebman's Carrie Blu- ray review from 2008 (believe it or don't). Stephen Larson contributed a Carrie Blu-ray review of Arrow UK's 1080 release which may be of particular interest since it offers more 1080 screenshots from Arrow's version. Shout's relatively recent 4K version received a review here.

Carrie 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced from Arrow's standalone 1080 release (more 1080 screenshots are available in Stephen Larson's review of that release, linked to above). Per Arrow's standard operating procedure, this release does not include a 1080 presentation of the film, and so the 2K vide score above has intentionally been left blank.

Carrie is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Arrow Video with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. Arrow's insert booklet contains the following information on the restoration:

Carrie is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 with original mono and 5.1 sound.

The original camrea negative was scanned [in] 4K resolution and the film was restored in 4K and graded in HDR10 anbd Dolby Vision.

The master was made available from MGM via Park Circus.

The striking color of Carrie receives some of the most notable enhancements in this 4K UHD version, and the terrifying high school prom finale has even more noticeably saturated reds and purples than the already generally excellent 1080 renditions offered by either Arrow or Shout! Factory. As is discussed in some of the previous reviews, the use of hazy lighting and otherwise gauzy lensing that adds an undeniably soft look to the proceedings, at least interstitially (as in the opening mist strewn shower sequence). That said, a lot of the outdoor material in particular in this version really pops with authority not just with regard to palette, but typically excellent fine detail levels on everything from flyaway hair strands to fabrics on gym clothes. There are some noticeable variances in densities and clarity, as with every other version of Carrie I've seen and/or reviewed, and some momentary cooling can be spotted in scenes like the school office scene with Betty Buckley and William Katt at the circa 40 minute mark. Interestingly in terms of HDR / Dolby Vision and the differences in palette, some of the almost teal greens of the school interior are considerably more vibrant in this version. I'd argue that HDR/ Dolby Vision frankly don't add a ton of shadow detail in scenes like some of the interactions between Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie in the home. In going back and looking at the now ancient MGM 1080 version in particular, it has a decidedly more processed, digital appearance now when stacked up against either the Shout! releases or this more organic looking release from Arrow. Grain can be quite heavy at times, especially in the opening optically printed credits sequence, and it can certainly ebb and flow throughout the presentation, but it resolves without any major issues.

Carrie 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Both the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM Mono options here struck me as virtually interchangeable with the older Shout! release I reviewed years ago. As mentioned in both my previous review and Marty's now long ago review, surround activity is simply not as prevalent or overwhelming as in more contemporary features, but scoring certainly penetrates the side and rear channels and some of the busier moments, like the bookending traumas in the gym shower and high school auditorium also offer good opportunities for cacophonous spill to engage the surround channels. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.

Carrie 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This release repeats some of the supplements from the Shout! Factory release I reviewed, which were in turn ported over to Arrow's 1080 release which Stephen Larson reviewed. More information is available in both of those above referenced reviews.

• Audio Commentary with Lee Gambin and Alexandra Heller-Nicholas


• Comparing Carrie (HD; 20:43)


• Acting Carrie (HD; 42:42)


• More Acting Carrie (HD; 20:19)


• Visualizing Carrie: From Words to Images (HD; 41:33)


• Singing Carrie (HD; 6:24)


• Writing Carrie: An Interview with Screenwriter Lawrence Cohen (HD; 29:07)


• Shooting Carrie: An Interview with Director of Photography Mario Tosi (HD; 15:22)


• Cutting Carrie: An Interview with Editor Paul Hirsch (HD; 25:09)


• Casting Carrie: An Interview with Casting Director Harriet B. Helberg (HD; 16:03)


• Bucket of Blood (HD; 23:53)


• Horror's Hallowed Grounds (HD; 11:25)


• Alternate TV Opening (HD; 3:31)


• Still Gallery HD; (0:44)


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:06)


• TV Spots (HD; 3:11)


• Radio Spots (1:29)


• Carrie Trailer Reel (HD; 15:07)

Additionally, this is another limited edition from Arrow jam packed with goodies. In what almost becomes a Russian nesting doll situation, the first "layer" is an O ring that surrounds a slipbox. The nicely designed slipbox houses the keepcase, which has a reversible sleeve and which itself encloses six double sided collectors postcards. Arrow also provides another really nicely appointed insert booklet with a number of interesting essays and some archival writing, along with the traditional cast/crew and technical information pages. Finally a double sided fold out poster is included.

Carrie 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

You frankly probably (hopefully?) never got doused in pig blood even if you were teased relentlessly in high school, but even without that "baptism" (religious fanatic pun unavoidable), you can probably "relate" to Carrie's plight in some way. This 4K release from Arrow offers secure technical merits and some really outstanding on disc supplements, along with Arrow's typical generous supply of non disc swag and handsome packaging. Highly recommended.