The Rage: Carrie 2 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

The Rage: Carrie 2 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 7, 2025

An adaptation of a book by Stephen King, 1976’s “Carrie” turned horror activity and teen misery into a tale of bullying and revenge. The release launched many acting careers, including star Sissy Spacek, and it elevated director Brian De Palma’s status in the industry, giving him a needed hit to maintain professional momentum. The picture, while containing a stinger ending, was a complete story, not requiring a follow-up, but that’s never stopped Hollywood before, and they return to the brand name in 1999’s “The Rage: Carrie 2,” which tries hard to be a sequel to the 1976 endeavor, but transforms into more of a remake. Director Katt Shea (“Stripped to Kill”) and screenwriter Rafael Moreu (“Hackers”) are tasked with reviving the “Carrie” way, but it’s mostly a losing proposition, and “The Rage: Carrie 2” visibly struggles to balance a story of high school hell and bloody horror, coming off too silly as the production struggles to maintain the interest of its target demographic.

Rachel (Emily Bergl) has endured a rough childhood, witnessing her mother, Barbara (J. Smith-Cameron), experience a psychotic break, sent to Arkham Asylum for care. Raised by hostile foster parents, Rachel struggles with her status as an outcast at high school, enjoying a friendship with Lisa (Mena Suvari), who’s recently lost her virginity. However, on the day where the pair are planning to discuss the event, Lisa suddenly commits suicide, leaving Rachel devastated and looking for reasons why this horrible event occurred. Offering help is guidance counselor Sue (Amy Irving), who recognizes familiar traits and telekinetic powers in Rachel after dealing with the wrath of Carrie 20 years prior, setting out to find the truth about the student’s biological parents. Rachel remains in shock, but she’s warmed by attention from Jesse (Jason London), a sensitive school jock caught up in hostile plans conceived by his football teammates, who have developed a points system for sexual activity, entertaining themselves through cruelty. Eric (Zachary Ty Bryan) is responsible for inspiring Lisa’s death, exposing Rachel to the harshness of bullying as she starts to trust Jesse, who wants a relationship with a young woman realizing she’s capable of tremendous violence.

While “The Rage: Carrie 2” doesn’t work dramatically, the picture might be the most ‘90s film of the decade. The opening high school experience for Rachel involves her walking past a hacky sack game and super soaker battles while pop punk plays on the soundtrack and extras are fitted with JNCO jeans. Heck, even two members of the “American Pie” cast are present here (Suvari and Eddie Kaye Thomas), and images of Marilyn Manson are a common sight. The era is proudly represented in the feature, along with male hostility, as Moreu uses real world horrors involving sexual gamesmanship and high school students to inspire Jesse’s crew of jock monsters, as leader Mark (Dylan Bruno) oversees a scorebook recording carnal conquests. It’s a potent addition to “The Rage: Carrie 2,” giving Rachel a perfectly understandable ignition point for her powers, which start to return to her after Lisa’s horrible death.

The writing doesn’t fully pursue Mark’s maliciousness, splitting off into various directions, including Sue’s pursuit of the truth, heading to Arkham to visit Barbara and learn more about Rachel’s past. And there’s the main character’s experience with Jesse, who’s clearly identified as a monster, participating in sex games, but he softens around Rachel, losing interest in football bro power plays. Even Eric’s story is followed to some degree, putting the teen in trouble with the law over Lisa’s demise, which develops into an influential parents situation in town. There’s a lot going on in “The Rage: Carrie 2,” but the production is ultimately headed to a grand finale of terror, putting Rachel’s abilities into action against her horrible classmates. Everything that’s interesting about the sequel is eventually stripped away to line up with the original picture, including bullies buttering up Rachel, giving her a false sense of confidence to sweeten their viciousness, making room for public humiliation.

The Rage: Carrie 2 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"The Rage: Carrie 2" was originally issued on Blu-ray by Shout Factory in 2015, and now returns with a new UHD release from Vinegar Syndrome, listed as "presented in Dolby Vision HDR and newly scanned and restored from its 35mm original camera negative." Detail is sharp throughout the viewing experience, examining textured skin particulars on the cast, who range in age. More violent activity also delivers roughness as gory actions break out. Interiors around living spaces and school rooms are dimensional, also open for frame inspection with decorative additions. Exteriors are deep, examining football action and school property interactions. Color is clear, securing period hues on clothing, delivering bright primaries. Horror events maintain darker moodiness with moonlight glow. Bloody sights remain sharply red, and the house party finale maintains festive hues and broad lighting. Firey happenings are distinct, along with greenery. Skin tones are mostly normal, with some redness creeping up periodically. Blacks are deep, preserving evening activity and shadowy events. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

The Rage: Carrie 2 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix is the default choice for "The Rage: Carrie 2," and it delivers clear dialogue exchanges, securing performance choices and balancing surges in anger, especially from the males in the feature. Scoring supports with sharp instrumentation, exploring harder moments of suspense and delicate emotional scenes. Soundtrack selections maintain crisp vocals. Surrounds are very active with telekinetic freakouts, following movement around rooms for a more immersive listening event. Sound effects are distinct. Low-end isn't too responsive, but some acts of aggression register as intended. A 2.0 DTS-HD MA track is also included, and provides a fresh understanding of screen activity.

The Rage: Carrie 2 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features director Katt Shea.

• Commentary #2 features director Katt Shea and cinematographer Donald M. Morgan, moderated by David DeCoteau.

• Deleted Scenes (9:58, SD) are offered with an introduction from director Katt Shea, who explores the reasons why moments are cut and shares her frustration with the process at times. Scenes are titled "Rachel and Mom at Mental Hospital," "Are You a Dawg," and "Bowling and Dinner Date." They can be viewed with optional commentary from Shea.

• Alternate Ending (1:11, SD) is a short clip of a snake-based finale for "The Rage: Carrie 2" that test audiences understandably rejected. Various stages of CGI development are also presented.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:16, SD) is included.

The Rage: Carrie 2 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Rage: Carrie 2" loses a lot in its final act, which devolves into bloody violence Shea at least tries to make exciting, despite the familiarity of it all. Reviving Carrie's fury doesn't do the sequel any favors, but the whole endeavor is on the awkward side, struggling with underwhelming performances and screenwriting. It was a troubled production (director Robert Mandel left the project weeks into the shoot), and such stress shows throughout the viewing experience, watching the feature's original intent to study the viciousness of high school boys gradually get turned into a recycling of "Carrie," not a thoughtful continuation.