High school is hell — At least it is in Stephen King’s “Carrie.” 

Horror king Mike Flanagan’s new reboot is an engrossing update of the classic story for the Gen-Z era. It honors the original, while tweaking enough details to make it fresh.  

Premiering Oct. 7 on Prime Video, “Carrie” is helmed by “The Haunting of Hill House” creator, with King on board as executive producer.

Summer H. Howell is the latest version of Stephen King’s famous Carrie in “Carrie.” Robert Falconer/PrimeMike Flanagan’s update of “Carrie” for the Gen-Z era co-stars Siena Agudong as Sue and Joel Oulette as Tommy (pictured). Robert Falconer/Prime

The basic plot is the story we’re all familiar with. 

Carrie White (Summer H. Howell) is a teen girl who grew up in seclusion, raised by her strict mother, Margaret (Samantha Sloyan). When she attends high school for the first time, the sheltered girl struggles to navigate social cues. Bullying ensues, and her telekinetic abilities start acting up. 

The whole thing culminates in a prom that doesn’t go well – to say the least. 

Sissy Spacek starred in the 1976 film “Carrie.” Everett Collection / Everett ColThe 1976 “Carrie” (pictured) made the bloody prom scene horror movie history. Courtesy Everett Collection

None of that is a spoiler, since “Carrie” has been a best seller since 1974, and the movie starring Sissy Spacek came out in 1976. (It also got a swiftly forgotten 2013 remake starring  Chloë Grace Moretz and Julianne Moore).

The bloody prom scene in “Carrie” is as iconic in pop culture history as the “Psycho” shower scene. 

Wisely, the show acknowledges it right out of the gate and doesn’t pretend the audience is ignorant about what the big climax is. 

Carrie’s classmates (pictured in a scene from “Carrie”) have more modern ways to bully. Courtesy of Prime“Carrie” is the timeless story of a sheltered girl and her paranoid mother (pictured with Howell and Sloyan). Robert Falconer/Prime

The move could have made the show predictable, but instead, it uses our knowledge to make the journey to that destination surprising and full of mounting tension. 

“Carrie’s” scaffolding is familiar, but the structure and decor on top are shiny and new as the series gets a contemporary setting with social media, online message boards, and a moody Lana Del Rey soundtrack. 

Whereas other “Carrie” adaptations have been 2-hour movies, the “Fall of the House of Usher” creator uses the show’s nearly 8 hours to expand the scope of this world and flesh out the side characters like Sue Snell (Siena Agudong) and mean girl Chris Hargensen (Alison Thornton). 

Flanagan’s “Carrie” humanizes mean girl Chris, seen above, played by Alison Thornton. Robert Falconer/Prime“Carrie” acknowledges that the audience knows the big climax, and uses it to build tension. (Howell pictured in the series.) Robert Falconer/Prime

Chris isn’t redeemed, but she gets more depth and humanity than past versions of “Carrie” have afforded her. The same can be said for Carrie’s mother. 

We also spend a lot of time with various parents and school staffers, like Matthew Lillard, who shines as the increasingly harried principal.

Some of the additions might be controversial to fans of the original, such as new character Emaline (Thalia Dudek), whose role is the biggest and shakiest change.

The new “Carrie” also focuses on parents and teachers, like Matthew Lillard as the principal (pictured). Robert Falconer/PrimeFor Flanagan fans, “Carrie” lands solidly in the middle of his work (pictured with Howell and Sloyan). Liane Hentscher/ Prime

For fans of Flanagan’s work, “Carrie” lands solidly in the middle. It may be underwhelming if you want the Gothic atmosphere and chills of “Hill House” and “Midnight Mass,” but it’s better than “The Haunting of Bly Manor” and “The Midnight Club.”

It’s most similar to “The Fall of the House of Usher,” in the sense that it shows a deep understanding of the source material, while spinning it in some different directions.

“Carrie” is a compelling, provocative modern take on the timeless tale of bullying, empathy, isolation, and revenge. 

Flanagan’s “Carrie” makes some changes to the source material, but also understands it (pictured with Sloyan). Robert Falconer/PrimeFlanagan’s “Carrie” (pictured with Arthur Conti and Thornton) isn’t just a nostalgia cash-grab, it has a lot to say. Robert Falconer/Prime

There are too many adaptations and remakes that don’t say much beyond, “Remember this? Don’t you want to throw your money at a new version?” 

This show isn’t just a nostalgia cash-grab — It has a lot to say.

“Carrie” premieres October 7 on Prime Video.