Few protagonists in the history of cinema took as much punishment from bullies as Sissy Spacek's title character in Brian de Palma's 1976 adaptation of Stephen King's novel Carrie. From the first frame of the movie, Carrie is repeatedly victimised by her fanatical, religious mother and the high school students who see her as a sheltered outcast. Her bullying culminates in the iconic prom sequence, which features Carrie experiencing her proudest moment as she is elected prom queen. Just as she finally feels as if she belongs, bullies Chris and Billy (John Travolta) douse her in a bucket of pig's blood. This moment of sheer humiliation causes Carrie to snap completely, unleashing her telekinetic powers in a fit of cold rage. She massacres many of the children that had tormented and bullied her, leaving a trail of destruction in her wake. The image of an other-worldly Sissy Spacek covered in blood as she throws objects around at will is, justifiably, one of the most enduring images in the history of horror cinema. Spacek's performance and the huge pay-off of the storyline contribute to making Carrie the ultimate example of a movie character who gives their bullies exactly what is coming to them.
Freelance film journalist and fan of professional wrestling. Usually found in a darkened screening room looking for an aisle seat and telling people to put away their mobile phones. Also known to do a bit of stand-up comedy, so I'm used to the occasional heckle.
