10 Reasons "Carrie" Needs to be Your Favorite Horror Movie

‘Tis the spookiest of seasons, and if you’re looking for a way to celebrate this Friday, look no further than Carrie. That’s right, the pig’s blood dumpee, prom destroying, period-having Carrie White you know and love, or need to get to know and love right now if you don’t already. So why is Carrie the amazing, never-ending, constantly crowd pleasing sensation it's become over the years? Well, if you spend your time watching every available version repeatedly like we do then you know exactly why, and you want to shout it at the world. Here are our top 10 reasons you should make this October 31st a most Happy Carrie-ween!

10. Stephen King Knows How to Make an Entrance: Stephen King introduced himself to the literary world with a first novel so memorable, iconic, and well-loved that he ensured the world would know not only Carrie's name but her creator's as well. We're not sure we want too much insight into the mind that created the little telekinetic teen that could, who also penned The Shining, Misery and over 50 other novels, but we're beyond glad that these books exist. Just so long as we can leave the light on after reading them. And maybe never go near pigs. Or dances. Or high schools.

9. People can’t stop remaking it: Since its creation in 1974, Carrie has been made into a 2 feature films, one made-for-TV-movie, a failed 1988 musical, a not-so failed 2012 musical revival that is currently being performed worldwide, Dave Grohl's ice bucket challenge, and there’s even a sequel, The Rage: Carrie 2, which is completely unnecessary but amazing (though we use that word 'amazing' loosely). Due to the amount of Carrie material out there in the world, there are also now an incredible amount of interpretations, ranging from, “Well, I guess we’re going to ignore that Sue Snell pregnancy thing from the book,” to “Um, I guess Carrie's gonna murder the gym teacher this time,” to “We changed literally the entire ending, and while it’s a fascinating choice it’s enraging,” (here’s looking at you, TV remake). Who knows what could happen in the next remake?! It's a total mystery!

8. It's All About the Ladies: From the terrifying Margaret White to conniving Chris Hargensen, blandly sweet Sue Snell to titular Carrie herself, the movers and shakers of this screamfest are all women. Sure, there are boys around but they are generally doing the bidding of their female partners. Billy Nolan only commits swine-icide after Chris persuades him to and Sue's idea that good guy Tommy Ross take Carrie to prom may be a front runner for our “worst idea ever” award but is entirely her own. Even the Vice Principal is only seen in passing as a disinterested fool incapable of learning names (Cassie White? Get with the picture, man). This show is definitely run by the women, unless of course you wish to debate the involvement of Jesus himself in Carrie's upbringing. And you can.

7. It’s pretty damn gay: There are the obvious references to lesbianism in Carrie, such as Carrie’s mom accusing her of getting a sinful period because she's been looking at girls in the locker room. There's also the entire character of Mrs. Desjardin (slash Collins slash Gardner, depending on which version you’re watching), the gym teacher everyone thinks is a lesbian. But then there’s Sue Snell. The only reason Sue Snell isn't at that fateful prom is because she makes her boyfriend Tommy go with Carrie instead as an apology for Tampongate, which we've already mentioned was sadly the worst attempt at trying to be nice. Now, after prom and Sue’s entire social life is abruptly cut short, her first thought is to check to see if Carrie is okay. Carrie. Because true love knows no bounds, even when true love is a murderous telekinetic. In the musical, Sue even sings a love song to Carrie when she realizes just how hurt the girl was the by having tampons thrown at her face (it’s called “Once You See” and it’s beautiful and unavoidably rather gay). Even more than that, in the musical when Sue goes to visit a just about stabbed-to-death Carrie at her house post-prom, she sings her to death with the love same song she once sang her boyfriend. Is Sue Snell this gay in every version of Carrie? Not exactly, but hell, we’ll take it where we can get it.

6. Some of the Costumes are Improved by Blood: The blood-soaked horror of Carrie never goes out of style, but 1970s cinematic teen fashion is an added joy of the first adaptation. It's a testament to the storytelling skill that we can become so engrossed in Carrie's plight with all those tight gym shirts, short shorts and high socks around. Jock with a softer side Tommy Ross's plentiful blonde curls are glorious even before he dons his blue suit for prom, but it's supporting mean girl Norma's ever-present hat and braids that we will never get enough of. If seeing prom dresses of decades past destroyed by blood, fire and telekinesis isn't your style the forgettable sequel The Rage: Carrie 2 features Mena Suvari in pitch perfect '90s goth attire and last year's sequel offers a version of reformed bully with a heart of gold Sue Snell with the longest legs and a modern take on the shortest shorts. Who knew Carrie's decision to eternally stick with baggy sweaters and tragic skirts might actually make her the most stylin' person in town?

5. The Carrie and Margaret White duo is epic: After many lengthy discussions, it’s pretty easy to agree the Piper Laurie/Sissy Spacek mom n’ daughter combo is hard to beat. Amazing top-notch actresses having a religious/mind-powered knife fight in a 1970s horror film? It’s like Halloween and Christmas rolled into one! But Chloe Grace Moretz and Julianne Moore as the White Family in last year’s remake certainly managed a fantastic level of Carrie-style Hollywood royalty. Betty Buckley gets a special award for playing Miss Collins in the original film and Margaret White in the 1988 musical. Additionally, when you’re on the go and need a Carrie experience nothing can compete with the 2012 cast album where Marin Mazzie and Molly Ranson bring Carrie to a new level of awesome by taking terrifying movie moments and making them terrifying songs you can jam to on your iPod. But while there’s something beatifully unique about all Carrie/Margaret teams, at the end of the day God made Eve from Adam’s rib and Eve was weak. Now go to your prayer closet.

4. There’s a freaking musical: Yes, we seem to be dwelling on the fact that there’s a musical, but there’s a damn musical and we've got to talk about it! After all, how many horror-inspired musicals are so appreciated (whatever the reason) that they’re able to stay relevant for a 20+ years of reworking until they eventually become regionally performed masterpieces? Also, did we mention how gay this show is? Yes, yes we did. And we won’t stop. Here's Sue Snell and the cast of Carrie to prove once more that angst is better when you are singing about it.

3. It's got issues: Like all great horror, Carrie plays on everyday fears and issues by escalating them to terrifying proportions. How did puberty go for you? Fine? Great! Not so well? Did your first period involve other girls throwing tampons at you while screaming “plug it up”? If so, you have our sympathies and maybe should stay away from Carrie-related media. If not, the introduction of teenage Carrie will both horrify you and make you feel better about your awkward years. Bullying is a fear everyone has at school but not only does this story take that to the extreme, there's also religious fanaticism and child abuse to make for a solid night of entertainment. Of course we'll understand if this horror is too real and you decide to stay in your prayer closet instead.

2. Because 1970s Horror is Crazy: The 1976 Brian DePalma directed Carrie opens at full speed, confronting viewers with a naked, bloody nightmare in its opening minutes and culminates in a no-holds-barred massacre of a climax. Recent remakes seem anemic, both figuratively and literally, by comparison with more survivors, (sacrilegiously including Carrie herself in the 2002 made-for-television outing that we've spoiled just now to save you the time of watching), less nudity, and less impact. The film and book are perfect examples of the decade which brought a new wave of horror including The Exorcist, The Omen, and Halloween. Many of these films brought the horror home with family members and classmates rather than unknown monsters getting their murder on. Carrie forces the audience to root for the underdog victim of grotesque bullying before the tables turn and we feel as lost as Carrie herself when her destructive powers are released on the world around her. Seeing this film for the first time is a jarring, unnerving experience in the best way, and we wish we could do it over and over again.

1. Prom + Pig's Blood = Horror History: The look on Sissy Spacek's face when the pig's blood hits the fan (so to speak) will be etched into horror history for the rest of time and rightfully so. Even if you've never heard of Carrie in your life (and those people exist, because they often question our life choices on Facebook), you're familiar with the look on that poor girl's face as blood drips down her handmade prom dress and onto her dirty pillows. The pig's blood debacle is not only an act of bullying that destroys a town; it's now an act that's causing many theater companies across the world to decide if it’s worth rigging an actual bucket of blood over some unfortunate actress’ head or if they should stick to a lighting affect. Pro-tip: the actual bucket of blood is the way to go. But not in real life. Definitely not in real life. Have we taught you nothing?!