This is not a horror movie, but one that should not missed.

Rating: 8/10 (4 July 2014)

I find it intriguing that this is quite often put in to the category of a horror film. I saw the movie nearly 40 years after it came out and, surprisingly, enjoyed it very much. This may be a disappointment to those who watch it, expecting a horror movie. It is not.
There is no horror aspect in the movie at all, except perhaps for the contrived religious leanings of Carrie's mother. Carrie herself is a victim of her mother's unrealistic faith as well as a subject of her college mate's cruel pranks. Socially isolated and frequently ridiculed by most, except for a few handful who sympathize with her, Carrie hones her telekinetic skills which she initially uses to defend herself and ultimately to exact revenge on her college mates when she is pushed to her limits. Through the length of the movie, you tend to like Carrie for the girl she is, trying desperately to fit in, to belong and you sense the hurt she feels at being rejected or ridiculed. Even as she exacts revenge, it is easier to support her than to condemn her for her actions.
Sissy Spacek, as Carrie, did carry the movie entirely on her shoulders and she did a fantastic job of it. From putting on Vaseline on her hair at the auditions for this role to getting her nomination for Academy Awards, this movie belonged to Sissy all the way and she will always be remembered for it.
Overall a great movie, and sure not one to be missed. It has everything in it to be a cult classic.