Earlier this month I wrote about Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return and had too few positive things to say. This is kind of the way sequels to Stephen King adaptations usually go. So, it pleases me to tell you that today’s review is about a non-sequel to a Stephen King adaptation.
The Rage: Carrie 2 is a 1999 horror film directed by Katt Shea that originated as an independent horror film called The Curse. The story is about a telekinetic teen who seeks vengeance after the loss of her only friend. After turbulent development, The Curse lost its original director and risked getting canceled altogether, but it got a second chance when Katt Shea learned how many people were about to lose their jobs. In what I consider to be a heroic move, she took over as director, did two weeks of re-shoots, morphed the project into a releasable title, and dropped one of the better Stephen King follow ups to date.
It’s true. This film had nothing to do with Carrie until it needed to be retooled. If you go into this film remembering that it started with its own agenda, you can look at it in a much more favorable light. Removing the Carrie elements, The Rage presents a Jean Grey-like protagonist who’s telekinesis is set off by her emotions. Had a film called “The Curse” come out at the time, with this very premise, it would have been enjoyable all on its own.
However, anyone who’s actually looking for a Stephen King sequel won’t be disappointed. The film has one returning character in Sue Snell, the sole survivor of Carrie’s original rampage. Actress Amy Irving reprises her role and helps to expand upon the initial movie’s legacy. Carrie, unfortunately, doesn’t return outside of flashbacks that occasionally cut to scenes from the first film. Even these flashbacks are lucky to be included thanks to the efforts of Katt Shea. When she asked Carrie actress, Sissy Spacek, if using her likeness would be okay, she was originally told no. Shea put the footage in the film and showed Spacek, who then agreed that they were a good addition. Katt Shea not only kept the original crew of The Curse employed, but she successfully got the blessing of Carrie herself for the project.
The Rage: Carrie 2 exists against all odds and I’m thankful for it. We follow Rachel, Carrie’s half-sister, who grows up in foster care after the incidents of the first movie tear any concept of a home life apart. As I said earlier, her motives stem from the passing of her friend and the subsequent harassment she receives from the school jocks who proceed to threaten her into compliance. A slow burn that pays off.
The film is a product of its time, but in a positive way. It opens feeling like the Halloween films from that decade, and pleases horror fans with references to such films as Scream. Katt made sure that the movie wasn’t too rushed. It takes its time introducing you to our super powered protagonist and gives you all you need in order to hate the antagonists enough to find joy when Rachel’s wrath reaches them. Only slowing down during the second act, The Rage picks up the pace for an extravagant finale that gushes with horror revenge charm. Listening to the audio commentary is proof that Shea enjoyed her time making the movie.
Katt Shea had previously worked in horror, starring as Patsy Doyle in 1986’s Psycho III and directing 1989’s Vampire sleeper, Dance of the Damned. She would do both for The Rage: Carrie 2. Not only did she direct the film, but she appears as a Deputy D.A. who aims to press charges on one of the scumbag jocks. Most of her other projects fall under the crime thriller genre, and elements of that stand out in The Rage. She doesn’t overwhelm the viewer with a lot of telekinetic events until it’s necessary, choosing instead to focus on character development and plot progression in a similar fashion to the first film. One could be forgiven if they forgot this was a horror film while watching it. With a tone that feels kind of like a tense take on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, it isn’t until the film reaches its final act that viewers are promptly reminded… This is a Carrie film, and there will be blood. A gratuitous amount of it.
Katt Shea tackles the topics of loss, revenge, and tragedy in a very grungy, 90’s, fashion. Sadly, The Rage: Carrie 2 often goes overlooked as nothing more than an unnecessary Stephen King sequel. I’ll argue that this sequel deserves to stand with films like Jennifer’s Body, or Ginger Snaps, as a horror fantasy featuring female empowerment. Which is something Katt Shea brought into the film from her earlier work with thrillers.
Will it stand out among every horror film out there? No. But does Katt Shea’s work on a canceled-then-resurrected horror film from the 90’s deserve your attention for at least one viewing? There’s no doubt in my mind. This movie is worth a visit, especially if you can find a physical copy with all the bonus features. Katt Shea is a gem, and I’ll gladly revisit her bonus features the next time I dive into The Rage: Carrie 2. And yes, I assure you, there will be a next time.
