With Mike Flanagan behind the new interpretation, however, there may be more excitement than trepidation — especially now that first reactions have started to drop. Mike Flanagan is working his adaptation magic once again. Summer H. Howell is heartbreakingly great as Carrie. Regular Mike Flanagan player Samantha Sloyan plays Carrie’s mother, which to me feels like possibly the easiest casting decision ever made. Summer H. Howell is PHENOMENAL.