Mike Flanagan’s Carrie is not just a horror reboot. It’s a mood, and the music is a big reason why. The Prime Video series drops Stephen King’s classic into a world of social media and cyberbullying, and the soundtrack carries the emotion. Flanagan said Haute & Freddy “defined the series for us.” Here are the five best songs, ranked. Spoilers ahead.
5. “Femme Hysteria” by Haute & Freddy
An ’80s dance track in a horror series sounds like a risky pick, and it lands perfectly. Haute & Freddy are an alternative-pop duo from Los Angeles. Their song turns female rage and witch-hunt history into a pop anthem. It blasts from Chris Hargensen’s car in episode one, “First Period,” and returns in episode three, “Social Studies,” as the narration traces the history of women with telekinetic power.
4. “In the Bleak Midwinter” by Wolf Alice
The source material is Christina Rossetti’s 1872 poem, later set to music as a classic English Christmas carol. Wolf Alice’s version is among the show’s notable needle drops. Its dreamy, shoegaze-leaning sound scores Carrie’s first day at school after a lifetime of homeschooling. It feels like being born into a world that wasn’t built for her.
3. “The Scythe” by The Last Dinner Party
Episode four, “Dramatic Arts,” ends with a muddy, broken Carrie coming home. The London baroque-pop band’s track starts quiet and swells into a full-volume chorus over the credits. It’s the moment she hits rock bottom, and the song’s arc from falling apart to rebuilding points straight at what comes next.
2. “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd” by Lana Del Rey
The title track of Lana’s 2023 album plays over the prom-prep montage in episode seven, “Romantic Literature.” Decorations go up, prom court votes are cast, and Carrie sews her dress. It all looks hopeful, but Lana’s voice adds dread. Flanagan has said the team rewrote the show around this song. It’s the calm before the storm.
1. “Shy Girl” by Haute & Freddy
This is the series’ theme. A stripped-down version underscores key emotional moments, and the full track arrives in the finale, “AP Physics.” Flanagan reportedly rewrote the finale to make room for it. Carrie and her imaginary friend Emmaline dance while the town burns, an upbeat, joyful scene that’s still unsettling. That contrast is the show in a nutshell.
