Helen 1976 (top) and 2002 (bottom)
Helen Shyres is a character from the novel Carrie. Along with Chris Hargensen, Helen takes part in tormenting Carrie White. Helen, without getting on inevitably with Carrie, is a girl with a good consciousness. She is also the girlfriend of Roy Evarts and the best friend of Sue Snell.
Novel
According to the novel, Helen was a member of The Ultras. She bullied Carrie during the locker room incident by making throw-up gestures at her. She was also the best friend of Sue Snell and the girlfriend of Roy Evarts. It is unclear, if Helen escaped or not. However, her mother, Georgette Shyres, dies and there's no mention of Helen surviving, which implies she must have died, too..
1976 Movie
Shyres was portrayed by Edie McClurg. She is a member of the Ultras and one of Carrie's bullies, she is also best friends with Norma Watson. In the 1976 verison she is not Sue's best friend and a lot meaner than her novel counterpart. She is present during the shower scene and during Miss Collins' detention. She also gets ready for prom with Norma Watson and they pick on Carrie after Norma announces that Tommy is taking Carrie to prom. Helen jokingly asks Norma if Carrie is gonna wear a sack cloth and they begin laughing hysterically. During the prom Helen is seen hanging around Ruth Gogan and, when the prank is pulled, she is standing on a table with her. She begins laughing hysterically (although it is unknown if this is a hallucination or not). But when Carrie unleashes her powers Ruth and Helen attempt to escape together. But Helen is knocked over a table before they can. Ruth and another guy can be seen attending to her body but it appears to be too late. Helen's body burns along with the others as the building crumbles and burns to the ground.
2002 Remake
Helen was portrayed by Chelan Simmons. In the prom sequence, her role is a synthesis of her own character, Frieda Jason and Sue Snell. Helen also takes part in throwing tampons at Carrie. Helen is seen chatting with Sue while they decorate for prom. She sympathizes with Carrie, and complimented her dress like Freida in the 1976 movie.
She finds the behavior of Tina Blake to be suspicious, and follows her look (and that of Kenny Garson) going up to the ceiling, where she sees the bucket. Unlike Sue in the previous movie, she does not attempt to warn Rita Desjarden, because she does not know what to expect. But when Carrie gets the pig’s blood dumped on her, Helen is very shocked; however, without hesitation, she slaps Kenny across the face — thus showing that she didn’t like their prank on Carrie or laughing at Carrie’s humiliation one bit. Afterwards, she heads over to the stage, along with Roy and Rita, in order to help Tommy Ross (who was knocked out by the bucket) and attempt to reassure Carrie.
During the prom massacre, Helen and Roy attempt to leave, holding hands as they run through the chaos. But as Carrie drops the basketball scoreboard into the water, Helen and Roy are electrocuted.
2013 Remake
Helen and Don's name.
Helen is a student at Ewen High School. She is dating Don Farnham and is possibly a bully of Carrie White. She is also nominated for Prom Queen but loses to Carrie. Although Helen is a character she is not seen, but her name can be seen on the prom King and Queen ballot.
Appearances
- Carrie
- Carrie (1976 film)
- Carrie: The Musical
- Carrie (2002 film)
- Carrie (2013 film) (name-seen) (also as Heather)
Notes
- Heather, from the 2013 film, is possibly and most likely the equivalent of Helen.
- The reason "Heather" is most likely equivalent to Helen is, because her name is modernized.