'The Witcher' Season 3 makes a brazen reference to 'Carrie'

If you predicted a reference to Stephen King's Carrie in The Witcher Season 3, you must have Ciri's powers of foresight.

The second volume of the third season of Netflix's adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski's books has landed, and with it a telekinesis moment worthy of the worst prom ever. And yes, spoilers are ahead.

In episode 6, titled "Everybody Has a Plan 'til They Get Punched in the Face", chaos has been unleashed at the mages' stronghold of Aretuza. Episode 5 saw the revelation that the rogue mage puppetmaster isn't Yennefer and Geralt's main suspect Stregobor (Lars Mikkelsen) but Vilgefortz (Mahesh Jadu), and his treachery has seen the infiltration of Thanedd Island by the Nilfgaardians, supported by their Elven allies. Stay with me.

This includes the vengeful Elven queen Francesca Findabair (Mecia Simson) and her partner Filavandrel aén Fidháil (Tom Canton), who lead the charge for the Nilfgaardians with knight Cahir (Eamon Farren). But unfortunately for them, hell hath no fury like a powerful sorceress scorned, and Tissaia De Vries (MyAnna Buring) stands truly burned by her lover Vilgefortz's treachery.

In the central court ballroom, they fight for Aretuza. Seeing her fellow mages felled with magic-repellant Dimeritium arrows, Tissaia conjures a powerful ball of magic and hurls it toward Francesca. Alas, Filavandrel takes the bullet for her and promptly explodes into a bloody mess all over his love.

The image of Francesca screaming, horrified, and covered head to toe in blood is instantly reminiscent of King's Carrie and the 1976 film starring Sissy Spacek. The moment parallels the famous scene when the titular protagonist's onstage crowning as prom queen is interrupted by a personal shower of pig's blood at the school prom, thanks to teen bully Chris (Nancy Allen). But if it seems merely coincidence, The Witcher hammers the reference home, as Francesca uses her telekinetic powers to seal the doors to the ballroom with her eyes — exactly what Carrie does to the doors of the school gymnasium.

In both scenes, it's the moment of no return for Francesca and Carrie, vowing ultimate revenge with nothing else to lose. And what's more, Stregobor shows up to add a little fire magic to the equation — exactly as Carrie does.

Someone working on The Witcher is a King fan, and we're into it.

How to watch: The Witcher is now streaming on Netflix.