MIND-BENDING: Superpowered children

In HIM (9pm, ITV), a teenager explores his telekinetic powers while coping with a difficult home life. Here, we look at some other screen youngsters with amazing powers of the mind… Carrie (1976)

Poor Carrie (Sissy Spacek) doesn’t have it easy. At home, her mother is a religious nut who can’t share the love; at school, she is bullied. Revenge is a dish best served on prom night, when Carrie can take no more humiliation – she rains fire and brimstone on her persecutors. Danny in The Shining (1980) Like Carrie and Firestarter, this is based on a Stephen King novel. In the film, Danny’s father, Jack, grows increasingly unhinged, and Danny (Danny Lloyd, left) uses ‘the shining’ to keep him and his mother safe. Charlie in Firestarter (1984) Nineyear-old Charlie (Drew Barrymore, right) inherited the ability to start fires with her mind from her parents, who were reluctant lab rats. And with a shady government organisation after her, Charlie’s powers come in pretty handy. Matilda (1996) It’s not all bad – sometimes, special powers can be put to good use, as clever Matilda (Mara Wilson, right) learns in this film of Roald Dahl’s story. At school, the youngster uses the power of her mind to trick nasty Miss Trunchbull. Eleven in Stranger Things (2016) This 1980sset Netflix series follows three boys who take in a mystery girl who calls herself Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), and who holds the key to finding their missing friend. She doesn’t talk much, but can move things with her mind, and has a link to another dimension.