It: Welcome to Derry review: Deliriously creepy with more to say than just a Pennywise prequel

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While ‘It: Welcome to Derry‘ features the terrifying Pennywise, the story is about more than just the villain. It explores themes like how trauma affects generations, the power of fear, and the presence of racism, offering a deeper look at these issues.

Let’s be upfront: viewers hoping to see Pennywise the Clown in every episode of the HBO series might be surprised. However, that’s actually a positive!

Viewers have already seen Bill Skarsgård deliver a chilling performance as Pennywise in two successful horror films. Showing him too much in ‘It: Welcome to Derry’ would lessen the impact of that performance. The series wisely keeps him mysterious, similar to how the shark was used in ‘Jaws,’ making his eventual appearance even more frightening and memorable.

The creature known as Pennywise terrorizes a fresh group of children – and viewers – with intensely frightening and unpredictable illusions, ensuring a constantly unsettling experience.

What is It: Welcome to Derry about?

Okay, so the new ‘It’ prequel, ‘Welcome to Derry’, is set way back in 1962, almost 30 years before the 2017 movie. It’s during the height of the Cold War, and things are seriously tense. Apparently, the military built an airbase just outside of Derry because it was considered a key spot if World War III ever broke out with Russia. It really adds a whole new layer to the town’s creepy vibe, knowing all this was going on in the background!

After Major Leroy Hanlon is sent back to the area, he brings his wife, Charlotte, and their son, William, with him to live in the town.

Not long after, children begin disappearing, and others are terrorized by frightening creatures and disturbing visions. A small group of brave kids team up to investigate these events and discover a terrifying being beneath the town of Derry is preying on their fear.

The Nuclear Family

Honestly, this series could have just been a bunch of cheap scares, but thankfully, the creator, Andy Muschietti, really dug into the lore from Stephen King’s book. He added some genuinely interesting themes and ideas, which made the whole experience so much better than just jump scares.

The show sets a dark backdrop of potential nuclear war in Derry, using this fear to explore how trauma affects families across generations. It’s telling that news reports mention the dangers of radiation causing birth defects, especially considering what happens later when a horribly deformed baby violently attacks other children. It’s a disturbing connection.

Children in Derry are haunted by disturbing nightmares – some feel trapped as if still in the womb, while others blame their parents for past pain. Many adults try to suppress memories of childhood abuse. This creates a sense of isolation and forces the children to depend on each other, highlighting the town’s pervasive and unsettling atmosphere of paranoia.

The Hanlon family’s deep-seated distrust stems from a feeling that they’re being targeted because of their race. But the source of their troubles isn’t simple – it could be racism, a monster from another dimension, or, because they’ve always been treated as outsiders, potentially both.

Fortunately, the show doesn’t ignore the unpleasant aspects of the era, and that’s what makes its depiction of idyllic American life so unsettling.

New kids on the (chopping) block

As a fan, I really think the kids are what make this show special, just like the movies. You can’t help but get caught up in what happens to them, and the actors do such a great job making you care about each of their stories. Clara Stack, who plays Lilly, is amazing – she really brings a lot of depth to a character dealing with some tough stuff. And Amanda Christine as Ronnie is fantastic too, she’s so strong and protective of her family, it’s really compelling to watch.

To avoid giving away any surprises – and to avoid trouble with HBO – it’s best not to say much more. However, it’s clear that director Muschietti is very good at getting great performances from young actors.

And it’s not just the kids who shine.

Chris Chalk, known for his roles in Gotham and Perry Mason, brings a fresh take to the character of Dick Hallorann from The Shining and Doctor Sleep. He skillfully portrays the character’s inner turmoil as a Black man with psychic abilities, highlighting the added weight of facing racism during that era.

Hallorann struggles with a clear conflict: he wants to connect with others, but fears getting hurt, so he often pushes people away. This portrayal of the character is noticeably different from the interpretations offered by Scatman Crothers and Carl Lumbly.

It: Welcome to Derry is packed with scares, but the CGI lets it down at times

The HBO series is genuinely frightening and ideal for watching around Halloween. However, while known for its creative and detailed sets, the show unfortunately depends too much on computer-generated imagery, which detracts from the overall experience.

The visual effects aren’t necessarily poor, but they sometimes diminish the impact of genuinely scary scenes. Often, frightening characters turn into stretched-out monsters, and this change to computer-generated imagery can pull viewers out of the moment.

While these effects simplify filming, it’s a shame the series doesn’t use more practical effects. When things get violent – and they often do – it’s genuinely enjoyable to see those real-world effects.

Is It: Welcome to Derry good? 

Absolutely, ‘It: Welcome to Derry’ is a worthwhile read. It expands on the history of the town and its terrifying clown, and doesn’t shy away from intense, shocking violence throughout the story.

It: Welcome to Derry score: 4/5

It: Welcome to Derry starts streaming on HBO Max on Sundays from October 26 at 9pm ET/PT.

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2025-10-22 19:21