The visionary creative team—Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs—who so successfully brought Stephen King’s It to the big screen, have now crafted a prequel series, It: Welcome to Derry, that feels like a true, expansive extension of the master storyteller’s universe. Set in 1962, this eight-episode season (with five episodes reviewed) doesn’t just rehash old terrors; it masterfully weaves new threads of psychological horror with the pressing societal anxieties of the era, proving itself a worthy and ambitious chapter in the It saga. The result is a series that captures the distinctive pacing, aesthetic, and deep-seated environmental dread of reading a King novel.
What immediately sets this series apart is the sheer creative brilliance on display in its horror sequences. Muschietti, who directs the first four episodes, leverages the period setting and the children’s fertile imaginations to transform mundane locations into sites of spectacular, visceral nightmare fuel. The opening sequence, involving a seemingly innocent family car ride that quickly devolves into a scene of lunatic, bloody destruction featuring horrifying, grotesque imagery, establishes a relentless standard of terror. These aren’t just jump scares; they are surreal, imaginative set pieces—from pickle jars filling with haunting reminders of a lost father to the terrifying transformation of a movie theater—that leave no doubt about the relentless danger posed by Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård, whose appearances are judiciously terrifying). This inventive approach ensures that even when Pennywise is used sparingly, the dread is always palpable.
Exceptional Depth and Direction
The series achieves remarkable depth by operating on two parallel timelines that enhance the narrative’s thematic weight. On one hand, we are introduced to a new group of child protagonists—Lilly (Clara Stack), Rich, Ronnie (Amanda Christine), and Will Hanlon—who form a compelling, genuine Losers’ Club of their own. The outstanding younger cast delivers emotionally resonant performances, particularly Stack’s portrayal of a girl traumatized yet driven to save her friends. Their journey, marked by stumbling attempts at friendship and confrontation with personalized fears, forms the thrilling, beating heart of the show.
On the other hand, the adult storyline, centered around the arrival of Major Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) and his activist wife, Charlotte (Taylour Paige), in Derry, elevates the series beyond simple supernatural horror. The show bravely tackles the dark realities of 1962 America, including systemic racism faced by the Hanlons and the paranoia of the Cold War. This societal backdrop acts as a crucial, tangible form of “horror” that complements Pennywise’s cosmic evil, showcasing how the supernatural entity exploits and feeds on the town’s existing prejudices. The inclusion of Chris Chalk’s Dick Hallorann from The Shining is particularly ingenious, providing a powerful, well-written character who embodies the burden of extraordinary knowledge against inescapable darkness. Adepo and Paige anchor the adult narrative with strong, morally centered performances, serving as the necessary, level-headed newcomers in a town rapidly descending into madness.
A Visually Rich and Faithful Adaptation
The commitment to production design and a faithful, expansive adaptation of King’s tone is evident throughout. Every frame is saturated with the aesthetic of 1962, providing a rich, immersive experience that feels tactile and authentic. The cinematography and editing work in tandem to capture King’s signature style—allowing moments to breathe, holding on uncomfortable silences, and letting time pass so that the sense of dread truly settles in. This deliberate pacing is not a weakness, but a crucial component of recreating the experience of reading King’s sprawling, character-driven work.
While the series covers a lot of ground—from abuse and psychological trauma to infringement on Indigenous land and militarization—it does so with conviction. It: Welcome to Derry is a masterfully woven, terrifying tale that not only details the emergence of Pennywise but also uses the lens of history to reflect on the enduring horrors in the American experience. It’s a compelling, gory, and essential viewing that is among the best expansions of King’s terrifying world.
Episode Breakdown and Synopsis: ‘It: Welcome to Derry’ (Episodes 1-4)
The initial episodes of It: Welcome to Derry establish the chilling atmosphere and dual-track narrative set in 1962, successfully layering trauma, social issues, and supernatural frights.
Episode 1: “Gone”
In January 1962, a young boy named Matty is violently abducted. Four months later, the Hanlon family arrives in Derry. Major Leroy Hanlon begins a mysterious assignment tied to a military base, while his son Will is drawn into the unsettling local atmosphere. Meanwhile, Lilly and Ronnie start noticing alarming phenomena and the town’s immediate shift toward scapegoating a local Black family.
Visceral, Shocking Start. The premiere is a horrifying and essential tone-setter. The opening car scene delivers on the gore, while the introduction of the young cast and the immediate onset of racial prejudice expertly establish the show’s dual focus on supernatural and social horror.
Episode 2: “Old Town”
As Chief of Police Bowers escalates pressure on Ronnie’s father, Hank, the town’s racism is starkly exposed. Leroy begins to understand the unusual nature of the military base’s operation. Lilly and Ronnie initiate their investigation, hearing disturbing voices and suffering personalized, fear-based visions that confirm an intelligence is stalking them.
Building the Dread. This episode masterfully prioritizes atmosphere and character-building over outright scares, allowing the social commentary to deepen. The subtle, yet deeply personal, supernatural attacks effectively use Pennywise’s manipulation, drawing viewers into the psychological horror.
Episode 3: “The Crossroads”
Leroy and Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk) delve deeper into the base’s strange mission, realizing it connects directly to the ancient evil haunting Derry. The children’s investigation forces them into dangerous territory, where they must confront terrifying, escalating manifestations of their trauma. Their shared terror begins to forge the bonds of their fledgling group.
Lore and Tension. An intricate, high-stakes episode that brilliantly integrates King’s wider universe via Hallorann, whose haunted presence provides some of the show’s most compelling character work. The horror is now frequent and imaginative, proving the group’s necessity for survival.
Episode 4: “The Leak”
Violence and disappearances put severe pressure on the town’s authorities, resulting in aggressive actions against the marginalized. The children uncover a critical clue concerning Matty’s disappearance and the source of the evil. Leroy and Charlotte are forced to acknowledge that the supernatural forces are actively impacting their lives, threatening to overwhelm the rational world.
Climax of the First Half. This episode sees the storylines forcefully converge, confirming the inescapable nature of Derry’s curse. The direction is tight, delivering impactful, highly specific scares that push the characters to their breaking points, setting a thrilling trajectory for the rest of the season.
CINEMA SPICE RATING: ★★★½ (3.5/5)
