A new generation of children is set to confront the terrifying monster Pe
ywise in the prequel series, It: Welcome to Derry. This series draws inspiration from Stephen King’s work, continuing the legacy of the original 1990 adaptation of It, which famously featured Tim Curry as the malevolent clown. With the return of Pe
ywise to television, the central question emerges: can this new narrative stand apart and succeed on its own merit?
Taking place in early 1962 during one of Pe
ywise’s feeding frenzies, the story introduces us to young Matty Clements (Miles Ekhardt), who sneaks out of his troubled home to watch a screening of The Music Man. Given the nature of the series, it is not a spoiler to reveal that Matty’s time is short. His fate, crafted by the writers, aligns well with King’s horror storytelling principles, transitioning from terror to horror to grotesque elements. While it may lack the iconic simplicity of Georgie’s tragic demise from the original film, it compensates with originality and shocking horror.
As for the element of terror, the series does not disappoint. The indifference of Derry’s residents to the bullying of children, alongside the racism experienced by its Black characters, offers a wealth of societal fears. Welcome to Derry effectively juxtaposes supernatural threats with the horrors of everyday life, a hallmark of King’s storytelling. Young Lily Bainbridge (Clara Stack) grapples with the loss of her father, leading to her institutionalization at Juniper Hill Asylum, while Will Hanlon (Blake Cameron James) is haunted by fears of his Air Force pilot father’s safety. Ro
ie Grogan (Amanda Christine) faces the trauma of her mother’s death during childbirth and the subsequent suspicion surrounding her father following the unexplained deaths of several children in Derry. Viewers should be cautious about becoming too attached to these characters, as unlike the heroes from the films, their survival is uncertain, adding a palpable tension to the story and addressing the prequel challenge of predictability.
Regarding Pe
ywise, the series has yet to fully showcase the iconic clown as of Episode 4, opting instead for brief glimpses. This strategy creates a sense of rising dread, although it does mean missing one of the most memorable aspects of the films. Teasers of his return, featuring big-screen actor Bill Skarsgård, suggest a thrilling energy that the series has not yet captured.
However, the show is not without its prequel pitfalls. Viewers are already aware of Pe
ywise’s backstory, leading to moments where characters seem to lag behind the audience’s understanding. Additionally, the need to explain elements that perhaps do not require elaboration—such as why Pe
ywise remains confined to Derry—can detract from the overall narrative.
It is important to note that despite the extensive lore found in the book and films, the core of It remains focused on the children tormented by Pe
ywise. In this series, we encounter not only the young protagonists but also a range of adult figures, including military perso
el and Dick Holloran (Chris Chalk) from The Shining, who expands upon his previously minor role. While this broader scope could enrich the narrative, it sometimes causes the children’s immediate and gripping storylines to feel overshadowed. Yet, limiting the focus solely to the children could risk recycling the film’s plot, and the adult characters’ past encounters with Pe
ywise add depth to their scenes. This dual focus can make the series feel somewhat unfocused at times, but it never loses its audience’s interest, as each episode includes several notable, terrifying, and grotesque encounters with Pe
ywise.
Ultimately, I found myself eagerly consuming each episode and will continue to do so as new installments are released. While the show may not rise to the pi
acle of King’s adaptations, it certainly avoids sinking into mediocrity.
It: Welcome to Derry features performances by Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, and James Remar, under the direction of showru
ers Jason Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane. This series is based on the novel by Stephen King and is currently airing on HBO and HBO Max. It carries a TV-MA rating.
