‘It: Welcome to Derry’ has scary monsters. But the real horror is closer than you think

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Imagine a baby with deadly powers, household objects suddenly springing to life, creepy underground tunnels, and a terrifying clown who targets kids – that’s the kind of unsettling stuff we’re dealing with.

I just finished watching HBO Max’s new series, “It: Welcome to Derry,” and it’s definitely living up to the hype. This adaptation of Stephen King’s classic novel, which centers around the terrifying Pennywise the clown, is a genuinely creepy and unsettling watch. Since it premiered on October 26th, it’s been creating a lot of buzz, and rightfully so – it’s packed with disturbing events and truly nightmarish imagery.

The series begins with a chilling scene from “The Music Man,” featuring Robert Preston’s warning of “Ya Got Trouble,” hinting at the horrors to come. The first two episodes include disturbing depictions of childbirth that may be difficult for some viewers to watch. The second episode will be available on HBO Max this Friday, just in time for Halloween, and will also air on HBO this Sunday at 9 p.m. Pacific Time.

This new drama serves as a backstory to the films “It” (2017) and “It: Chapter Two” (2019), both directed by Andy Muschietti. Set in 1962 in the made-up town of Derry, Maine, the series will once again feature Bill Skarsgård as the terrifying Pennywise.

The cast includes a diverse group of actors, both children and adults. Notable characters include Air Force Major Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo), his wife Charlotte (Taylour Paige), a civil rights activist known for her stylish hats, and their son Will (Blake Cameron James). The town’s theater projectionist, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), and his teenage daughter Ronnie (Amanda Christine) also play key roles.

Review

‘It: Welcome to Derry’ will satisfy fans of horror and of Stephen King’s deadly clown

I was really fascinated by HBO’s new series! It tells the story of how Pennywise, that terrifying clown who preys on kids’ fears, first came to be. What’s even more compelling is that it also dives into the issues of racism happening in Maine during the 1960s. It gives a lot of context to the original story and is surprisingly thought-provoking.

I’m really excited about how Andy Muschietti, his sister Barbara, and Jason Fuchs are making these new movies. They’re not just focusing on scares; they’re really trying to amp up the intensity. What I find particularly interesting is that they’re also weaving in important themes. It’s especially impactful seeing how the Black characters deal with prejudice and obstacles in a mostly white town – it feels very relevant to what people of color experience today.

Barbara Muschietti explained that Stephen is incredibly skilled at incorporating complex themes into his narratives, and those themes are essential to the feel of his stories.

In a recent video conversation, Andy and Barbara Muschiettis talked about exploring the backstory of Pennywise, guiding their young actors to portray a realistic 1960s childhood, and the things that genuinely frighten them. This conversation has been shortened and clarified for readability.

After the release of the two “It” films, how quickly did discussions begin about exploring the world of Pennywise in more detail?

Andy Muschietti explained that the novel It was the primary source of inspiration for their approach. A key element of the book’s power is that, even after over 1,200 pages, the true nature and motivations of “It” remain a mystery, leaving everything open to interpretation. They discussed with Stephen King the idea of exploring the backstory of Bob Gray, the mysterious character, and showing his human side before he became Pennywise. The goal is to tie together all the loose ends and create a cohesive narrative that culminates in the origin of Pennywise, representing the birth of pure evil.

Once we started developing the idea, we reached out to Stephen King, and he was immediately enthusiastic. We then pitched it to Peter Roth at Warner Bros. Television early in the pandemic, and he approved it on the spot. We’ve been working on it non-stop ever since.

The first episode features “The Music Man,” but it takes a surprisingly dark turn. As a big fan of the movie, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to enjoy that usually cheerful musical the same way again.

Andy Muschietti initially envisioned creating an original musical designed to look like a film from 1962. However, the project would have been very expensive and time-consuming. Instead, they searched for an existing musical and ultimately chose “The Music Man,” which Warner Bros. released in 1962. The story, about a stranger arriving in a small town and stirring up trouble, felt like a good fit for the film.

Barbara Muschietti: We also hope a lot of younger people will be curious and go see “The Music Man.”

What is the superpower of “It” that makes it a story that keeps giving and giving?

Andy Muschietti believes the enduring appeal of ‘It’ lies in its connection to childhood – a time most of us remember as magical and full of imagination. The story taps into universal childhood fears, and celebrates the positive qualities of being a child, qualities that are often lost as we grow up. In fact, Muschietti suggests that the adults in the story are, in a way, the villains.

Beyond just the figure of the clown, there’s a much larger, hidden story waiting to be discovered. This series aims to uncover the deeper, underlying truths that remain unseen.

HBO’s “Welcome to Derry” features a core cast of Black characters, including Stephen Rider as Hank, Amanda Christine as Ronnie, Jovan Adepo as Leroy, and Taylour Paige as Charlotte. (Photo: Brooke Palmer / HBO)

While the show’s arrival might have been coincidental, its themes – such as prejudice – feel very relevant to current events in the country.

Andy Muschietti explains that the issues explored in Stephen King’s work aren’t new – they simply reappear in different forms throughout history. He points out that while societies may feel secure, the threat of authoritarianism is always present. Coming from Argentina, Muschietti notes a different experience with racial tension compared to the United States. He believes King’s stories consistently promote empathy and condemn injustice, making it crucial to represent these themes now, especially when some are attempting to erase historical truths.

Barbara Muschietti expressed sadness that societal horrors, like racism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia, continue to exist. She noted a troubling human tendency to target those perceived as ‘below’ them, and acknowledged that historical context, particularly living in the United States, makes these issues especially resonant. She found it surprising that these problems persist despite progress.

Andy Muschietti: Alarming.

Barbara Muschietti: … that more people are not more concerned.

Andy Muschietti explains that the fog in the story represents how people deal with fear. They tend to ignore or forget things that frighten them, essentially looking away from the truth. He sees this as a central theme of the narrative.

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This show immediately sets a dark and terrifying tone, suggesting even more disturbing events than the movies. The visuals are truly frightening and unsettling.

Director Andy Muschietti explains that the shapeshifting ability of the creature was a key element, allowing for escalating tension. They aimed to exceed audience expectations by delivering something fresh, avoiding repetition. The story also reflects the anxieties of the time – the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and social issues like unrest and segregation – shaping the nature of the fears presented.

Barbara Muschietti: I’d like to say it’s all very cathartic. We’re very nice people. I swear.

The show also has a great feel and look to it when it comes to depicting the 1960s.

Andy Muschietti emphasized a strong sense of respect and commitment to getting things right, both visually and in terms of the story’s essence. He credited the collaborative spirit of the entire team – many of whom had worked on previous films – and the thorough research done by the writers as key to the project’s success.

Since most of the actors are young and didn’t experience that time period, the challenge was how to help them understand and portray the feelings and atmosphere of the era.

Director Andy Muschietti explains that the story relies heavily on dialogue, drawing from Stephen King’s own childhood experiences in the 1950s and the book’s incredibly detailed nature. They worked with a child acting coach, Ben Perkins, and allowed the young actors plenty of freedom to use their imaginations – something kids that age really respond to. The only issue during production was excessive swearing.

Barbara Muschietti explained that Stephen King pointed out there was excessive use of a particular swear word. They also create a special experience for the young actors, sending them with Ben to a camp-like setting with activities like biking and swimming – things kids today don’t often get to do. This has been a successful practice since 2016, fostering deep, lasting friendships among the cast. It allows them to beautifully transition out of their teenage years while working on set.

How long will you keep expanding the ”It” universe?

Andy Muschietti explains that the story consistently returns to the town of Derry. The idea of “Welcome” will be a recurring theme throughout the three seasons, exploring the deep connection between the town and the entity known as “It.” Ultimately, they plan to reveal a larger narrative explaining the origins and existence of Pennywise.

I have to ask — what gives you two nightmares? What is scary to you?

Barbara Muschietti: Fascism. Guns.

Andy Muschietti feels strongly about violence, noting that despite our advancements as a society, we don’t seem to be learning from the past. He questions where our capacity for empathy has gone, suggesting we should focus on our shared humanity rather than our differences.

Barbara Muschietti: And love and respect.

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2025-10-31 13:04