IT: Welcome to Derry - An Exciting New Chapter

By Mark Tanner

Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise the clown. (TNS)

IT: Welcome to Derry is a television prequel series to Stephen King's iconic horror novel IT and the film adaptations. The show was produced by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, and premiered on October 26, 2025, on HBO Max, transporting audiences back to the doomed town of Derry, Maine.

At the center of the show, IT: Welcome to Derry is a drama/horror that blends the supernatural and historical storytelling. The show explores more than just the origins of the main antagonist, Pennywise the Dancing Clown. It also explores the 27-year cycle of fear, violence, and prejudice that defines the town of Derry, Maine.

The series has multiple storylines that deepen the lore of Derry. The Hanlon family, led by Major Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) and his wife Charlotte (Tayloe Paige), arrives in Derry after being forced to leave their old town due to racial prejudice. Meanwhile, a group of local children (Marge, WIll, Rich, Lily and Veronica) confront Pennywise firsthand, facing fears they never imagined.

The town of Derry functions as a living character; it has an overwhelming nature that makes the town eerie and unsettling, as well as the unnatural townspeople and hidden history, creating a sense of distrust at every turn. Subplots involving a secret military operation add to the depth of this show, highlighting social issues like Cold War paranoia and racism. Pennywise, played by the one and only Bill Skarsgård, is both terrifying and unnerving, as you never know if he is playing with the characters or trying to actually kill them.  

As a horror drama, IT: Welcome to Derry balances deep character development with cosmic horror. The writing really shines when diving into trauma, prejudice, and the consequences of living in a town overcome by evil. The Hanlons’ struggles around racism ground the series emotionally, while the children’s storylines highlight the loss of innocence as they confront unspeakable evil. 

IT: Welcome to Derry does a great job of balancing deep character development with the horror aspect and having to kill off some characters. The writing shines the best when the show dives into trauma, prejudice, and the consequences of living in the town of Derry. The show is grounded emotionally by the Hanlons’ struggle with racism, which the children’s storylines show the loss of innocence as they try to defeat Pennywise.

However, uneven pacing is a minor problem with the show. Because of multiple deep storylines unfolding at the same time, it can be hard to keep up and tension occasionally disappears. Yet, the focus on character development makes this show feel meaningful, rather than just another horror show that makes us scared with no main storyline. 

The series really shines in creating an interesting atmosphere. The cinematography, music, and sound design are truly one of the best I've seen all year. They make Derry feel alive with fear, while fog-filled streets and abandoned buildings create a sense of dread. The scenes are made with both CGI and practical effects, which is very impressive in this day and age, where everything is made with CGI. 

Critics and audiences alike have praised Welcome to Derry for its tension, amazing effects, and intricate writing, while noting that pacing issues hinder its effectiveness. Audiences do note how they would have liked to see Pennywise in early episodes since he was first introduced in episode 5.

Overall, this is a great horror series that demonstrates a strong understanding of character development and of what its audience wants to see, appealing to both longtime King fans and new viewers. 

What do you like better Welcome to Derry or IT Films

• IT: Welcome to Derry
• IT films