Disclaimer: I have not read Stephen Kingโs IT, so this review focuses less on the homages that creator Andy Muschietti pays to Kingโs universe and more on whether itโs actually good TV.
IT: WELCOME TO DERRY is a hit-and-miss prequel to the most recent IT films. The show excels at creating atmosphere, delivering bloody horror, and putting children in genuine peril. Unfortunately, it falters due to on-the-nose writing and one-dimensional characters who express only basic emotions, lacking real human depth. The writers frequently violate the classic “show, donโt tell” rule, relying on clunky monologues that would work better in a novel than on TV.
Despite these flaws, the showโs strong production values and direction make it easy for audiences to get hooked as Muschietti expands Kingโs universe in a way that hints at a future MCU-style franchise.
Some random Good/Bad parts of the show:
- Good: When the kids face Pennywise. / Bad: Any time the kids face romance.
- Good: The military stuff in the back-half โshines.โ / Bad: Anything military related in the first half.
- Good: Seeing THE DARK TOWERโS dagger. / Bad: Seeing it play out like THE LORD OF THE RINGS Golum whenever itโs touched. ย
Final Thought: IT: WELCOME TO DERRY had the potential to be this fallโs โitโ show, but ultimately settles for being a run-of-the-mill King-infused horror. Itโs elevated by Bill Skarsgรฅrdโs performance and impressive production values.
The entire first season is available on HBO MAX.
