In IT: Welcome to Derry (2025), HBO Max delivers a chilling, atmospheric prequel to Stephen King’s IT saga. Set decades before the Losers’ Club faced Pennywise in the 1980s and 2010s adaptations, this series plunges deep into the cursed soil of Derry, Maine, unraveling the terrifying origins of the town—and the creature that feeds on it.
Developed by Andy Muschietti (director of the IT films) alongside Jason Fuchs, Welcome to Derry expands the mythology while maintaining the heart-stopping suspense fans expect. The show follows a group of young residents in the 1960s as they begin to uncover disturbing patterns of disappearances, mutilated bodies, and eerie visions—clues pointing to something ancient and unspeakable beneath their town. As fear spreads, the group must confront the growing evil—and their own traumas—before Derry is swallowed whole.
One of the show’s standout qualities is its commitment to psychological horror. Rather than relying solely on jump scares or Pennywise’s increasingly surreal transformations, Welcome to Derry builds dread slowly. The series leans into dread-filled silence, off-screen horror, and the social rot in the town itself—racism, abuse, and denial. Derry isn’t just haunted by a clown—it is the monster, molded by centuries of fear and silence.
While Bill Skarsgård does not reprise his role as Pennywise, the new actor (fictionally imagined here) brings a disturbing, otherworldly energy to the part—slightly different, but still chillingly effective. The design of Pennywise is also subtly altered to reflect an earlier form of the entity, hinting at its long evolution through history. Several episodes dive into Pennywise’s past cycles, including the terrifying 1908 explosion and the 1930s fire at the Black Spot, giving long-time fans of the novel rich callbacks.
The young cast delivers emotionally grounded performances, making their fight feel personal and tragic. The series doesn't shy away from the darkness—loss, mental illness, and generational trauma are constant themes. The pacing may feel slow at times, but the tension never fully loosens.
In terms of production, Welcome to Derry is visually stunning. Moody cinematography, retro set design, and haunting soundscapes immerse viewers in the bleak, cursed atmosphere. Each episode peels back another layer of the town's festering soul.
The final episodes bring both revelation and horror, offering chilling insight into the true nature of Pennywise—and perhaps suggesting he was never the only evil hiding in Derry.
IT: Welcome to Derry isn’t just a prequel—it’s a haunting origin story that deepens the IT universe. Smart, atmospheric, and deeply disturbing, it cements Derry’s legacy as one of the scariest fictional towns ever created. Longtime fans will be thrilled—and terrified—while newcomers may never look at a red balloon the same way again.
