IT Chapter 3

Genre: Horror | Supernatural | Mystery
Director: Andy Muschietti
Starring: Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Martell, Sophia Lillis, Isaiah Mustafa, and a new ensemble cast

After terrifying audiences with two harrowing chapters based on Stephen King’s 1986 novel, IT Chapter 3: Welcome to Derry returns to the cursed town to dig deeper into the roots of its ancient evil. Directed once again by Andy Muschietti, this chilling prequel blends psychological terror, cosmic horror, and tragic human stories into a terrifying tale that explains where Pennywise came from—and why Derry will never truly be free.

Set in the 1960s—several decades before the events of IT Chapter One—Welcome to Derry follows a new group of children and townsfolk as they begin to experience nightmarish visions, disappearances, and a growing sense of dread. The film begins just before one of Derry’s infamous cycles of horror and introduces us to a young boy named Thomas Meara, who begins to suspect that an ancient evil is feeding on the town.

Parallel to this story is a disturbing historical thread: the film jumps between timelines to explore the early origins of Pennywise—also known as the Deadlights—revealing how it first arrived on Earth, how it shaped the sinister underbelly of Derry, and how the town itself enables its cycles of terror.

As the children race to uncover the mystery, they begin to experience the same tormenting illusions and manifestations that haunted the Losers Club decades later. Bill Skarsgård returns as Pennywise in a terrifying, more primal form—less clown and more cosmic predator.

Bill Skarsgård once again delivers a masterclass in horror acting. His portrayal of Pennywise is even more unnerving this time—subtle, manipulative, and bone-chilling. While his screen time is used sparingly, it’s always effective.

The new child cast—led by standout newcomer Elias Hargrove as Thomas—brings emotional sincerity and raw fear to their roles. Their chemistry echoes that of the original Losers Club, adding a fresh sense of innocence and vulnerability.

Isaiah Mustafa and Sophia Lillis appear in cameo roles as older versions of Mike and Beverly, respectively, offering narration and flashback insights that link the prequel with the main storyline.

Andy Muschietti masterfully blends horror with haunting visuals. The tone is darker, more surreal, and more psychologically disturbing than the previous entries. The film leans into cosmic horror and abstract terror, exploring The Macroverse—an expanded mythology hinted at in IT Chapter Two.

The cinematography is rich with symbolism and dread. From decaying carnival rides to endless sewers dripping with shadow, Welcome to Derry offers some of the most visually unsettling scenes of the franchise.

More than just another haunted clown story, Welcome to Derry explores the nature of fear itself: how it festers in communities, how trauma becomes generational, and how institutions often turn a blind eye to evil. It also poses a haunting question: What if Derry itself wanted to be cursed?

• Expanded mythology that deepens the lore of IT and the town of Derry

• Atmospheric world-building with unsettling visuals and music

• Strong performances from both the returning and new cast

• Creepy, slow-building horror that favors dread over cheap jump scares

The slower pace and heavy focus on lore may not appeal to viewers looking for more straightforward scares. Some moments of cosmic horror may feel abstract or confusing for audiences unfamiliar with King’s broader universe.

IT Chapter 3: Welcome to Derry is a chilling, ambitious prequel that adds depth and terror to the already iconic franchise. By expanding on the origins of Pennywise and the cursed town of Derry, it gives horror fans exactly what they crave: not just scares, but unsettling truths about fear, evil, and the darkness that hides in plain sight.