IT: Welcome to Derry Review

IT: Welcome to Derry serves as a prequel to the most recent film adaptations of Stephen King’s IT, showcasing events that take place decades before the first film and depicting Pennywise the Clown’s early actions in Derry. For those unfamiliar, the IT films follow a group of kids who encounter the otherworldly Pennywise, a being that gains power through fear. Because the show acts as a prequel, it serves as a good jumping-on point for those who may not have seen the two films. That said, watching the 2017 and 2019 movies certainly wouldn’t hurt, as they are direct adaptations of King’s novel and provide a general sense of the tone you can expect here.

It’s hard not to compare this show to FX’s Alien: Earth, mainly because both are TV spin-offs of popular film franchises. After watching this debut episode, it’s easy to draw several comparisons between the two, particularly in how they attempt to expand the worlds of their respective franchises. These similarities will likely evolve and diverge as the show continues, but honestly, comparing anything to the masterpiece that is Alien: Earth should be seen as a compliment.

One notable aspect of Welcome to Derry is that it features relatively unknown or lesser-known actors. This is a bit of a departure from the direction of the films, especially IT Chapter Two, which featured several household names. That said, the cast here is one of the stronger elements of an otherwise uneven show. This first episode feels somewhat disjointed, seemingly aiming to mystify through its creepier moments rather than building dread through mystery. However, these scenes are still effectively brought to life by the strong performances of the cast.

While the show looks as visually striking as the films that preceded it, it ultimately suffers from uneven direction at times. This is especially evident in the opening scene, where the events feel more plot-driven than character-driven. The series begins with a gory birth sequence surrounded by a deranged family seemingly created by Pennywise to terrify a child. The scene appears to mimic the films’ openings by setting up a horrifying mystery, but instead it feels like an attempt to outdo what came before. By opting for such overt gore, the show sacrifices subtlety and trades the slow build of tension for an immediate burst of shock, followed by a much slower pace.

This structural choice feels odd because the show then shifts to explore the other children’s relationships with Matty, the boy killed by Pennywise in the opening. In a TV format, there’s more room for character development, so presenting the events in this order feels like an unusual creative decision. This becomes even more confusing given that Matty is initially portrayed as a loner, though later scenes show several characters as his friends, undermining the setup and making his death feel inconsistent. The sequence of events here makes the storytelling feel slightly off-balance.

Another element introduced in this episode is the town’s fear of nuclear fallout. Several characters discuss this anxiety, and it’s echoed through background dialogue and setting details. This is clearly meant to create an atmosphere of unease reflective of the era. However, viewers familiar with IT know that this fear pales in comparison to the true monster lurking beneath Derry. Since the show reveals Pennywise early on, the overarching nuclear threat feels more like a historically accurate backdrop than an effective source of tension, ultimately coming across as a forced subplot.

One more odd factor in this show is how it tackles the concept of racism in the 1960s. One character introduced is an African American man in the military who is immediately profiled by one of his subordinates. The ranking officers respond by ridiculing and punishing this subordinate and saying they don’t stand for that behavior. While this seems altruistic and kind of them, it also feels unrealistic for the era. The show then discusses racism again when it is revealed that the African American father of the last person to see Matty was accused repeatedly of murdering him. Although racism is unfortunately still common today, it was much more prevalent in the 1960s, and claiming that those in the military were less racist than others is false.

A major factor drawing attention to this show is director Andy Muschietti. Muschietti directed the IT films, The Flash, and is also slated to direct the new Batman film within James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU. Needless to say, he has significant staying power at Warner Bros., and many are watching Welcome to Derry to see if his work remains consistent with the tone and quality of the earlier IT films. Because The Flash received widespread criticism online, some fans are skeptical of Muschietti’s ability to lead the next Batman project. If you notice people discussing the DCU in the context of IT, that’s why. Muschietti seems to have some fun with this discourse, including two DC comic references within the episode: The Flash #123, a nod to his Flash film and its multiverse storytelling roots, and Detective Comics #298, the first appearance of Matt Hagen’s Clayface, likely a reference to the upcoming Clayface film. These Easter eggs are playful inclusions that reflect Muschietti’s enthusiasm for the DCU he’s soon to help shape.