Reviews are in for “IT: Welcome to Derry,” the new HBO Max spin-off of the two-film adaptation of the Stephen King novel.
The project serves as a prequel, unfolding in the early 1960s in the period before Pennywise goes into hibernation and re-emerges in the 1980s in the first film.
Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso star while Bill Skarsgård is reprising his role as Pennywise from the first two films.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the series is at 80% from 30 reviews. Here’s a sampling of reviews:
“A masterfully woven and terrifying tale about the origins of the monstrous Pennywise the Clown (portrayed by Bill Skarsgård, as in the movies). The show may be set in the past, but its themes have never echoed louder today.” – Aramide Tinubu, Variety
“Telling a story episodically provides far more room to breathe and grow, if done well. In Welcome to Derry, that extra narrative real estate brings to life not just the titular town but also the overlooked people who populate it.” – Chris Hayner, Polygon
“Welcome to Derry might not win over those unconvinced by Muschietti’s earlier King adaptations, but for those like myself who enjoyed the over-the-top thrills and chills will have a bloody good time with this.” – Tom Percival, Metro
“Returning to Stephen King’s cursed town proves to be a bumpy but engrossing ride.” – Justin Clark, Slant
“Even with a toothy clown waiting in the wings, Welcome to Derry’s most frightening aspects might be its moments of real-world anxiety — heightened by Pennywise’s ambient bad vibes, of course, but still taking place outside the realm of the supernatural.” – Cheryl Eddy, io9
“‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ rests in the category of unnecessary prequels that are engaging enough for fans but fall short of expanding the universe in any meaningful way.” – Karen Peterson, AwardsWatch
“It: Welcome to Derry is a decent attempt at revitalizing the horror, but it desperately needs a boost of energy and would’ve been far better as a single theatrical prequel that didn’t feel like it was wasting its audience’s time.” – Cole Groth, Fandomwire
“An engine fueled by filling in the blanks isn’t built to last, and these dots, once connected, prove tacky and sour.” – Ben Travers, Indiewire
The first season of “IT: Welcome to Derry” premieres this Sunday, October 26th. Seven episodes in total have been produced and will air weekly.
