HBO's 'IT: Welcome to Derry' debuts Sunday with strong reviews

HBO's prequel series "IT: Welcome to Derry" premieres October 26 with a 79% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 42 critics, positioning it between the 2017 film's 85% and the 2019 sequel's 62%koimoi+1.
Set in 1962, twenty-seven years before the 2017 film, the series follows a family moving to Derry, Maine as children begin to mysteriously vanish, with Bill Skarsgård returning as Pennywise the Clown alongside stars Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, and Chris Chalkkoimoi+1.
Critics have praised the Stephen King adaptation as "precision-tooled prestige horror," with Variety calling it "a masterfully woven and terrifying tale" and NME awarding it 4/5 starsindiatoday+1.
Some reviewers noted concerns that the series' fragmented narrative across multiple characters makes "the dread that should be pulsing through the narrative feels fragmented and neutered," according to Collider's Emma Kielyindiatoday+1.
The eight-episode season will run through mid-December on HBO and HBO Max, with the show streaming on JioHotstar starting October 27koimoi+1.

HBO's highly anticipated prequel series "IT: Welcome to Derry" debuts this Sunday with impressive critical acclaim, earning an 79% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Stephen King horror series, premiering October 26 at 9 PM ET on HBO and HBO Max, has garnered praise from critics for its chilling exploration of Pennywise's origins and the dark history of Derry, Maine.indiatoday+2

Critics Praise "Prestige Horror" Production

Set in 1962, twenty-seven years before the events of Andy Muschietti's 2017 "IT" film, "Welcome to Derry" follows the Hanlon family as they encounter the supernatural terror plaguing the fictional Maine town. Variety's Aramide Tinubu called the series "a masterfully woven and terrifying tale about the origins of the monstrous Pennywise the Clown", while NME's James Mottram gave it 4/5 stars, describing it as "precision-tooled prestige horror".indiatoday+3

Bill Skarsgård returns as the iconic Pennywise, joining a cast that includes Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, and Clara Stack. Critics have particularly praised Skarsgård's more psychological approach to the character, with The Standard noting that "Pennywise is primally scary in a way which the other show hasn't quite managed, even with Vecna".koimoi+2

Mixed Reception on Storytelling Structure

While the series has received mostly positive reviews, some critics have noted concerns about its narrative structure. Emma Kiely of Collider wrote that "with so many different characters, that dread that should be pulsing through the narrative feels fragmented and neutered". Nicholas Quah from New York Magazine's Vulture criticized the show for having "too many characters drawn too superficially".indiatoday+2

However, even less enthusiastic reviews acknowledge the series' production quality. The Daily Beast's Nick Schager, despite calling it "the worst King adaptation in several years," and The Hollywood Reporter's review noting it relies on "repetition rather than inventive storytelling", critics generally agree the show succeeds in expanding Stephen King's universe with strong performances and atmospheric horror.hollywoodreporter+1

The eight-episode first season will air weekly through December 14, with plans for three total seasons exploring different periods in Derry's cursed history. The series places the 79% score between the original 2017 "IT" film's 85% and "IT: Chapter Two's" 62% rating, suggesting a return to form for the franchise.koimoi+3

Sources (35)