Welcome to Derry is an HBO miniseries that follows Pennywise the Clown, 27 years before the original book storyline and two IT movies. It is slightly based on the mini storylines within the IT novel, but takes a lot of liberties off of the little source material.
As someone who has seen each IT movie maybe a million times and thoroughly enjoys Stephen King novels, I was very excited for this show. Though, before the show was released, I was wary of the possibility of Welcome to Derry being just another big studio cash grab and held high expectations. When I sat down and watched the first episode right at its release, I was very surprised. It channeled the very specific energy of the overwhelming and sudden horror in King’s works. Welcome to Derry encapsulates the eerie feeling of knowing something is coming and makes your skin crawl immediately.
Welcome to Derry introduces us to the storyline of a missing boy and a group of misfit kids, then kills half of them in the first episode. The show immediately establishes the shocking almost dreadful feeling that shows up time and again in every episode during an attack from Pennywise. With the little time given, the episode executes a full world and plot with in depth characters and interesting dynamics. The next episodes expand the cast and fully develop the characters and gives them full motivations, issues, and personalities. It’s satisfying to see an execution of real people and real issues, (even if it is just for Pennywise to be able to feed on.)
One of the best inclusions in this series is the connections to other materials. It helps support the show and give it a solid background. The character Dick Halloran is introduced as being a part of the military’s case of releasing Pennywise. He is immediately recognizable if you are a fan of King’s work, knowing his obvious role in The Shining, but also his presence at The Black Spot which appears in Welcome to Derry. He plays a crucial role in the show due to his psychic abilities being able to interfere with Pennywise. I found this to be a tasteful and well executed connection in the lore of the two stories. It was interesting to see how they expanded his small role in IT, and used his abilities. Halloran’s bridge between the supernatural threats and real life was so unnerving to switch between, or see through his perspective, it made you feel his discomfort and be able to feel immersed in his insanity.
The other connections in the show were well executed as well, especially the familial ancestors such as the Hanlon family, the Uris family, the Bowers family, and especially the Tozier family. The tactic of Pennywise using his perception of time to place fear in Marge was such an amazing reveal. The disorganized rambling of his reveal to her is so unsettling, seeing as most viewers have seen the previous IT installments, and immediately recognize Richie’s poster. Whether they were introduced by slight hints or full reveals it was so interesting to see the show piece together the Losers Club ancestry.
I found the entirety of Welcome to Derry to carry a pretty solid pacing, other than a tiny amount of filler sections. The show kept me engaged and interested deeply in the lore; I was constantly making connections to other material or compelled by the story. The attack scenes and active moments left me on the edge of my seat. The cinematography and visuals of the first season were impressive as well, from the spot on makeup, to the gore, and the lighting choices. It brought the show together in a solid way.
I hope Welcome to Derry season two can live up to its predecessor, as I was seriously impressed with the first installment. The premise is promising and the show has proven itself to be of quality. I would highly recommend Welcome to Derry to any enjoyers of Stephen King’s novels or movies, or any horror lovers.
