IT: Welcome to Derry: Pennywise Like You’ve Never Seen Before

The Pennywise in this show is on a completely different level compared to the movies. He makes Vecna from Stranger Things look like Mickey Mouse. I honestly can’t think of another movie or series that portrays an entity tormenting kids through psychological warfare as effectively as this one.

The kids deliver strong performances across the board, but the real standout is Dick, played by Chris Chalk, who brings surprising depth and gravitas to the role. While the first half of the season has a few episodes that drag, the second half is much stronger, picking up momentum and dialing the freaky, gruesome elements up to eleven.

Andy Muschietti proves once again that he’s a master of horror. His direction visualizes fear in a way that feels deeply personal, tapping directly into your phobias and psyche, especially when paired with the haunting score. The finale lands beautifully, delivering a satisfying conclusion for one character while also leaving a chilling cliffhanger that brings the entire IT universe full circle in a way I didn’t see coming.