HBO's It: Welcome to Derry, a prequel to the acclaimed 2017 and 2019 It films, draws its intricate narrative from Stephen King’s iconic 1986 novel. Created by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, this psychological horror series masterfully intertwines historical context, supernatural dread, race relations, and intense fear, while exploring the sinister origins of the monstrous Pennywise the Clown, once again portrayed by Bill Skarsgård. Though set in the past, the series presents themes that resonate profoundly in contemporary society.

The narrative begins on a cold, snowy January day in 1962, in the seemingly quaint but deeply troubled town of Derry, Maine. A 12-year-old boy, having been denied entry to a movie theater and unwilling to return to an abusive home, attempts to hitchhike out of town. He is picked up by an unassuming couple, only to quickly realize a gravely sinister situation is unfolding, leaving him powerless to escape. This chilling incident sets a dark tone for the events that follow.

Four months later, U.S. Air Force Major Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) arrives in Derry for his latest assignment, anticipating the arrival of his wife, Charlotte (Taylour Paige), and their 12-year-old son, Will (Blake James). A decorated military pilot, Leroy is stationed at a local Air Force base to work on a top-secret Cold War weapons project. He immediately encounters cold reception from some comrades due to his race but is particularly struck by the base’s oddities, including restricted areas that appear to encroach upon sacred Indigenous grounds. He also notices fellow Black airman Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk) enjoying unexplained privileges and unparalleled access to General Shaw (James Remar).

Elsewhere, at the local high school, Lilly (Clara Stack) returns from a stint in Juniper Hill asylum, facing ostracization. She finds common ground with her Black classmate, Ronnie (Amanda Christine), whose father, Hank (Stephen Rider), the movie theater projectionist, is unfairly blamed for the boy’s disappearance four months prior. Desperate for normalcy and determined to clear her father’s name, Ronnie teams up with Lilly, along with classmates Phil (Jack Molloy) and Teddy (Mikkal Karim-Fidler), to uncover the truth about that snowy January evening. Later joined by Will and Rich (Arian S. Cartaya), this motley crew embarks on a terrifying journey into otherworldly fears, navigating a town where even children cruelly taunt Lilly over her father’s death.

The series excels in thematic depth, expanding beyond the core childhood innocence found in King’s original work to address issues that continually haunt the American experience. Amidst Cold War paranoia, It: Welcome to Derry integrates elements of abuse, racism, psychological trauma, infringement on Indigenous land, and militarization. It boldly critiques societal narrow-mindedness, particularly among adults who fail to recognize children’s plights until confronted with unsettling truths. The show also subverts the 'Magical Negro' trope, emphasizing that Black characters are not obligated to fix broken systems they did not create, highlighting the lingering horrors of Jim Crow-era America.

While the series delivers a worthy expansion of the It universe, its horror effectiveness has received mixed reviews. Knowing Pennywise’s future rampages in 27 years somewhat diminishes suspense. The narrative, jumping between multiple perspectives across the first five episodes, occasionally struggles to cohere into a single, terrifying path, leading to fragmented dread. Director Andy Muschietti demonstrates skill with daylight scares, such as a thrilling chase in sunlit woods, but some of Pennywise’s forms lean more toward Goosebumps than King’s visceral horror. Skarsgård’s limited appearances remain impactful, and while the younger cast performs admirably, they sometimes rely on predictable, trope-heavy dialogue, lacking the chemistry and fully formed dynamics of the film ensemble.

Conversely, the adult storylines are largely considered stronger and more compelling. The arcs of Leroy and Charlotte Hanlon, as they confront stomach-churning revelations on the base and reckon with inherent racism, are particularly impactful. Jovan Adepo delivers a grounded performance as Leroy, a revered military man torn between duty and fear for his family, while Taylour Paige shines as Charlotte, embodying world-weariness and nuanced rejection of societal constraints, anchoring the emotional and cultural stakes. Chris Chalk’s portrayal of Dick Hallorann skillfully matches the esoteric, tortured character seen in The Shining without imitation. Among the younger actors, Clara Stack stands out as Lilly, a child who has endured immense trauma, uniquely positioning her against Pennywise.

Ultimately, It: Welcome to Derry is a satisfying watch for die-hard Stephen King fans, offering an extended universe rich with references, including the Bower Gang and the Indigenous origins of Pennywise. Though it may not consistently deliver the same level of visceral horror as Muschietti’s films, its storytelling merits, driven by powerful performances from Adepo, Paige, and Chalk, and a sharp societal critique, make it a valuable addition to the It saga. The series not only chronicles Pennywise’s emergence but also holds a mirror to society, revealing humanity’s own capacity for horror. It: Welcome to Derry premiered on October 26 on HBO and HBO Max at 9 p.m. ET, with new episodes releasing weekly on Sundays.