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In 1990, the TV miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s It caused kids everywhere (and plenty of grown-ups, too) to lose sleep, haunted by terrifying images of creepy, murderous clowns. And now the big-screen adaptation is set to do the same thing for a new generation of terrified viewers.
It journeys to the town of Derry, Maine, in the midst of a terrifying tragedy. After little Georgie (Jackson Robert Scott) goes missing one rainy day—just the first missing child of many—his older brother, Bill (Jaeden Lieberher), becomes determined to find him back. As the summer begins, he convinces his friends to search the tunnels that run beneath the city. But, one by one, they’re haunted by a terrifying clown called Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård), who gets his strength from children’s greatest fears. And they learn that they’ll have to work together and face their fears in order to survive.
Set in the late ‘80s, this chilling remake was carefully crafted to feel like a classic ‘80s adventure—right down to its stripped-down, old school effects. It’s reminiscent of movies like The Goonies or King’s Stand By Me, which focused on the strength and camaraderie of a band of young friends. And that camaraderie is here, too, with the (mostly) lovable young characters. Each one has his or her own hurts and fears, which gives the film some surprising moments of sweetness and drama, too. And when they team up to confront their fears and save their quiet little town, audiences will cheer them on. In fact, if it weren’t for the murderous clown that terrorizes nearly every scene, the film would be quite charming.
But, of course, there is a murderous clown—one who pops up in every gutter and drain, ready to feed off the kids’ worst fears. And that makes the film relentlessly intense—the kind of movie that will leave every member of the audience with tense, aching muscles from clutching the armrests in horrified anticipation.
Meanwhile, though it’s never easy remaking a beloved film, most of the pressure falls on Bill Skarsgård, who gives his own take on the role of Pennywise. Admittedly, fans of the original may miss Tim Curry, whose haunting performance as Pennywise has been burned into our memories for the last 27 years. But Skarsgård’s dark and creepy clown—with his piercing eyes and wide grin—still guarantees plenty of sleepless nights.
If you still remember the terrors of the original It miniseries, you won’t be disappointed by the new adaptation. It’s a classic Stephen King thriller that’s sure to haunt your dreams.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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