“IT: Welcome to Derry” was a highly anticipated TV series that aimed to expand on the already successful “IT” movie franchise. With Andy Muschietti returning as a producer after directing the two recent films, many fans expected the show to uphold the same quality and emotional depth. However, despite the excitement surrounding its release, many viewers found the series to be more of a commercial attempt than a meaningful continuation of Stephen King’s original story.
Critics largely agree that the show is mediocre. Ratings on sites like Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb hover around 78%, not terrible, but not strong enough to leave a memorable impact. These lukewarm responses left many Pennywise fans wondering what went wrong and why the series feels so different from the beloved films. Reflecting the show’s Hunter Rogers ’28 said, “Overall, I was able to just back and enjoy the show, even though there were some cringy moments.”
After watching the show, several issues become clear. One of the biggest problems is the lack of chemistry among the new cast. While Muschietti was able to draw emotional, believable performances from the young actors in the 2017 film, the child actors in “Welcome to Derry” don’t create the same connection with viewers. Performances from Jack Molloy Legault and Clara Stack often come across as stiff or unnatural, especially when compared to Jaeden Martell and Wyatt Oleff, who brought genuine tension and heart to their roles in the original movie. Without that emotional pull, the series struggles to make viewers truly care about the characters.
Another issue is the show’s reliance on clichés. Although the plot has moments of excitement and a few solid scares, these are frequently overshadowed by awkward writing or jokes that unintentionally break the tension. Instead of enhancing the horror, these moments highlight weaknesses in the script rather than flaws in any single actor’s delivery. Joquain Gonzalez ’28, a dedicated fan of the “IT” franchise, shared, “I understand the want for more ‘IT’ films and more Pennywise, but that isn’t what Stephen King intended. He wrote one book. Not ‘Welcome to Derry,’ and that is where the show falls short: it’s because King didn’t write it.”
Despite its flaws, the show continues to release new episodes, leaving room for improvement. Fans hope the remaining episodes can build better character connections, reduce the clichés and deliver the deliver the chilling horror the iconic franchise is known for.
