IT: Welcome To Derry Review — Horror Gets Political and Personal in a Chilling Prequel

Rating: ★★★★☆

Release Date: October 26, 2025

Streaming on: JioHotstar

A Darker, Smarter Look at Derry’s Origins

Stephen King’s universe expands once again with IT: Welcome To Derry, a spine-chilling prequel that trades jump scares for something far more insidious — the evil that festers in human hearts. Set in 1962, decades before the events of IT, the new series shifts the spotlight from the iconic Losers’ Club to the cursed town itself.

From the very first scene, Welcome To Derry makes it clear this isn’t just another monster story. The Cold War paranoia, racial prejudice, and social unrest of the 1960s serve as the perfect breeding ground for the horrors that lurk beneath the surface — and for Pennywise’s malevolent influence to take root.

A Brutal, Bold Opening

The premiere episode wastes no time setting a grim tone. We meet young Matty Clements, whose ill-fated attempt to flee Derry leads to a deeply disturbing sequence involving a car ride gone wrong — culminating in one of the most grotesque creature scenes ever seen in King’s adaptations. It’s shocking, visceral, and unflinchingly bold.

When Matty’s friends — Lilly, Teddy, Phil, and Susie — search for him at the Capital Theatre, what unfolds is pure nightmare fuel. The climactic massacre, as a monstrous entity tears through the screen, firmly establishes that this series plays by its own terrifying rules. Clara Stack delivers a standout performance as Lilly, perfectly capturing youthful trauma amid chaos.

Real-World Horror Meets Supernatural Dread

The real emotional anchor of the series lies in the story of Major Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) and his wife Charlotte (Taylour Paige). Their arrival in Derry — and the racism Leroy faces as a Black Air Force officer in 1960s Maine — injects the story with a sharp, uncomfortable realism.

The series thrives on this intersection of social and supernatural horror. Leroy’s battles with institutional prejudice and growing paranoia mirror the town’s own descent into madness. In Derry, the monster isn’t just Pennywise — it’s the town’s history of hate and denial.

A Clever Expansion of the Stephen King Universe

Fans of King’s interconnected world will appreciate the subtle inclusion of Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk), the psychic cook from The Shining. His presence ties Derry’s evil to the wider King mythos, suggesting a deeper, more universal darkness at work.

Interestingly, Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) barely appears in the first episode. Instead, his presence is felt — in eerie whispers, distant laughter, and fleeting glimpses — evoking the slow-burn dread of Jaws. It’s a refreshing, suspense-driven approach that allows the terror to simmer.

Verdict: A Haunting, Intelligent Horror Return

Though a few CGI moments are on the ragged side, IT: Welcome To Derry captivates with powerful performances, taut direction, and layered storytelling. So much less about the clown and more about the town — and the psychological-societal horror which provides an incubator for monsters.

Now, this is no rehash, it is an ingenious re-installation. Smart, atmospheric, and biting in its relevance, Welcome to Derry marks one of the most potent adaptations of King in years, as well as a perfect binge for the Halloween season.

⭐ Final Verdict: Dark, ambitious, and deeply unsettling — “IT: Welcome To Derry” proves true horror begins at home.