HBO's Newest Horror Series Takes Youth Terror to Unprecedented Levels
The debut of Welcome to Derry this weekend transports viewers once again to the early 1960s, where a new group of youngsters faces an ancient, fear-eating jester. Considering the first It story centered significantly around adolescents in danger, it's unsurprising that this series follows a similar path. However, Welcome to Derry ramps up the horror even more than the latest films, establishing its brutal tone faster than anyone might expect.
A Chilling Beginning in a Cursed City
The series kicks off on a wintry winter night in the cursed town of Derry, Maine, taking place in 1962. Following getting thrown out of a cinema for sneaking in and declining to return home to his violent parents, a 12-year-old boy (the young actor) clutches his pacifier for solace while hitchhiking out of town. After he's finally given a ride, the chilled boy accepts. Very soon, however, for him to understand the scale of his error.
We will stop at this point to prevent spoiling any details from the installment. Suffice to state that Welcome to Derry acts quickly in showing just how graphic and frightening the program will be, especially regarding the brutality inflicted on children in the town.
From start to finish, the series' debut episode proves its creators aren't afraid to "go there," to the extent that it probably ought to come with a content advisory for those uncomfortable to aggression involving young people; it's truly that disturbing.
A New Approach to Horror
Executive producer the series' lead has previously compared Pennywise to the predator from Jaws, a creature revealed in brief looks that builds toward a major climax. In Welcome to Derry, however, the emphasis shifts toward more shapeshifting terrors evocative of King's original book. Thanks to the extended duration and prestige of an HBO series, the program is patient delving into these terrors instead of rushing to highlight the clown, resulting in a more unsettling, heightened fright than the 2017 and 2019 adaptations.
Is It For You?
Every audience member with even a passing familiarity of It should know what they're in for when it comes to violence toward children, but Welcome to Derry cranks the volume up to 11 when compared to the miniseries and even the films. Considering this, it deserves a public service announcement if those versions are where one draws the line. Nevertheless, It: Welcome to Derry is an superb series with a first episode that's a ideal watch for the Halloween season.
- Explicit violence involving children
- Longer episode length for more profound fear building
- Increased shapeshifting monsters from the original novel
- Sets a more grim atmosphere than earlier adaptations
