Image Credits: © HBO Max via IMDb
On Oct. 26, 2025, a popular horror franchise made its eagerly anticipated return in the first episode of “It: Welcome to Derry.” Set in the fictional, supernatural, tragedy-ridden town of Derry, Maine, the story follows several middle-school-age characters who become friends from their shared experiences being targeted by the notorious, “Pennywise the Dancing Clown.” Otherwise known as “Pennywise,” he is the primary antagonist who returns to Derry every 27 years to terrorize children. Additionally, the children unite over their respective experiences being bullied, ultimately deeming themselves the “Losers Club.” As a major fan of the 2017 and 2019 film adaptations, I’ve been looking forward to the prequel series for months. Now, it’s finally time to see if it matches up to its predecessors – the novel, the 1990 miniseries and the 2017 and 2019 films – or if it flops.
Before delving into the specifics, I want to issue a general spoiler warning for the 2017 film, informally referred to as “Chapter One.” I won’t spoil the series, but I will reference events from the first film.
New Characters and Plot
If you’re a fan of the Stephen King novel, you’ll know that the “Losers Club” plotline takes place in the 1950s, but the film adaptations are set in the 1980s. Following the 27-year timeline, Pennywise’s last visit to Derry before 1989 took place in 1962, which is when the prequel takes place. Unfortunately, this means the well-loved Losers Club characters are not present in the prequel. For many, the Losers are quintessential to the success of any adaptation. However, I am fascinated by the 27-year timeline, especially Pennywise’s referenced returns in “Chapter One,” such as the 1908 explosive Easter Egg Hunt.
Despite knowing nothing could top the Losers Club for me, I tried to keep an open mind with the new characters. The show centers around Lilly Bainbridge, whose father died one year prior to the start of the show. Throughout the episode, we meet other potential main characters, Ronnie Grogan, Phil Maulkin and Teddy Uris – yes, you read that last word correctly. Teddy seems to be an ancestor of Losers Club member Stanley Uris, though it’s unclear how he’s related to him.
Although I’m intrigued by their respective backstories, many of the new characters’ personalities are too similar to those of the Losers Club. The most obvious example is Phil, whose personality is nearly identical to that of Richie Tozier – ADHD-coded, dirty-minded and oblivious. Richie is kind at heart, though, as I’m sure Phil is, too. Meanwhile, despite Teddy being a Uris, his personality is different enough from Stanley’s that the family connection isn’t too similar for me.
The plot, however, echoes that of “Chapter One,” with some minor differences. For example, the episode starts with a flashback scene, where Matty Clements disappears without a trace. Sound familiar? In “Chapter One,” Bill Denbrough’s brother, Georgie, suffers the same fate. Several months later, he’s convinced Georgie is still alive. Similarly, in the show, Lilly is the first to believe Matty could still be out there.
New Time Period
As the show is set in 1962, it focuses on a different time period than the film. During the early 1960s, the United States was filled with a constant air of uncertainty amidst the Cold War. Amidst imminent nuclear threats looming over the country, the last thing Derry needs is an Air Force base, but here we are. This new plot point introduces a new main character, Major Leroy Hanlon. I look forward to seeing more of his narrative and how it might connect to the Pennywise plotline.
My Overall Opinion
I have an inherent bias when it comes to “It: Chapter One” as it’s one of my favorite films of all time. Therefore, I was both eagerly anticipating and somewhat dreading the miniseries as I had no idea what to expect. On the one hand, I couldn’t wait to return to the world of Derry; on the other hand, I knew it wouldn’t hold up to the films due to my subjective opinions. Essentially, in my mind, the miniseries had two possible outcomes – becoming a new favorite or a major disappointment.
Upon watching the new episode, I still don’t have enough data to predict whether it’ll be a favorite, but I can say I thoroughly enjoyed it. Despite the inherent similarities to “Chapter One,” I know the show is in good hands with developers Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs, all of whom were involved in the “It” films. Additionally, Bill Skarsgård, best known for his role as Pennywise, is set to make an eventual appearance.
Whether you’re a fan of Stephen King’s “It,” the 1990 miniseries of the same name and/or “Chapter One” and “Chapter Two,” you’re in for a treat with the new prequel series, as long as you keep an open mind with the new characters.
Charlotte Ruth is a third-year English major with minors in Creative Writing and Italian Studies.