USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change.'IT' prequel 'Welcome to Derry' is terrifically terrifying in every way Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY October 23, 2025 at 6:51 PM 0 This is how you do "IT.
- - USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change.'IT' prequel 'Welcome to Derry' is terrifically terrifying in every way
Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY October 23, 2025 at 6:51 PM
0
This is how you do "IT."
Fans of Stephen King's epic 1986 horror novel may have been worried when Warner Bros. and HBO announced "IT: Welcome to Derry," a prequel series set in the Maine town terrorized by the sometimes clown-based evil entity. Even though the show is from Andy Muschietti, the director behind the 2017 and 2019 "IT" films, and brings back Bill Skarsgard's acclaimed version of Pennywise the Clown, it's hard not to be worried about the prospect of a beloved story getting any kind of profit-driven "extension" to the universe. Especially with the underwhelming run of prequels Hollywood has churned out lately.
Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise in "IT: Welcome to Derry."
But thankfully, "Derry" (Sundays, 9 ET/PT, ★★★½ out of four) is not a soulless addendum, but an untapped spring of terror and blood that remains true to the soul of King's work while throwing in Easter eggs, new twists and familiar faces (including one very familiar, white-painted face). Set in 1962 and steeped in mid-century suburban fantasy as much as the mysticism of "IT," "Derry" packs its scares with some thoughtful meditations about race and Americana. If you enjoyed the films, the series certainly won't disappoint. If you've never encountered "IT" before, you'll be intrigued to learn more. And whoever you are, you will absolutely be frightened.
A passing knowledge of "IT" is helpful for watching "Derry," but if your only awareness is via oft-seen Halloween costumes, the series does good work establishing the mythos of Derry all on its own. The first episode wastes no time getting to the terror, from jump scares to body horror to some of the grosser monsters and set pieces this side of "Stranger Things." We're introduced to the seemingly idyllic Maine town at the same time Major Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) arrives there. An Air Force pilot transferred to the Derry base with his wife Charlotte (Taylour Paige) and preteen son Will (Blake Cameron James), he just wants to shrug off his traumatic time in the Korean War, rise in the ranks of his service and bond with his nerdy kid. He wants normalcy, as he says outright.
Taylour Paige as Charlotte, Blake Cameron James as Will and Jovan Adepo as Major Leroy Hanlon in "IT: Welcome to Derry."
At first, everything appears totally normal, an almost hazy American Dream for the Hanlons, barring a few openly racist glances the Black family gets as they move into their charming saltbox house. But the darkness seeps into the sunny town's streets, as children go missing and violence fills the nights. Unfortunate outcast kids Lilly (Clara Stack), Ronnie (Amanda Christine), Phil (Jack Molloy Legault) and Terry (Mikkal Karim Fidler) are at the center of the mysterious disappearances and the supernatural horrors, to their very poor luck and dismay of the adults in their lives.
Bestselling author Stephen King, shown in a 1970 file photo.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/G6OHWLP class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Bestselling author Stephen King, shown in a 1970 file photo.
">Bestselling author Stephen King, shown in a 1970 file photo.
" src=https://ift.tt/G6OHWLP class=caas-img>Stephen King answers questions at the Davis-Kidd Booksellers bookstore in Green Hills in 1994, during his "Insomnia" book tour.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/sm19E7p class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King answers questions at the Davis-Kidd Booksellers bookstore in Green Hills in 1994, during his "Insomnia" book tour.
">Stephen King answers questions at the Davis-Kidd Booksellers bookstore in Green Hills in 1994, during his "Insomnia" book tour.
" src=https://ift.tt/sm19E7p class=caas-img>Stephen King hops onto his Harley-Davidson to leave Nashville, one of 10 stops on his 4,300-mile tour to promote his book, "Insomnia" and independent bookstores.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/kZVUaPW class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King hops onto his Harley-Davidson to leave Nashville, one of 10 stops on his 4,300-mile tour to promote his book, "Insomnia" and independent bookstores.
">Stephen King hops onto his Harley-Davidson to leave Nashville, one of 10 stops on his 4,300-mile tour to promote his book, "Insomnia" and independent bookstores.
" src=https://ift.tt/kZVUaPW class=caas-img>Stephen King, author, photographed at the Little League baseball stadium he built in 1998.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/dHYGn7p class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King, author, photographed at the Little League baseball stadium he built in 1998.
">Stephen King, author, photographed at the Little League baseball stadium he built in 1998.
" src=https://ift.tt/dHYGn7p class=caas-img>Stephen King is greeted by actor Michael Clarke Duncan at the premiere of the film "The Green Mile" in 1999.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/eu1VI6H class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King is greeted by actor Michael Clarke Duncan at the premiere of the film "The Green Mile" in 1999.
">Stephen King is greeted by actor Michael Clarke Duncan at the premiere of the film "The Green Mile" in 1999.
" src=https://ift.tt/eu1VI6H class=caas-img>Stephen King poses in New York City before performing with rock charity supergroup The Rock Bottom Remainders in 2001.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/AFRD6jy class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King poses in New York City before performing with rock charity supergroup The Rock Bottom Remainders in 2001.
">Stephen King poses in New York City before performing with rock charity supergroup The Rock Bottom Remainders in 2001.
" src=https://ift.tt/AFRD6jy class=caas-img>Stephen King arrives for the Los Angeles premiere of the film "The Manchurian Candidate" in 2004.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/JC7L9K5 class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King arrives for the Los Angeles premiere of the film "The Manchurian Candidate" in 2004.
">Stephen King arrives for the Los Angeles premiere of the film "The Manchurian Candidate" in 2004.
" src=https://ift.tt/JC7L9K5 class=caas-img>"Misery" by Stephen King
" data-src=https://ift.tt/HNfLb2J class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
"Misery" by Stephen King
">"Misery" by Stephen King
" src=https://ift.tt/HNfLb2J class=caas-img>Stephen King and Amy Tan appear together at the 2002 New Yorker Festival.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/sp9LoMO class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King and Amy Tan appear together at the 2002 New Yorker Festival.
">Stephen King and Amy Tan appear together at the 2002 New Yorker Festival.
" src=https://ift.tt/sp9LoMO class=caas-img>Stephen King attends a benefit reading for Frank Muller at Town Hall in 2002 in New York City. Actor and audiobook narrator Frank Muller sustained debilitating injuries in a motorcycle accident in November 2001. The event raised funds to assist in meeting the immediate needs of Muller and his family.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/uUB6Mcw class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King attends a benefit reading for Frank Muller at Town Hall in 2002 in New York City. Actor and audiobook narrator Frank Muller sustained debilitating injuries in a motorcycle accident in November 2001. The event raised funds to assist in meeting the immediate needs of Muller and his family.
">Stephen King attends a benefit reading for Frank Muller at Town Hall in 2002 in New York City. Actor and audiobook narrator Frank Muller sustained debilitating injuries in a motorcycle accident in November 2001. The event raised funds to assist in meeting the immediate needs of Muller and his family.
" src=https://ift.tt/uUB6Mcw class=caas-img>Stephen King and actor Donnie Wahlberg greet each other at the premiere of Dreamcatcher and the afterparty in 2003.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/UE0ij9h class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King and actor Donnie Wahlberg greet each other at the premiere of Dreamcatcher and the afterparty in 2003.
">Stephen King and actor Donnie Wahlberg greet each other at the premiere of Dreamcatcher and the afterparty in 2003.
" src=https://ift.tt/UE0ij9h class=caas-img>J.K. Rowling and Stephen King attend a news conference for "An Evening With Harry, Carrie and Garp," a reading with Rowling, King and John Irving in 2006.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/lTs8cDK class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
J.K. Rowling and Stephen King attend a news conference for "An Evening With Harry, Carrie and Garp," a reading with Rowling, King and John Irving in 2006.
">J.K. Rowling and Stephen King attend a news conference for "An Evening With Harry, Carrie and Garp," a reading with Rowling, King and John Irving in 2006.
" src=https://ift.tt/lTs8cDK class=caas-img>Stephen King (R) speaks at the Amazon Fishbowl with Bill Maher during the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/MHuTFtJ class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King (R) speaks at the Amazon Fishbowl with Bill Maher during the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.
">Stephen King (R) speaks at the Amazon Fishbowl with Bill Maher during the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.
" src=https://ift.tt/MHuTFtJ class=caas-img>Stephen King attends a signing session for his new novel "Lisey's Story" at Borders bookstore in 2006 in London, England.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/JTH0C51 class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King attends a signing session for his new novel "Lisey's Story" at Borders bookstore in 2006 in London, England.
">Stephen King attends a signing session for his new novel "Lisey's Story" at Borders bookstore in 2006 in London, England.
" src=https://ift.tt/JTH0C51 class=caas-img>"Duma Key" by Stephen King.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/3iKVgZS class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
"Duma Key" by Stephen King.
">"Duma Key" by Stephen King.
" src=https://ift.tt/3iKVgZS class=caas-img>Stephen King performs with rock charity supergroup the Rock Bottom Remainders in 2007
" data-src=https://ift.tt/BDCgGvd class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King performs with rock charity supergroup the Rock Bottom Remainders in 2007
">Stephen King performs with rock charity supergroup the Rock Bottom Remainders in 2007
" src=https://ift.tt/BDCgGvd class=caas-img>Stephen King poses for a portrait in 2008 for his new novel, "Duma Key," which borrows from his own life as it follows a man surviving a life-threatening accident. In 1999, King survived a hit by a drunk driver.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/oV0UH4m class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King poses for a portrait in 2008 for his new novel, "Duma Key," which borrows from his own life as it follows a man surviving a life-threatening accident. In 1999, King survived a hit by a drunk driver.
">Stephen King poses for a portrait in 2008 for his new novel, "Duma Key," which borrows from his own life as it follows a man surviving a life-threatening accident. In 1999, King survived a hit by a drunk driver.
" src=https://ift.tt/oV0UH4m class=caas-img>Stephen King promotes "Under The Dome" at the North Point Boulevard Walmart in Dundalk, Maryland in 2009.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/iShox9v class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King promotes "Under The Dome" at the North Point Boulevard Walmart in Dundalk, Maryland in 2009.
">Stephen King promotes "Under The Dome" at the North Point Boulevard Walmart in Dundalk, Maryland in 2009.
" src=https://ift.tt/iShox9v class=caas-img>Stephen King holds up a pink Amazon Kindle 2 at a news conference in New York where the device was introduced in 2009.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/m1j3CSd class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King holds up a pink Amazon Kindle 2 at a news conference in New York where the device was introduced in 2009.
">Stephen King holds up a pink Amazon Kindle 2 at a news conference in New York where the device was introduced in 2009.
" src=https://ift.tt/m1j3CSd class=caas-img>Stephen King in 2011 at the 6th Floor Museum near the location where Lee Harvey Oswald fired fatal shots at John F. Kennedy. King's novel "11/22/63" is about a man who goes back in time hoping to stop the assassination.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/EKjTg2I class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King in 2011 at the 6th Floor Museum near the location where Lee Harvey Oswald fired fatal shots at John F. Kennedy. King's novel "11/22/63" is about a man who goes back in time hoping to stop the assassination.
">Stephen King in 2011 at the 6th Floor Museum near the location where Lee Harvey Oswald fired fatal shots at John F. Kennedy. King's novel "11/22/63" is about a man who goes back in time hoping to stop the assassination.
" src=https://ift.tt/EKjTg2I class=caas-img>Stephen King in 2013 in Paris before a book signing event dedicated to the release of his "Doctor Sleep", the sequel to his 1977 novel "The Shining."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FsUotpr class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King in 2013 in Paris before a book signing event dedicated to the release of his "Doctor Sleep", the sequel to his 1977 novel "The Shining."
">Stephen King in 2013 in Paris before a book signing event dedicated to the release of his "Doctor Sleep", the sequel to his 1977 novel "The Shining."
" src=https://ift.tt/FsUotpr class=caas-img>Stephen King's new book "Doctor Sleep," the sequel to his 1977 novel "The Shining," displayed in Paris.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/PkbGMir class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King's new book "Doctor Sleep," the sequel to his 1977 novel "The Shining," displayed in Paris.
">Stephen King's new book "Doctor Sleep," the sequel to his 1977 novel "The Shining," displayed in Paris.
" src=https://ift.tt/PkbGMir class=caas-img>Stephen King arrives for a press conference for his new book "Doctor Sleep" in 2013.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/VpH5mIS class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King arrives for a press conference for his new book "Doctor Sleep" in 2013.
">Stephen King arrives for a press conference for his new book "Doctor Sleep" in 2013.
" src=https://ift.tt/VpH5mIS class=caas-img>Stephen King (center) takes in the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins game at Fenway Park in Boston in 2014.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/KnqvO9u class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King (center) takes in the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins game at Fenway Park in Boston in 2014.
">Stephen King (center) takes in the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins game at Fenway Park in Boston in 2014.
" src=https://ift.tt/KnqvO9u class=caas-img>Stephen King takes a photo with a fan before the start of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston in 2018.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/mLae2H8 class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King takes a photo with a fan before the start of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston in 2018.
">Stephen King takes a photo with a fan before the start of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston in 2018.
" src=https://ift.tt/mLae2H8 class=caas-img>Former President Barack Obama presents Stephen King with the National Medal of Arts during a ceremony at the White House in 2015.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/oJELH7S class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Former President Barack Obama presents Stephen King with the National Medal of Arts during a ceremony at the White House in 2015.
">Former President Barack Obama presents Stephen King with the National Medal of Arts during a ceremony at the White House in 2015.
" src=https://ift.tt/oJELH7S class=caas-img>Stephen King attends a special screening of "IT" in Bangor, Maine in 2017.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/w2Dr1hs class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King attends a special screening of "IT" in Bangor, Maine in 2017.
">Stephen King attends a special screening of "IT" in Bangor, Maine in 2017.
" src=https://ift.tt/w2Dr1hs class=caas-img>Stephen King attends the 2018 PEN Literary Gala at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/obhTZR6 class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King attends the 2018 PEN Literary Gala at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
">Stephen King attends the 2018 PEN Literary Gala at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
" src=https://ift.tt/obhTZR6 class=caas-img>Stephen King signs autographs after stepping out of US District Court in Washington, D.C. in 2022. King testified for the US government in an antitrust case involving publishers' merging.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/eu6RzsU class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King signs autographs after stepping out of US District Court in Washington, D.C. in 2022. King testified for the US government in an antitrust case involving publishers' merging.
">Stephen King signs autographs after stepping out of US District Court in Washington, D.C. in 2022. King testified for the US government in an antitrust case involving publishers' merging.
" src=https://ift.tt/eu6RzsU class=caas-img>Stephen King and actress Kate Siegel attend the premiere of "The Life of Chuck" during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/z7Qua1k class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King and actress Kate Siegel attend the premiere of "The Life of Chuck" during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
">Stephen King and actress Kate Siegel attend the premiere of "The Life of Chuck" during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
" src=https://ift.tt/z7Qua1k class=caas-img>
1 / 30Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books
Bestselling author Stephen King, shown in a 1970 file photo.
It's hard to say too much else without spoiling the many twists the show takes, at least in the first five episodes made available for review. If this sounds too much like a rehash of the lovable "Losers Club" of the original book and film, fear not: These kids, and what they experience, are familiar but not a carbon copy of what has come before. Fans of the book and films know that the yellow-eyed entity of all of our nightmares appears in Derry every 27 years. The HBO series simply turns back the clock to the kids who came just before the "Losers" of the original. And perhaps even further than that.
Lilly (Clara Stack), Terry (Mikkal Karim Fidler) and Phil (Jack Molloy Legault) in "IT: Welcome to Derry."
Creators Jason Fuchs, Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti keep the series fast-paced and gripping, balancing the jump scares and psychological horror with the quieter but no-less important moments. In its eerie, uncomfortable depiction of Derry as a toxic version of the all-American town, the series is sometimes more powerful than when Pennywise jumps at the screen.
"Derry" has a distinct point of view, aesthetic and rhythm to it that is very easy to get lost in. Though you won't be in a dark theater with other moviegoers, you'll still find yourself screeching from your couch or bed with every appearance of the thing they call "IT," whether in the form of Skarsgard's even-scarier Pennywise or another monstrosity the creators concocted for our nightmares.
Warning: Perhaps you're better off not watching in bed, after all.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'IT: Welcome to Derry' is terrifically terrifying (review)
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