HBO's IT: Welcome to Derry Redefines Horror Prequel with Dark New Episodes

The HBO Max series "It: Welcome to Derry" serves as a prequel to the 2017 and 2019 "It" movies, exploring the town of Derry decades before Pennywise's 1989 terror. The show introduces a new Losers' Club searching for their missing friend Matty Clements, but takes a shocking turn by killing off the initial group of children thought to be the main cast in its first episode, signaling that "nothing is safe in this world." The horror intensifies with unique scares, including a disturbing pickle aisle sequence exploiting a character's traumatic family history, demonstrating the series' fresh approach to fear. Additionally, the show contains nostalgic nods to Stephen King's novel and director Andy Muschietti's previous work, such as a comic book reference to Muschietti's 2023 film "The Flash." These elements combine to create a chilling atmosphere that both honors and expands the Pennywise mythology, while introducing new characters to follow moving forward.