The prequel to the It duology, titled “It: Welcome to Derry,” has received a mixed critical reception. The series currently holds a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 56 on Metacritic, based on 15 published reviews.
Critics applaud the show’s grim atmosphere, striking cinematography, and strong acting, with many commentators arguing it’s even scarier than the film. At the same time, reviewers note that several episodes are bogged down by excessive—often unnecessary—exposition, some narrative threads begin to fray, and Pennywise appears only intermittently on screen.
“It: Welcome to Derry” will premiere on HBO Max on October 26.
