Welcome To MovieAnimeX ! When people search for “IT: Welcome to Derry Season 1 review”, what they really want to know is simple:
Is it worth watching? Does it respect the legacy of IT? And does Pennywise still feel terrifying?
The short answer: Yes — but in a very different way.
IT: Welcome to Derry is not just a horror series; it’s a psychological exploration of fear, trauma, and a cursed town that never truly escapes evil. This Season 1 review breaks down everything you need to know — story, horror, performances, pacing, and how it connects to the IT movies — without wasting your time.
Table of Contents
Ratings
- MovieAnimeX:- 8/10
- IMDb:- 8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score:- 79%
- Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score:- 80%
What Is IT: Welcome to Derry About?
IT: Welcome to Derry is a prequel series set decades before IT (2017) and IT: Chapter Two (2019). Instead of focusing on one group like the Losers’ Club, the series explores Derry itself — the town where fear is inherited, ignored, and repeated.
Pennywise isn’t just hunting kids here.
He is infecting the town’s mindset, feeding on silence, denial, and generational trauma.
This shift in focus is what makes the series unique.
Storytelling & Narrative Style
Season 1 takes a slow-burn approach. If you expect nonstop jump scares, this may surprise you.
The story unfolds through:
- Multiple families
- Children experiencing unexplainable events
- Adults who sense something is wrong but choose to look away
Instead of loud horror, the show relies on:
- Psychological tension
- Creeping dread
- Emotional discomfort
Each episode adds another layer to Derry’s dark history, making the town feel like a character itself.
👉 This storytelling style rewards patient viewers.
Pennywise: Less Screams, More Fear
Pennywise in Welcome to Derry is less flashy but more disturbing.
He:
- Appears sparingly
- Watches more than he attacks
- Manipulates fear instead of chasing it
This version of Pennywise feels ancient and calculated, not just a monster but a force that understands human weakness.
By limiting his screen time, the show makes every appearance more impactful — a smart creative choice.
Horror: Psychological Over Physical
The horror in Season 1 is rooted in:
- Childhood fear
- Parental neglect
- Social silence
- Unspoken trauma
Instead of relying heavily on CGI monsters, the series uses:
- Dark imagery
- Unsettling sound design
- Long, quiet moments that make you uncomfortable
Some scenes stay with you not because they’re scary — but because they feel wrong.
This is horror that creeps into your head rather than jumps at your face.
Performances & Characters
The child actors are the heart of the show.
Their performances feel:
- Natural
- Emotionally grounded
- Relatable
You believe their fear, confusion, and curiosity. The adults, meanwhile, are intentionally distant — reinforcing the theme that Derry protects evil by ignoring it.
No single character overshadows the story. Instead, the ensemble cast strengthens the world-building, making Derry feel lived-in and real.
Pacing: The Only Weak Spot
Let’s be honest — the pacing isn’t perfect.
Some episodes feel slower than necessary, especially in the middle of the season. A few subplots take longer to pay off, which might test viewers expecting fast horror.
However:
- The slow pace helps build atmosphere
- The finale makes the buildup worth it
If you enjoy slow-burn horror like The Haunting of Hill House, this won’t be a problem.
Final Episode & Ending Explained (No Major Spoilers)
The Season 1 finale doesn’t try to “defeat” Pennywise — and that’s intentional.
Instead, it:
- Reinforces the idea that evil in Derry is cyclical
- Shows that Pennywise can be delayed, not destroyed
- Connects directly to the events of the IT movies
The ending is haunting, emotional, and quietly disturbing — reminding us that Derry never truly escapes its curse.
Connection to IT Movies & Stephen King’s Universe
This is where the series truly shines.
Season 1:
- Deepens the lore of Pennywise
- Explains why Derry keeps forgetting its tragedies
- Enhances rewatch value of the IT films
Rather than contradicting Stephen King’s work, the show respects and expands it. Fans of the novels will appreciate the subtle references and thematic consistency.
Who Should Watch IT: Welcome to Derry?
You’ll enjoy this series if you:
- Love Stephen King adaptations
- Prefer psychological horror over jump scares
- Enjoy lore-rich storytelling
- Want deeper Pennywise mythology
You may struggle if you:
- Want fast-paced horror
- Expect constant action
- Dislike slow-burn narratives
Final Verdict: Is IT: Welcome to Derry Season 1 Worth Watching?
Absolutely.
IT: Welcome to Derry Season 1 succeeds not by repeating the movies, but by rethinking what makes IT terrifying. It replaces spectacle with atmosphere, monsters with meaning, and fear with memory.
This is a thoughtful, unsettling, and well-crafted horror series that proves Pennywise doesn’t need constant screen time to be terrifying.
⭐ Rating: 8/10
A strong, haunting first season that honors Stephen King’s legacy while carving its own dark path.