There have been numerous bad Stephen King adaptations over the past 40 years. For every Shawshank Redemption or Carrie, there is a flop like The Dark Tower. But does the latest adaptation of IT sink to the bottom or float to the top?
In this version of IT, we see a fresh cast of emerging young actors take on a mysterious force of evil which feeds on their distress. After several disappearances in the town of Derry, the self titled Losers Club embark on a journey of growth in which they must overcome their fears in a world which seems oblivious to the horror below the surface.
The film appears to borrow elements from previous Stephen King adaptations, most notably the chemistry between the young leads seems comparable to cast in the 1987 film, Stand By Me. Like the aforementioned, all of these actors were fantastic, evoking a real sense of togetherness and friendship between them. Jaeden Lieberher is fantastic as Bill who begins searching for his younger brother Georgie since his disappearance, as is Sophia Lillis as Beverly, who joins the group after being cast off for a false reputation. It is the dynamic between these actors that gives the film a sense of heart that has been missing in the horror genre for many years.
Perhaps the biggest challenge for the film is finding the an actor who can match Tim Curry’s iconic portrayal of Pennywise in the 1990 film series. Fortunately, Bill Skarsgård’s portrayal of the infamous horror clown was superb, with his piercing voice and great use of CGI to make him seem distinctly inhuman and other. His general appearance is terrifying, both in his plastered smile to his contorting movement. Much like the children, the audience eventually see Pennywise as less frightening the more the audience see of him, and the general case of less is more applies here too.
This reviewer felt that the scares were fairly effective throughout, which is due to great buildup in both with a sharp musical score and unsettling tone. Notable examples of this are in opening scene, and Pennywise’s appearance during the projector scene. However, other moments particularly later in the film have mixed success as the format of these scenes eventually lose impact due to their repetitive nature. For example one of the children would be lead somewhere confined, encounter their fears, before escaping at the final moment.
IT might not be the scariest or even the most original horror film I’ve seen in years, but it manages to deliver both thrilling storytelling in its sense of danger and warmth through its younger cast. Despite the unknown length of wait for the sequel, Pennywise and the Losers Club will remain in the minds of the audience long after the credits roll.
Simon Stone
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