Stephen King’s 22nd novel is brought to our screens in it’s third incarnation to terrorise and fill a new generation with the fear of clowns. While I always believed nothing could ever be scarier than the fantastic Tim Curry as Pennywise the clown, I was seriously mistaken. Bill Skarsgard has now earned this title in his own right. This nostalgic reworking of what is essentially a horror movie was superb in every way. From the feeling you were actually watching a movie made in 1986, to the perfectly chosen cast. This is a horror movie, coming of age movie, and a thriller all in one.
This film encumbers Stephen King’s best themes, those of childhood friends, bad people and how nightmares can come to life. It echoed scenes of Stand by me, the group of odd ball kids who ultimately end up being the hero’s are headed by Bill Denbrough (played by Jaeden Leibeher) who’s little brother Georgie was the first victim of I.T. We watch the kids go through their worst fears, fear feeds I.T, it needs children’s fear to survive. This band of “losers” ultimately defeat the shapeshifting clown, by not being afraid. I won’t spoil it by telling you any more of the story. What I do need to tell you is that I laughed, screamed and cried during this film. I.T was a dichotomy, a horror film that left you feeling good. If you want to know why, go see I.T.