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The debut of Welcome to Derry this weekend transports viewers back to 1962, where a new group of kids faces an age-old, fear-consuming jester. Considering the original It story revolved significantly around teens in danger, it's unsurprising that this show follows a similar path. But, Welcome to Derry escalates the horror even more than the latest films, establishing its brutal atmosphere quicker than viewers might anticipate.

A Icy Start in a Cursed City

The series starts on a wintry winter night in the cursed town of Derry, Maine, set in 1962. Following being ejected of a movie theater for sneaking in and refusing to go back to his house to his violent parents, a pre-teen boy (the young actor) clutches his soother for comfort while thumbing a ride out of the city. When he is eventually offered a ride, the chilled child agrees. It doesn't take long, though, for him to realize the enormity of his error.

We'll pause here to avoid spoiling any elements from the installment. It is enough to state that Welcome to Derry wastes no time in demonstrating just how graphic and frightening the program is set to be, particularly regarding the brutality inflicted on children in the town.

Throughout, the series' first episode proves its makers have no fear to "push boundaries," to the point that it likely should come with a graphic content advisory for those sensitive to violence involving young people; it's truly that gruesome.

An New Take to Horror

Showrunner Jason Fuchs has in the past likened Pennywise to the shark from Jaws, a creature shown in brief looks that leads toward a grand payoff. In Welcome to Derry, however, the focus moves toward additional transforming terrors reminiscent of King's initial book. With the longer duration and high-quality of an premium production, the program takes its time delving into these fears rather than rushing to spotlight Pennywise, resulting in a creepier, more intense fright than the 2017 and 2019 adaptations.

Is This Suitable?

Every audience member with even a passing knowledge of It ought to know what they're getting into when it comes to brutality toward kids, but Welcome to Derry turns the volume to the maximum when compared to the miniseries and including the movies. Given that, it deserves a public service announcement if those versions are where one sets their limit. Nevertheless, It: Welcome to Derry is an excellent show with a premiere episode that's a perfect watch for the spooky time of year.

• Explicit violence involving minors
• Longer runtime for more profound fear exploration
• Increased shapeshifting monsters from the source novel
• Sets a more grim tone than earlier adaptations