Going into IT with sky-high expectations after years of hype, I found myself satisfied but not blown away – a solid 7/10 experience.
What works brilliantly is the Amblin-esque nostalgia of misfits on bikes battling evil (yes, it predates Stranger Things, and you can feel its influence). The opening twenty minutes establish genuine dread, and the final act delivers thrilling payoff with the Losers’ Club sewer confrontation. Skarsgård’s Pennywise is genuinely creepy, and the young cast (especially Lillis and Grazer) bring authentic chemistry.
However, the middle sags with repetitive scare sequences following a predictable formula: character alone, creepy buildup, fake-out, real jumpscare, repeat. It’s well-crafted but becomes mechanical. Still, as someone diving in before the new prequel series, this was essential viewing – capturing that sweet spot between horror and coming-of-age that King does best.
Worth watching, even if the legend slightly exceeds the reality.
