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Being chased by a shapeshifting clown sounds like anyone’s worst nightmare especially when it confronts you with your own worst fears and strikes when you don’t expect it to. Which is exactly what the first installment of IT has brought to life, creating a new modern classic for the horror genre.
Based on the novel by Stephen King, the story follows a group of seven bullied kids known as ‘The Losers Club’ that encounters a terrifying clown called Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård, Atomic Blonde), who awakens every twenty-seven years to feed on children before going into hibernation.
Pennywise preys on the children’s own fears by shapeshifting into what they are most scared of in order to get to them, but The Losers Club are determined to face their fears and defeat the evil clown for good.
There have been many adaptations of Stephen King’s works over the years, with many of them being regarded as cinematic classics. This film will definitely earn it’s place alongside the likes of The Shawshank Redemption and Stand By Me as one of the best.
Director, Andy Muschietti does a fantastic job of staying faithful to King’s story, from the cinematography to the score they really capture the creepy and suspenseful atmosphere, constantly making you feel unsettled over not knowing when Pennywise will strike next and what he has in store for ‘The Losers Club’.
Muschietti brilliantly takes advantage of the 80’s setting by bringing the same nostalgic yet chilling feeling to the film as Stranger Things did, by drawing influence from Spielberg-produced films of the 80’s and perfectly blends it with King’s story.
At the heart of this horror film is the bond between ‘The Losers Club’, who perfectly capture the friendships that you have in early childhood and the child actors all perform their parts superbly, especially how they progress from being afraid and unsure to becoming stronger against Pennywise.
IT may be classed as part of the horror genre, but in essence it truly is a coming of age tale as we see them face their own hardships in real life in addition to their terror from Pennywise, such as Bill grieving over his missing younger brother Georgie, Beverly facing abuse from her father and the group all facing torment from their local bullies.
Tim Curry left a huge legacy with his portrayal as Pennywise in the 1990 mini-series and it would be difficult for any actor to top his performance, but Bill Skarsgård manages to give his own haunting interpretation of the character that strikes fear into you. From his maniacal grin and piercing eyes to the graceful yet creepy way he charges towards you, he really ramps up the fear factor, making this one performance you won’t forget easily.
IT is one of the best horror films in recent years and will have you all excited for Chapter Two.
Purple Revolver Rating: 5/5- creepy yet suspenseful.