With It: Welcome to Derry making its debut on HBO and HBO Max, fans of Stephen King’s terrifying world are both excited and skeptical. The series serves as a prequel to Andy Muschietti’s It films and promises to explore new layers of Derry’s haunted history. However, while the idea of expanding King’s chilling universe is compelling, early reactions reveal a mix of excitement, disappointment, and confusion.
The Bridge Between It and The Shining
One of the most intriguing aspects of Welcome to Derry is its surprising connection to another Stephen King classic — The Shining. Chris Chalk stars as Dick Hallorann, a character fans first met in The Shining as the telepathic chef who shared “the shine” with young Danny Torrance. This time, Hallorann is a young army cook who has yet to understand his powers.
By including Hallorann, the creators weave a fascinating thread through King’s universe, linking two iconic stories. His appearance isn’t just a gimmick; it adds depth to the mythology of Derry and shows how King’s characters exist within a shared, sinister world. Watching The Shining before diving into Welcome to Derry offers valuable context, giving more emotional weight to Hallorann’s presence and showing how his fear contrasts with the terror of Pennywise.
Read more >> Kim Kardashian Reveals Brain Aneurysm Diagnosis Linked to Stress After Divorce from Kanye West
The Concept: Expanding on King’s Horror Legacy
Andy Muschietti’s It films were massive hits, grossing over a billion dollars combined. They captured the essence of King’s original 1986 novel, though many parts of the story, especially Derry’s haunted history, were left untold. Fans hoped Welcome to Derry would explore those missing pieces — particularly the “Interludes” from the novel that detail chilling events like the Black Spot fire and the Ironworks explosion.
Unfortunately, the series focuses less on these compelling backstories and more on reimagining the creature’s origins. Rather than expanding on the town’s eerie history, Welcome to Derry delves into sci-fi elements that feel out of place in a story built on psychological and supernatural horror. This creative decision has left many viewers wondering whether the show missed an opportunity to deliver a truly faithful King adaptation.
Read more >> Is Burping a Lot a Sign of Cancer?
A Misguided Prequel with Lost Potential
Set in 1962, It: Welcome to Derry aims to capture the atmosphere of early 1960s America, weaving in real-world themes like the Civil Rights Movement and the Cold War. The story introduces Major Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo), an Air Force hero who suffers a brain injury that renders him incapable of fear — a concept ripe with potential. However, the narrative quickly becomes convoluted when the U.S. military becomes involved, attempting to capture Pennywise for use as a Cold War weapon.
This far-fetched plot undermines the horror foundation that makes King’s world so effective. The show’s attempt to mix social commentary, political drama, and supernatural terror leads to confusion rather than cohesion. What could have been a deep, unsettling exploration of fear turns into a disjointed experiment in overcomplication.
Performances and Parallels to Stranger Things
Despite its narrative flaws, Welcome to Derry isn’t without merit. The performances, particularly from James Remar as Gen. Francis Shaw and Chris Chalk as Dick Hallorann, bring some gravitas to the story. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the young cast, whose characters feel underwritten and overly sentimental — a stark contrast to the well-developed Losers’ Club from It.
Moreover, the show struggles with its identity. Critics have noted that it feels like a copy of Stranger Things, a series heavily inspired by King’s own work. This ironic full-circle moment — where a show based on King’s novel now imitates a show inspired by King — results in a confusing sense of déjà vu. Rather than carving its own place in the horror genre, Welcome to Derry often feels like a pale imitation of both It and Stranger Things.
A Missed Opportunity in King’s Universe
It: Welcome to Derry had the potential to deepen the lore of one of Stephen King’s most iconic stories, bridging the gap between It and The Shining. While its connections to Hallorann and its ambitious scope are commendable, the show ultimately falters under the weight of its own complexity.
For fans preparing to watch, revisiting The Shining may prove more rewarding than rewatching It. The series’ attempt to expand the universe is admirable, but it serves as a reminder that not every mystery in Derry needed to be explained. Sometimes, horror is most powerful when it leaves questions unanswered.
