IT: WELCOME TO DERRY. Fu**ing Nightmare Fuel

Say goodbye to sleep! “Some stories we tell as warnings, to teach us something. Others are the pure truth,” says one of the characters in HBO’s new series, inspired by Andy Muschietti’s film duology and Stephen King’s bestselling novel. So how does the newest installment in the IT universe fare? Let’s find out.

IT: Welcome to Derry is formally a prequel to the Argentine director’s 2017 and 2019 films, yet it also serves as a fascinating expansion of a well-known story. The main action unfolds in the 1950s in the titular Derry—a small American town that, despite its charm, hides bloody secrets. As viewers, we follow a group of characters as increasingly strange and terrifying things begin to happen around them.

This new series, carrying the name of the filmmaker behind the highly acclaimed movies, is a perfectly executed work that skillfully plays with the rules of the genre. The creators not only did their homework but also delivered something fresh, surprising, and genuinely frightening. Without giving too much away, I’ll just say the show starts off intensely—with scenes so twisted and disturbing they’ll make your hair stand on end. And that’s only the appetizer for the madness to come. IT: Welcome to Derry can be truly revolting and terrifying at times, and I’ll admit that it made me scream out loud on several occasions.

The main characters aren’t just school-aged kids, but also members of the military working on a “super-secret project that could change the course of history.” Do the actions of the U.S. Army somehow contribute to the increasingly aggressive behavior of Derry’s townspeople? Or are there darker, more sinister forces at play? The show cleverly explores human arrogance and the lack of humility in the face of nature’s powers—an attitude that can only lead to disaster.

The script is exceptionally well written. Not only do we get a deeper understanding of Derry’s lore and its terrifying inhabitant, but we also genuinely care about nearly every character and feel their pain. Both the young and adult actors deliver outstanding performances, keeping the audience engaged from start to finish. Andy Muschietti and his team of writers and directors clearly understand the horror genre and expertly push its boundaries, toying with the audience’s expectations. Several scenes are bound to go down in horror history for their brutal directness, leaving no doubt about the depths of human depravity.

As fans know, Pennywise feeds on fear—on the realization of our worst nightmares—and the creators skillfully serve up one terrifying scene after another, far darker than what we saw in the films. The world has changed enough in recent years that screens can now show more twisted and disturbing imagery—and for horror fans, that’s a true treat. The series provides genuine nightmare fuel—and somehow, we keep coming back for more.

If I’ve ever said I was a big fan of both IT films and the 1990s TV adaptation, then I’m running out of words to describe my admiration for Welcome to Derry. This series isn’t just a total blast and a delicious feast for horror lovers—it’s also one of the best shows of 2025. It was absolutely worth the wait to taste new flavors of a familiar dish prepared by Andy Muschietti.

This show is simply brilliantly written, deeply intriguing, and honestly, truly TERRIFYING! Exactly as it should be. I’m thrilled—and I can’t wait for the next episodes. Who needs sleep when you can spend your nights with the many faces of Pennywise? ????