By Natalie Reis
Many critics, such as The New York Times and The Atlantic, would agree that American author Stephen King’s work is hard to adapt to film.
King is a known master at creating works that are as excruciatingly detailed as they are dark.
In his most popular film adaptations, Carrie and The Shining, King’s views on the frightening truth of human nature are brought to life so effortlessly that one would only expect the same of his 1986 novel “It”.
Directed by Andy Muschietti, known most for his work in his 2013 horror film Mama, It is set in Derry, Maine and follows the adventures of a group of preteens who call themselves the “Losers Club.”
The group is led by stuttering but charismatic Bill Denbrough (Jaeden Lieberher), and includes intelligent chubby new kid Ben Hanscom (Jeremy Ray Taylor), glasses-wearing comedic relief Richie Tozier (Finn Wolf- hard), solemn and Jewish Stanley Uris (Wyatt Olef), farmkid Mike Hanlon (Chosen Jacobs), small and asthmatic Eddie Kaspbrak (Jack Dylan Grazer) and the group’s only girl, sweet redhead Beverly Marsh (Sophia Lillis).
After the disappearance of Bill’s younger brother Georgie, the group realizes that they’ve all encountered a monster that has been lurking in the sewers and preying on the children of Derry- the same monster that abducted Georgie.
This monster, referred to as “It” throughout the film, is played by Bill Skarsgard and commonly takes the form of Pennywise the Dancing Clown.
The film follows the adventures of the clique as they face not only the secret horrors of their town but horrors at home.
Beverly must deal with her looming father, who fears she is no longer “his girl.”
Eddie faces his worrisome mother who convinces him he is severely ill, despite any legitimate proof. Mike struggles to distance himself from the bloodstains of his gruesome farm chores.
Most prominently shown in the film, Bill must deal with the fact that his brother cannot.
The group also faces many problems together. Frequently the kids are insecure of the strength of their friendship and how far each would go for one an- other.
They wonder whether the trouble is worth it- Do they save themselves or do they risk their lives and stop the evil for good?
Because of this, I would call It a nostalgic coming-of-age film with an added element of horror.
In my honest opinion, this film was not nearly as frightening as I had hoped.
While Muschietti did an excellent job portraying the horror of the kids’ personal lives, I found the novelty of Pennywise quickly wore off.
His veering smile and contortionist movements were off-putting in the beginning, but by the third time it appeared on screen it did little to surprise or frighten.
Despite this, in my opinion It is exciting, creative, and dark—and well worth your time.