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This premiere of It: Welcome to Derry this weekend takes viewers back to the early 1960s, as a fresh group of youngsters faces an ancient, fear-consuming jester. Given that the first It story revolved heavily around adolescents in danger, it's no shock that this series continues a similar trajectory. However, Welcome to Derry ramps up the frights even more than the recent movies, setting its brutal atmosphere quicker than anyone might expect.

An Chilling Start in a Cursed Town

This show starts on a wintry winter night in the cursed town of Derry, Maine, taking place in 1962. Following getting thrown out of a cinema for sneaking in and refusing to return home to his violent guardians, a pre-teen boy (the young actor) clutches his pacifier for comfort while hitchhiking out of the city. After he's eventually offered a ride, the chilled child accepts. It doesn't take long, however, for him to understand the enormity of his mistake.

We'll stop here to avoid revealing any details from the installment. Suffice to state that Welcome to Derry acts quickly in demonstrating just how explicit and terrifying the series will be, particularly regarding the brutality experienced by children in the town.

Throughout, the show's debut chapter demonstrates its makers aren't afraid to "go there," to the extent that it likely ought to include a content warning for those sensitive to aggression against children; it's truly that gruesome.

An Different Take to Horror

Showrunner Jason Fuchs has previously compared Pennywise to the shark from Jaws, a monster revealed in glimpses that builds toward a grand climax. In Welcome to Derry, though, the emphasis shifts toward more shapeshifting horrors reminiscent of Stephen King's initial book. With the extended runtime and high-quality of an premium series, the show takes its time exploring these fears instead of rushing to highlight the clown, resulting in a creepier, heightened fright than the recent adaptations.

Is It For You?

Every viewer with even a passing familiarity of It ought to understand what they're in for when it involves violence against children, but Welcome to Derry cranks the intensity to the maximum when contrasted to the miniseries and even the movies. Considering this, it merits a public service announcement if those versions are where one sets their limit. Yet still, It: Welcome to Derry is an excellent show with a first episode that's a ideal viewing for the Halloween season.

• Graphic content involving minors
• Extended runtime for more profound fear exploration
• More shapeshifting horrors from the source novel
• Establishes a more grim atmosphere than earlier adaptations