IT

“We all float down here…”

So then…How best to go about reviewing one of the scariest films I’ve ever seen? Well, I’ll start by saying this: It certainly isn’t for everyone. Hell, I considered walking out more than once simply because it was so un-nerving. But like the majority of people in the cinema, I persisted, so here we are.

The plot of It is both really simply and really quite brilliant at the same time, and to make the film even better, it breaks the stereotype of horror films being good for scares but bloody awful on the whole. It isn’t in anyway bad. If anything, it’s very, very good. But Anywho, the plot. It’s 1988/89, and in the town of Derry kids are going missing left right and centre. But of course, things aren’t all that they seem, and the person behind the kidnappings is a demonic clown who goes by the name of Pennywise. Over the course of the film Pennywise begins terrorising a group of kids, showing each of them their greatest fears, which on a side note leads to some hellishly disturbing scenes. Once they decide enough is enough, the kids, calling themselves ‘The Losers Club’, come together to stop the clown once and for all.

So yeah, a plot which doesn’t necessarily speak volumes when written like that, but it’s used to near perfection in the film. Despite the fact there’s a lot of characters to keep track of, the movie’s plot keeps them together for the most part so the viewer doesn’t get too tangled up, but does give each their own scene with Pennywise, which shows you a surprising amount of depth to each character.

What I wasn’t really expecting It to deliver was quite a lot of humour. On the face of it, that sounds slightly strange for a film about a demonic child-killing clown. But honestly, I think I and most other people were hugely relieved when we could laugh during the film. The humour brings a certain relatability to the characters, and that helps remind you that they are just entering their teenage years, and kids that age say some pretty funny stuff. Plus, had the humour not been in the film, it would’ve been two hours of pure misery and dread. On top of this, the film uses its humour sparingly and in just the right place, so when there is a happy 80s scene where everyone is getting along, your mind keeps asking where the next scare is coming from. Yes, that does take away from some of the enjoyment of the film, but it builds the atmosphere brilliantly, and that’s a worthwhile trade.

Of course, the top performance award has to go to Bill Skarsgard for his portrayal of Pennywise.

I’ve not seen the Tim Curry version, so I can’t really compare the two, but Skarsgard never falters from the mindset of the clown and brings so many of the film’s creepiest and most disturbing scenes to life in a way that’ll leave a mark on your mind long after the film has ended. Before watching the film, my main concern was what Pennywise would sound like when he talked. It’s something they didn’t show off in the trailers, and probably for the best, simply because the end result is, well, exactly what you’d think a demonic clown would sound like. In short, it’s incredibly un-nerving, and you’d want nothing less. Also, keep a look out for his eyes. They tend to wonder off every now and then, and it makes Pennywise infinitely more creepy. Also, it's not CGI.

While Skarsgard was the best performer of the film, it would be wrong not to give a compliment the actors of The Losers Club.

It’s rare that a film features so many unknowns face that do as well as they did, especially child actors. But each brings their A game and they don’t let the viewer down for a second. Of the bunch, I’d have to say Jack Dylan Grazer’s Eddie (third from left) and Finn Wolfhard’s Richie (far right) the most entertaining to watch. Grazer’s relatability and Wolfhard’s quippy one liners made the film a lot more fun to watch than I was expecting, and it brought about some nice, if brief, changes of pace.

On the whole, It is a very strong film with a great cast that’ll creep you out, and will offer some of cinema’s best scares. At times the enjoyment is slightly lacking simply because of the film’s jump scares and disturbing nature, but honestly, that is just the point of the film. It’s meant to be disturbing and scary, and it does both very, very well. The opening scene sets up the tone perfectly and you never quite feel comfortable in the film after that. The film’s use of a large cast could’ve been its downfall, but the story and structure meant keeping track of everyone was interesting, not tiresome, meaning it thrived where so many films have failed. Both Skarsgard as Pennywise and the child actors as The Losers Club were brilliant throughout, and the film’s atmosphere was never broken by un-necessary scenes or plot lines. So yeah…Big scares, a hellishly creepy clown and images that won’t be leaving any viewers mind any time soon. Normally, I’d say go watch it, but the truth is there will be a lot of people who won’t make it to the end.