It Chapter Two Review – Sometimes It Comes Back for More

27 years after that fateful summer which saw the Losers Club face off against creepy clown Pennywise, It awakens once more to feed on the inhabitants of Derry, Maine. In It Chapter Two, the now-adult Losers reunite for a daring last stand against the creature that haunts their darkest nightmares.

It Chapter One was a surprise hit at the cinemas in 2017. No doubt riding the wave of Stephen King nostalgia brought on by Stranger Things, It was perfectly timed and made quite the splash at the box office.

To simply ascribe the first film’s success to timing would be unfair, though. It featured a stellar cast of young actors who endeared audiences to the trials and tribulations of growing up in the late 80s, oh — and that whole killer clown thing. Bill Skarsgård’s interpretation of Pennywise was top notch as well. While upping the camp factor of Tim Curry’s nightmare-inducing turn in the early 90s, Skarsgård’s clown has even more bite. And these strong performances were weaved together masterfully by director Andy Muschietti and his crew.

It was inevitable that It would return, as promised, for a final battle between good and evil, innocence and malice, life and death. And lucky for us, this year, It spectacularly ends.

Character Study

Taking its lead from King’s immense tome (seriously, the novel spans well over 1,000 pages), Chapter Two continues the first instalment’s focus on its cast of well-drawn, interesting characters. One could argue that these characters are even better developed this time around as we have the added dimension of 27 years of life experience to add to the mix.

The stellar adult cast is perfectly cast and feels organic. We are not watching them play grown-up versions of the Loser’s Club. They are the grownup Loser’s Club. Many critics are praising Bill Hader’s portrayal of Richie Tozier as the standout performance. But I would argue that there is not a false note in the group.

The focus on character also gives the film ample room to display some heart. I was taken aback by how the story wraps up with some real poignancy. Don’t be alarmed if you shed a tear or two.

Thrilling Horror

Of course, this is not Nouveau fare, and the film would fall flat if it didn’t scare us. While not as scary as the first time around, there’s plenty thrills to be had in this chapter. Pennywise is possibly even creepier than ever, devouring kids and adults with bloody glee. And It’s interpretations of our heroes’ darkest fears are nightmare-inducing, to say the least.

Some images in the film are truly upsetting and sometimes hits a little close to home. But this is never gratuitous. The violence serves a definite purpose in not only characterising the clown but also commenting on our susceptibility to evil.

Funny as Hell

Muschietti amps up the scare factor by using a device that has only recently come back in style again. As with M. Night Shyamalan’s The Visit and Jordan Peele’s masterpiece Get Out, the scares in It Chapter Two are separated by moments of pure comedy. It’s amazing how one minute you can be screaming your guts out, and the next you’re clutching your sides and laughing out loud. It makes the whole experience feel almost delirious, which no doubt is how it must feel to the characters experiencing it.

Balls-to-the-Wall Craziness

The scares and giggles lead our characters to a truly insane third act where the losers finally face off against the thing that stole their childhoods, their innocence and, most importantly, their identities. I do not want to give away anything in this review, but I can say that this last stand is a breathless affair. Hold on to your seats.

It Chapter Two is a great film. Quit clowning around and enjoy it on the big screen while you can. This is not a film to watch — it’s a film to experience.