The world of IT expands with “IT: Welcome to Derry,” an eight-episode series directed by Andy Muschietti. A prequel to the fan-favourite horror movie “IT,” the show explores the origin of the murderous clown Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård), and opens with the kidnapping of a young boy, Matthew “Matty” Clements (Miles Ekhardt), in the fictional town of Derry, Maine. Clements is kidnapped while escaping his abusive father, and his disappearance leaves both the town and viewers in suspense.

After watching the first five episodes, one thing in particular caught my attention: the storylines. Instead of following a single main character, the show features multiple storylines that intersect as the series progresses, allowing viewers to witness the central conflict from different perspectives. Each storyline includes its own unique set of characters and organizations, such as the military as they strategize methods of Pennywise, and a group of kids attempting to prove that Pennywise is a real threat and the true reason for the violence in Derry.

I thought that each character, despite their stark differences, had strong depth and character development, especially the two main protagonists: Lily Bainbridge (Taylour Paige) and Ronnie Grogan (Amanda Christine), two teenage girls from Derry who investigate the missing children of the town and find themselves in increasingly perilous situations. At the same time, Dick Halloran (Chris Chalk), a soldier with psychic powers, is used by the U.S. military to hunt for Pennywise and uncovers the town’s secrets. His handler, Leroy Hanlon (Steven Williams), moves to Derry early in the series and discovers that the town may not be as boring as he initially thought.

While I enjoyed the interesting plot and character development, the show lacked in the computer-generated imagery (CGI) department. The lack of realism in specific scenes left me detached and unsatisfied. Paranormal creatures, in particular, were often poorly animated, making it feel as if the show’s CGI was an afterthought and did not receive the attention it needed from the development team, despite its key role in certain scenes.

Regardless of the production issues and minor critiques, “IT: Welcome to Derry” still earned a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, proving that the iconic series continues to satisfy viewers with its enthralling plot and beloved characters. For anyone looking for a new horror show to watch and is interested in the IT universe, this show is guaranteed to fulfill expectations.