It (2017)

It (2017) is the rare horror film that earns its scares by first making you care—about a scrappy group of kids whose friendship feels lived-in, funny, and quietly aching. Andy Muschietti wraps Stephen King’s nightmare in a warm, nostalgic small-town haze, then punctures it with set pieces that are genuinely frightening without losing the story’s human pulse. The young cast is terrific, grounding the supernatural terror in real childhood wounds—bullying, grief, and the dread of growing up—so the movie lingers after the lights come back on. If you want horror with heart and a villain as iconic as Pennywise, it’s a must; if you’re sensitive to intense scares, it may be a rough ride.

Andy Muschietti’s It (2017) clearly aims to be a crowd-pleasing blend of coming-of-age drama and big, rollercoaster horror, anchored by a small-town nightmare and a killer clown. When it works, it’s thanks to strong kid chemistry, a few genuinely tense set pieces, and a committed, unsettling Pennywise. But if you’re hoping for deep character arcs or themes that land with real weight, the script can feel like it’s sketching people and emotions in broad strokes, then padding the runtime with loud scares. If you want a tighter, more psychologically sharp horror film (or you’re attached to earlier adaptations), this one may come off as long, slick, and ultimately a bit hollow.