It: Chapter 2 Review

Sometimes, going home again can be a terrifying experience. Especially when it involves a killer clown.

It: Chapter 2 continues the story of the struggle of the Loser’s Club, a group of friends from the sleepy town of Derry, Maine against the depredations of the monstrous clown-demon Pennywise. The first chapter of It introduced us to the Losers; Bill, Ben, Beverly, Richie, Stanley, Mike, and Eddie. Each going through their awkward phase of becoming teenagers. Each with their own insecurities and fears. They have to confront their own inner demons while trying to stop the literal demon preying on children in their town. When Pennywise retreats, seemingly defeated, the children all make a blood oath to return in 27 years (the demon sleeps for 27 years between feeding periods) to finish the job if he returns.

And boy, does he return with an appetite.

Chapter 2 begins 27 years later, as the Loser’s Club are now living lives as adults. All of the kids save Mike (Isaiah Mustafa) have left Derry to start new lives elsewhere. Bill (played as an adult by James McAvoy) is a famous movie screenwriter in Los Angeles married to an actress. Ben (played by Jay Ryan) has become a wealthy architect in Nebraska. Beverly (Jessica Chastain) runs a successful fashion design company in Chicago. Richie (Bill Hader) is a standup comedian in Los Angeles. Eddie (James Ransone) is a risk assessor in New York City. Leaving the town has seemingly made all the trauma and horror they experienced as children fade to the point of nearly forgetting Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard). But Mike never left Derry, and he’s been waiting for the day the clown makes its return, trying to find a way to stop the clown carnage once and for all. His call to each of his old friends sets them on the path to facing, again, their worst fears. After a fun night reminiscing and recalling the good old days, things slowly start to come back to the Losers. And when the immensity of their pasts comes back, most of them want to flee Derry. Events transpire to keep them all in town, and together they work to make sure no more children have to fall victim to the heinous harlequin. Mike belies he has found a ritual performed by the first Native Americans to encounter the creature who would be called Pennywise that he believes can defeat him for good. The ritual involves all of them having to confront their past in Derry, alone.

Right off the bat, I will point out that It: Chapter 2 is a long movie. Just under three hours. There are scenes that feel like they drag on a bit, but the scares and terror do keep the movie running along at a decent pace. There is a lot of great chemistry between the adult Losers, as evidenced in the dinner scene early in the movie. Three performances among the Losers in particular really stood out to me; Bill Hader, James McAvoy, and Isaiah Mustafa.

Bill Hader’s Richie steals the show. His one-liners and reactions are timed perfectly. In particular, I enjoyed two scenes, both towards the end of the film. First is when Richie saves Mike in the town library, proceeds to make a terrible library pun, and then without skipping a beat vomits out of stress. The second is during the big showdown with Pennywise when Richie tries to confront the monstrous mime by throwing rocks at him. Between his role here and his role in Barry, I’m starting to become a big fan of Bill Hader’s acting and comedic timing. He’s a blast in It: Chapter 2.

James McAvoy’s Bill carries a lot of weight and guilt on his shoulders. As the leader of the Loser’s Club, and the one who has everyone swear their oaths to stop Pennywise, he feels responsible for trying to stop the clown for good. In addition, he carries immense guilt for the death of his little brother Georgie at the hands of Pennywise at the start of It: Chapter 1. Bill’s journey towards unburdening himself of his guilt is an important part of his journey. There’s a sadness and guilt that almost borders on madness that McAvoy brings across, particularly in the scene where he finds himself on the street where he used to live, and where Georgie was taken by Pennywise.

Isaiah Mustafa rounds out my favorite performances. His portrayal of Mike came across to me as being initially the most level-headed and emotionally stable, despite being the only one who didn’t get to forget the horrors they witnessed as children. Part of why I like Mustafa’s take on Mike is how Chosen Jacobs portrayed young Mike in Chapter 1 and the flashbacks in Chapter 2. He has a maturity and level-headedness that really grounds him as one of the pillars of the group. And Mustafa carries that across perfectly in his role as grown-up Mike.

I also want to give a special mention of James Ransone’s Eddie. His arc I found very interesting. Without giving anything away I will say his development surprised me most of all the Losers, showing a level of growth and bravery that hides deep below the surface of an otherwise skittish, frightened man.

The rest of the cast is strong as well, and Bill Skarsgard really brings the terror as Pennywise. His mannerisms, eye and mouth movements, and overall unsettling caricature really add to the horror of Pennywise. He seems equal parts malevolent mummer and puppet for an even scarier incarnation of Pennywise.

All in all, It: Chapter 2 was an entertaining, if a little long, conclusion to the story of the Loser’s Club. After the frights of Chapter 1, I was a little better prepared for what Chapter 2 had in store, so the scares weren’t as effective as in Chapter 1. But watching the camaraderie of the Losers, and how they each overcome their deepest fears in order to defeat pennywise, made for an enjoyable horror movie experience. I would definitely recommend It: Chapter 2.