IT (2017) is a new re-imagining of the famous Stephen King novel based around the mysterious killings in the town of Derry, Maine where a group of young kids face off against the evil entity “It”.

As someone who is not fond of horror movies at all, I was thoroughly impressed. Most modern horror movies are full of jumpscares. Although there are some scenes with that, albeit some of the best scenes in the movie, it is so much more than that.

This is one of few Stephen King adaptations that follow closely to the book. The 1990 miniseries, with Tim Curry as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, is very tame compared to the graphic and detailed nature of the book. The confrontation with Georgie and Pennywise at the beginning of the miniseries is very PG compared to this new adaptation. The R rating for this movie is the only way to properly do Stephen King’s novel justice.

Of course, not everything from the book is fully portrayed on the screen.  

The cast is fantastic! Most child actors are, to be blunt, pretty bad. However, these kids do a great job portraying teenagers and really help immerse you more in their dilemma. The star of the show for me was Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. He can be friendly one minute and the next be a murderous psychopath. His smile, his laugh, and even his height are intimidating, and when facing off against the “Losers Club” he seems like an almost unstoppable force.

This is a great movie, but does contain flaws, however. The tone of the film will completely change at the flip of the switch. What I mean by this is, that at one moment the kids will be cracking jokes and not even a second later something will cause them complete trauma. What’s even worse is that once something bad happens, they will make a joke about it. Moments like these took me out of the experience, and may do the same to others as well.

Even if you aren’t a fan of horror movies, I urge you to go see this movie and maybe you’ll float too…