By Robert Yaniz Jr.

More dark fantasy than pure horror, Stephen King’s novel gets the epic big-screen treatment it deserves.

THE HYPE

As a child, few characters freaked me out like Pennywise. As played by Tim Curry in the — let’s face it — terrible 1990 It miniseries, he was elemental, sadistic and, most of all, unforgettable. So I was immediately intrigued when word came that director Andy Muschietti (the filmmaker behind the stylish but underwhelming Mama) was adapting the first half of Stephen King’s 1986 novel for the big screen, which chronicles the first showdown between the demonic Pennywise (now played by Bill Skarsgård) and a group of children who call themselves the Losers Club. That film wound up being one of my favorite films of 2017 and shattered box office records. However, the section of the story following the adult Losers Club is known for being slower and less compelling. So audiences — myself included — maintained a cautious optimism on how It: Chapter Two would turn out.

THE STORY

Picking up 27 years later, the film opens with a devastating sequence that has nothing to do with Pennywise (at least, at first), and while some have understandably criticized the brutality of the scene, the fact that such real-world hatred essentially triggers the demon clown’s reemergence only underlines the fact that Pennywise is an embodiment of all our worst fears. Even moreso than in the first film, the metaphors are perhaps a bit too on-the-nose, but It: Chapter Two‘s themes are no less emotionally resonant for it. Perhaps the weakest element of the storytelling involves frequent flashbacks to the Losers’ childhoods, which can make this entry feel bloated if you’re not fully immersed. Unlike the 2017 It film, Chapter Two is clearly not designed to function as a standalone but an extension and completion of what came before.

THE CAST

After the first film hit, everyone was fan-casting who should play the older Losers. Only Jessica Chastain and Bill Hader made the cut, though the latter delivers the strongest performance of the bunch. The rest of the cast — led by James McAvoy (in his third franchise role this year after Glass and Dark Phoenix) — do bear a striking resemblance to their younger counterparts, especially James Ransone, and Skarsgård cements his take as the definitive Pennywise. This time around, the dancing clown receives a bit more development, appearing almost constantly in one form or another. As a result, It: Chapter Two maintains a consistent sense of dread but, thanks to Hader and Ransone, one regularly punctuated with dark comedy and heart.

THE PRODUCTION

Muschietti proves with It: Chapter Two how much of a visual stylist he truly is. The horror scenes, while not as intense as some may prefer, provide a rich array of colors and environments, with every sequence distinctive from the next. The CGI isn’t as convincing here — the restaurant scene stands out most of all — but that’s almost to be expected with the ambitious scope of Muschietti’s adaptation. Apparently, de-aging technology was applied to the child actors, though I certainly didn’t notice that. Once again, Benjamin Wallfisch’s score is a highlight, giving every moment just the right jolt to keep audiences on their toes. Lastly, It: Chapter Two does have a bit of a pacing problem,  but as alluded to above, this feels like more of a symptom of the first film being designed as a standalone and this one carrying all the weight of completing the story.

THE VERDICT

Much like Avengers: Endgame, It: Chapter Two is a fitting finale for this story and these characters’ journeys. For casual fans, the nearly three-hour runtime may test your patience (and your bladders). Yet, that extra screentime provides an epic and emotional conclusion for those who are truly invested in the Losers Club and how King’s story comments on childhood trauma. Moreover, if you’re only here for the scares, you might walk away unsatisfied, as Muschietti’s film caters more to story and theme than horror setpieces. But if you’re all in on the characters, the performances and the distinctive blending of horror, comedy, fantasy and drama, then It: Chapter Two that may be exactly what you’re looking for.

It: Chapter Two stars James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, Andy Bean and Bill Skarsgård and is directed by Andy Muschietti.