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Tom's Guide
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I didn't think I needed an 'It' prequel until I saw the 'Welcome to Derry' trailer — now it's one of my most anticipated shows of 2025
HBO Max is already home to some seriously iconic horror content, but it looks like the streaming service is about to add another major title to that list — and I'm officially on board after seeing the first trailer for 'IT: Welcome to Derry.' Set to arrive in fall 2025, 'Welcome to Derry' is the prequel to 2017's 'It,' one of my favorite horror movies of all time. Honestly, I wasn't sure we needed to revisit Pennywise's world. The 2017 movie and its 2019 sequel felt like a complete (and terrifying) package. But this trailer changed my mind within seconds. 'Welcome to Derry' takes place nearly three decades before the events of 'It,' which were based on Stephen King's legendary horror novel and directed by Andy Muschietti. In King's lore, the sinister creature known as Pennywise awakens every 27 years to prey on children before disappearing again. This prequel show explores one of those earlier cycles, diving into the terrifying rampage that occurred long before the Losers' Club ever faced the shape-shifting monster. Get ready to go back to where IT all began... 🎈 #ITWelcometoDerry is coming this fall to HBO Max. 20, 2025 The teaser doesn't give away too much, but it oozes atmosphere. There's plenty of blood, screams, unsettling grins, ominous red balloons, and just before the trailer ends, we get a quick look at Pennywise himself, with Bill Skarsgård back in the role that made nightmares feel a little too real. Still, with another story centered on a group of kids facing off against Pennywise, it's fair to question what fresh perspective this series can offer longtime 'It' fans that hasn't been done before. Even if 'Welcome to Derry' ends up being a little repetitive, the trailer's tone has already convinced me to stream it on day one. It feels like it honors the vibe of the movies while introducing a new cast of kids who seem genuinely compelling, and just enough blood-spattered creepiness to remind us that this small town is anything but safe. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The trailer above introduces us to the eerie town of Derry, Maine, in the year 1962. New residents quickly become unsettled as they hear whispers about children disappearing without a trace and it doesn't take long for the unsettling truth to surface: something sinister is lurking beneath the surface. In true 'It' fashion, a group of teens from Derry High take it upon themselves to uncover what's really happening, knowing full well that the adults around them won't believe a thing they say. 'Welcome to Derry' kicks off with a nine-episode first season, helmed by 'It' director Andy Muschietti. When speaking with Entertainment Weekly, he said: 'This is a book we love a lot, and we felt that there was still a lot of story to be covered. It's so rich with characters and events, we thought we would do justice to the book and the fans by going back into this world. 'Specifically, we are telling the stories of the interludes, writings by Mike Hanlon based on his investigation that includes interviews he conducts with the older people in the town. In Welcome to Derry, we touch on the usual themes that were talked about in the movie — friendship, loss, the power of unified belief — but this story focuses also on the use of fear as a weapon, which is one of the things that is also relevant to our times.' '27 years is the dormant period of Pennywise. It's a different part of American history with a new set of fears for children, as well as adults having in mind the cost of the Cold War. Our baseline is 1962, but we do a few jumps to the past... Every 27 years when It appears, It's cycle is marked by two catastrophic events, one at the beginning and one in the end. We are using the Black Spot as an event in which many stories are built around.' 'Welcome to Derry' is executive produced by a stacked team that includes Andy and Barbara Muschietti (via their Double Dream banner), Jason Fuchs, Brad Caleb Kane, David Coatsworth, Bill Skarsgård, Shelley Meals, Roy Lee, and Dan Lin. Fuchs, who penned the script for the premiere episode, is also serving as co-showrunner alongside Kane. The show features a solid ensemble including Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, Rudy Mancuso, and Bill Skarsgård. I've been a fan of Jovan Adepo ever since 'Overlord,' a wildly overlooked horror gem and one of my favorite movies of all time. He brought so much heart and intensity to that role, and I'm genuinely excited to see what he does in 'Welcome to Derry.' And of course, there's Skarsgård, who needs no introduction. His take on Pennywise became instantly iconic. 'IT: Welcome to Derry' arrives on HBO Max this fall, and after that chilling first trailer, it's safe to say it's jumped near the top of my must-watch list. Whether you're a fan of 'It' or just love a good scare, this prequel looks like it's bringing the nightmare back in the best way possible.
USA Today
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
The best Stephen King movie adaptations, ranked (including 'The Monkey')
The best Stephen King movie adaptations, ranked (including 'The Monkey') Show Caption Hide Caption New 'It Chapter Two' trailer haunts Comic-Con Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard) returns to terrify the adult members of the Losers' Club in the horror sequel 'It Chapter Two.' USA TODAY Love movies? Live for TV? USA TODAY's Watch Party newsletter has all the best recommendations, delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now and be one of the cool kids. Almost as long as that legendary master of horror Stephen King has been keeping book lovers up at night, filmmakers have been adapting his novels and short stories. Which means there have been some stone-cold classics ("The Shining," anyone?) and more than a few clunkers. For every "The Dark Tower" there's an "It" – though we got two of those, both of them good. So is the new one: Director Osgood Perkins' "The Monkey" (in theaters now), based on the short story from King's "Skeleton Crew" collection, stars Theo James as twin brothers plagued by a cursed monkey toy with a drumbeat that literally kills. It's actually shaping up to be a pretty big 2025 for King and his Constant Readers: "The Life of Chuck," which won the audience award at last fall's Toronto International Film Festival, arrives in theaters June 6. Before then, King's latest novel "Never Flinch" debuts in bookstores May 27 and "Hansel & Gretel," his children's book with Maurice Sendak, is out Sept. 2. In honor of "The Monkey," here are the most essential King movies, ranked: 15. 'Gerald's Game' (2017) Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood play a couple who go on a romantic getaway to rekindle their marriage. The wife gets handcuffed to the bed, hubby has a heart attack, there are no neighbors to call and she struggles to maintain her sanity in a stressful situation. (Also, good luck trying to unsee the super-duper creepy Moonlight Man.) Where to watch: Netflix. 14. 'It: Chapter Two' (2019) The Losers' Club from the first "It" are all grown up – but demonic clown Pennywise is as dastardly as ever. Along with the buckets of gore and blood, the sequel is also an emotionally deep chiller, exploring the very real effects of childhood trauma and innocence lost. Where to watch: Max. 13. 'The Running Man' (1987) So what if this futuristic action flick isn't exactly faithful to the '82 King book (written as Richard Bachman)? It's an enjoyable time watching Arnold Schwarzenegger as a framed military man on a brutally deadly game show, tackling over-the-top bruisers and TV host baddie Richard Dawson in a movie that's more WrestleMania than social satire. Where to watch: Paramount+. 12. 'The Monkey' (2025) Gory and gloriously absurd, the horror comedy stars Theo James in a dual role as twins who thought they got rid of a cursed monkey toy when they were kids until it comes back into their lives and brings a whole heap of bloody death. Sure, it's extremely demented, but this wacky film also has something deep to say about mortality. Where to watch: In theaters. 11. 'The Green Mile' (1999) The sentimental prison drama based on King's serial novel gets its hooks in thanks to the one-two emotional punch of Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan. Hanks plays a death row prison guard who doesn't know what to make of a gentle but enigmatic giant (Duncan), convicted of murdering two girls, who exhibits strange abilities. Where to watch: Tubi. 10. '1408' (2007) In the most underrated King movie, a supernatural skeptic (John Cusack) who writes about haunted places takes interest in the legendarily creepy room of a New York high-rise. It's astoundingly kooky but also a thoughtful study of cynicism and belief. Where to watch: Apple TV and on demand. 9. 'Doctor Sleep' (2019) Ewan McGregor stars in "The Shining" sequel as a grown-up Danny Torrance, decades past surviving the horrors at the Overlook Hotel, now sober after years of alcoholism and helping a young psychic girl (Kyliegh Curran). It mines familiar ground by carrying over "Shining" themes and characters, but it's best going its own way as a reluctant hero's journey. Where to watch: Apple TV and on demand. 8. 'Stand by Me' (1986) King is as much a master of Americana as he is frights, and Rob Reiner's coming-of-age tale of four misfits and their adventures to find a dead body is top notch at capturing the unbreakable bond of friendship and the fleeting nature of childhood innocence. Where to watch: Netflix. 7. 'The Mist' (2007) How do you make a King novella even more bleak? Director Frank Darabont manages to do that rather well with this story of small-town Maine folks stuck in a supermarket, thanks to a mysterious mist and monstrous hidden creatures outside. Come for the paranoia and tribalism, stay for the gut-punch ending. Where to watch: Prime Video. 6. 'Misery' (1990) A modern take might have nutty Annie Wilkes making a TikTok or simply sliding into the DMs of author Paul Sheldon to profess her fandom but it wouldn't have been so malevolently perfect as this pre-Internet chiller. Kathy Bates earns her Oscar and then some, taking Annie's terrifying adoration for James Caan's Sheldon to a disturbing, hide-your-eyes level. Where to watch: Tubi. 5. 'The Dead Zone' (1983) Christopher Walken is a psychic schoolteacher who 'sees' someone's secrets if he touches them, including a vision of a nuclear holocaust after shaking the hand of a senatorial candidate (Martin Sheen). More than 40 years later, the film's political bent seems timelier than ever. Where to watch: Pluto TV. 4. 'Carrie' (1976) Sissy Spacek exudes quiet, tortured grace as a teenager just blossoming into womanhood, leading to bullying from classmates and her abusively religious mom (Piper Laurie). The last 30 minutes is a jaw-dropping transformation from childhood innocence to murderous hysteria. Where to watch: Tubi, Pluto TV. 3. 'It: Chapter One' (2017) Taking the friendship stuff from "Stand By Me" and weaving in a deliciously evil clown in a poufy wardrobe, "It" works magic on a lot of different levels and leaves you desperately seeking more Pennywise. Warning: May not be for those skeeved out by buckets of blood shooting out of a sink. Where to watch: Max. 2. 'The Shawshank Redemption' (1994) There's not much scary here other than some jail guards. Instead, what makes "Shawshank" an all-timer is the core friendship of two inmates (played by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman) who figure out they'd better 'get busy living or get busy dying." Where to watch: Apple TV and on demand. 1. 'The Shining' (1980) King notoriously disliked Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece, but it's by far the best of the entire lot. Come for the infamous scenes – 'Heeeeere's Johnny,' anyone? – and stay for the exceptional exploration of isolation, one man's descent into madness, and the terrifying effect on his family. Where to watch: Apple TV and on demand.
