Welcome to Derry Review:
If you’re still haunted by the red balloon and that eerie sewer laugh, this one’s for you. Welcome to Derry, now streaming on JioHotstar, takes us back to the cursed town of Derry, Maine — but this time, it’s 1962, and the dread has been simmering for decades.
Instead of re-telling the same old nightmare, the show digs into the origins of the malevolent force that eventually becomes Pennywise and explores how evil can take root in an ordinary town long before the clown shows up.
What Works
The atmosphere is top-tier.
From the very first frame, the world feels soaked in unease — foggy streets, flickering lights, and that quiet, ominous stillness before something awful happens. The production value is stunning, and it nails that slow-creep horror vibe without overdoing the jump scares.
It gives the story real emotional weight.
Beyond the supernatural menace, the series digs into how fear, prejudice, and guilt shape Derry’s residents. The horror feels more psychological this time, showing how the town itself becomes a breeding ground for evil.
There’s plenty for IT fans to love.
Little nods to familiar moments, subtle Easter eggs, and a few clever twists on established lore make it feel like part of the same chilling universe without being a copy-paste prequel.
Where It Stumbles
The pacing isn’t always perfect.
There are stretches where the story meanders, taking its time to build character arcs that don’t always land. It’s ambitious — maybe too ambitious — trying to juggle a sprawling ensemble while also keeping the horror momentum alive.
It’s eerie, but not always terrifying.
If you’re expecting the relentless fear of the movies, this show feels more measured. The scares are effective but sparse — it leans more into slow-burn dread and mystery than pure shock value.
Some emotional beats feel stretched.
A few storylines get lost in the shuffle, especially mid-season. It’s not enough to derail the show, but you might find yourself wishing it focused more tightly on the central horror thread.
Verdict: 3.5/5 – Atmospheric, Ambitious, and Creepy Enough
Welcome to Derry isn’t just a rehash of IT — it’s a deeper dive into the town’s sinister soul. It might not hit the same high notes of terror as the films, but it makes up for it with strong performances, gorgeous visuals, and a moody sense of inevitability that builds beautifully across episodes.
It’s horror with patience — less about the jump scares, more about the sickness in the town’s heart.
