IT: Chapter Two - Review

“We all float down here” – A review of IT: Chapter Two. 

It’s 2019 and it’s incredibly late. I’m standing in the foyer of a cinema, popcorn in hand, as I wait in fear and anticipation for an event, I’ve been both excited for and dreading – the midnight release of IT: Chapter Two.

IT: Chapter Two doesn’t pick up where it left off. It’s been twenty-seven years since we’ve seen the Loser’s Club, and now they’re all grown up. Most of them have moved across the country, aside from Mike who has remained in the town, but they have a promise to keep: Pennywise has returned, and the nightmare must be put to an end, once and for all.

It’s interesting to see Loser’s reunited. Adults now, they’re all dealing with the trauma and memories that returning to Derry and reuniting has brought to the surface. The adult actors do a phenomenal job at capturing their childhood counterparts, and the group has the same feel of camaraderie and chemistry that they’d had as children.

Bill Skarsgard is once again a remarkable Pennywise. He’s as unpredictable, creepy and sadistic as ever, and his ability to exploit the worst fears of the Loser’s Club is fully exploited, as he relies on their past traumas to create some of the most disturbing and terrifying scenes of the whole film.

I am also a big fan of Bill Hader’s portrayal as Richie. He’s as comedic as ever, but also incredibly vulnerable, his arc exploring secrets and identity. Jessica Chastain is an incredible Beverly, who has had to – and is still having to – deal with abuse, which makes her a complex and tragic character, but one who is still incredibly strong and resilient.

This is a deeply surreal film. Whilst it does still lean a little too heavily on CGI for my liking, I cannot emphasise just how scary and unsettling the hallucinations and flashbacks throughout are. Just like the first film, I still think that IT: Chapter Two is at its best in its quiet moments, when the feeling of dread and unease is allowed to build and the tension becomes almost unbearable.

I really enjoy the way the film deals with themes such as memory and trauma. This isn’t just a film about defeating a scary monster, it’s about the Loser’s Club overcoming their own personal demons and coming to terms with their past. This isn’t just about inner strength, it’s about solidarity and friendship, and I love that this film didn’t overlook this.

One thing that I think lets this film down is its pacing. Yes, it has an incredibly dark, tense atmosphere, but at a run time of nearly three hours, it’s perhaps not surprising that the plot lags slightly at times. There are some parts of the film which feel slightly episodic in nature, perhaps a nod to the mini-series, but I must admit I found these parts to be slightly repetitive.

I can’t dislike this film despite its issues. Yes, there are pacing issues and yes, the CGI often has an absurd feel to it, but I do think this is an excellent sequel to the first film. I remember how uneasy I felt when I left the cinema the night of the midnight release, with the streetlights slightly flickering, and the way in which that uneasiness followed me all the way home and into bed.

Sure, there are a few cheap jump scares, but at its core this is still a deeply psychological film which relies on the deepest, darkest secrets and fears of the characters to build tension and dread. On top of this, the film explores emotional healing and memory and offers heartfelt performances and incredible imagery throughout.

I would really encourage you to watch this film if you’re a fan of horror. If you do, who knows, maybe it’ll inspire you to take a trip to your local circus and find a dancing clown of your own!

I know he’ll appreciate it.

No one wants to play with the clown anymore.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

Share Article: