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The premiere of It: Welcome to Derry over the coming days transports viewers back to the early 1960s, as a new group of youngsters faces an ancient, fear-consuming jester. Given that the original It story centered heavily around teens in peril, it's unsurprising that this series follows a similar trajectory. But, Welcome to Derry escalates the frights to a greater degree than the latest films, setting its harsh tone quicker than anyone might expect.

A Chilling Beginning in a Doomed Town

The series kicks off on a wintry winter night in the cursed town of Derry, Maine, set in 1962. After getting thrown out of a cinema for sneaking in and refusing to go back home to his violent parents, a 12-year-old youth (the young actor) clutches his pacifier for comfort while thumbing a ride away from the city. After he's eventually given a ride, the freezing child accepts. It doesn't take long, however, for him to realize the enormity of his mistake.

We will pause at this point to prevent revealing any details from the installment. It is enough to state that Welcome to Derry wastes no time in demonstrating just how graphic and frightening the series is set to be, particularly regarding the brutality experienced by minors in the locale.

Throughout, the series' first episode demonstrates its creators aren't afraid to "go there," to the point that it likely should come with a graphic content advisory for those sensitive to aggression against young people; it's truly that gruesome.

An Different Approach to Horror

Executive producer Jason Fuchs has previously likened Pennywise to the predator from Jaws, a monster shown in glimpses that leads toward a grand climax. In Welcome to Derry, however, the focus shifts toward more transforming terrors reminiscent of Stephen King's initial book. With the longer duration and high-quality of an premium production, the show takes its time delving into these fears rather than hurrying to highlight Pennywise, leading to a more unsettling, more intense fright than the recent films.

Is It For You?

Every viewer with the slightest knowledge of It ought to know what they're in for when it comes to violence toward children, but Welcome to Derry cranks the volume to the maximum when compared to the miniseries and even the movies. Given that, it deserves a public service announcement if those versions are where one draws the line. Yet still, It: Welcome to Derry is an excellent show with a first installment that's a ideal watch for the spooky time of year.

• Graphic content against children
• Longer episode length for more profound terror building
• More shapeshifting monsters from the source novel
• Establishes a darker tone than previous adaptations