It, the 1990 TV miniseries based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, traumatized many a youngster in its day with Tim Curry’s horrifying portrayal of the shapeshifting evil clown Pennywise. Now, the big screen modern remake has just released its first trailer, and it looks primed to make a whole new generation afraid of clowns — while reinforcing the fears of the old generation, too. Check it out below.
I don’t think I’m alone in thinking that this movie will be considerably scarier than the original. Pennywise — portrayed this time around by Bill Skarsgård — looks more outright terrifying, the cinematography and effects are far superior, and it’s unlikely that this version features a laughable claymation giant spider. With a story like It, the more realistic it feels, the more effective the horror, and this new version seems to really nail the experience of growing up in a creepy small Maine town (source: I grew up in a creepy small Maine town).
If you’re not familiar with the original and you’re getting a Stranger Things vibe from the new trailer, that’s no coincidence. The Netflix series was heavily influenced by It, and you may have even noticed that actor Finn Wolfhard (Mike in Stranger Things) is one of the kids in the It trailer as well. The new movie is directed by Andrés Muschietti — who also helmed 2013’s Mama, one of the most underrated horror films of the last decade — and after seeing the It trailer, I have every confidence that he knocked this one out of the park.
It hits theaters on September 8.
