“They all float down here… You’ll float too…” That simple phrase is one of the most iconic elements in Stephen King’s classic novel. It’s a line that sounds so innocent but it carries such a sinister meaning. Like the balloon in the clown’s hand hiding within the storm drain, dead bodies also float… or in this case, poor Georgie. Once the body builds up gases from bacteria, dead bodies float to the surface. With this in mind, director Andy Muschietti and the makeup department creepily emphasize this water and floating imagery throughout the film in subtle ways.
The film’s opening production logos are showered in rain, leading into the iconic scene previously mentioned. But they don’t stop just there. Many of the characters – especially the misguided and deplorable adult characters – are sweaty and oily. You can practically smell the sweat and dirt caked on their faces. And then there’s the clown, Pennywise. Each line of dialogue comes with a dribble of saliva that oozes onto his ruffled collar. It sounds like a gooey film, just not in the traditional bloody sense – it’s an intelligent director carefully utilizing a motif to build atmosphere and remind the audience of the constant threat, even when It isn’t on screen to terrify us.
IT tells the story of a group of outsiders in small town Derry, Maine. What begins as a small group of boys, quickly expands as other kids are drawn into Bill’s desire to find out who or what is causing the children of the town to go missing, including his brother Georgie. The Losers Club discover a connection with the town’s sewers, but as they delve deeper, a mysterious clown and other strange sights start appearing to each member of the group.
While the TV miniseries that was released in 1990 intercut the child and adult scenes from the book, this new adaptation focuses just on “The Losers Club” section of the book. This focus will draw immediate comparisons to another King adaptation, STAND BY ME, along with the popular Netflix series STRANGER THINGS (both featuring the talented Finn Wolfhard). But the screenplay attributed to Chase Palmer, Cary Fukunaga, and Gary Dauberman (Fukunaga previously attached to direct before leaving the project), is quick to define each of these characters and this specific world. Sure, it’s a coming of age story complete with “your mom jokes” and foul-mouthed zingers you would expect from boys and girls in the late-80s. It even includes a montage set to The Cure’s “Six Different Way” (one of the best uses of the song I’ve seen in a film). However, it’s important to remember that STRANGER THINGS wouldn’t be what it is without Stephen King’s IT.
Director Andy Muschietti creates a perfect balance of laughter, drama, and thrills that should satisfy King fanatics along with those looking for a memorable coming-of-age horror film. Sophia Lillis is captivating as the strong-willed and defiant Beverly who doesn’t buckle under the pressure from her father and classmates and as the sole female voice in the gang. Muschietti always focuses on the characters first, placing their internal and external struggles front and center instead of just cheap jump-scares. IT is a story that can be hard to tackle, but the Argentine director shows no signs of being intimidated by the material. In fact, he isn’t afraid to embrace the scope of the story. What could’ve easily gone the route of overused clown scares, results in a carefully constructed film that goes beyond being an exceptional horror film.
Many fans of the book were nervous about Bill Skarsgård’s look as the clown Pennywise. His commitment to the character results in several uncomfortable moments, but many will be surprised that his hair-raising visage isn’t utilized more. But once again, it shows a director who knows when to show restraint. My main complaint is actually how he utilizes the other frightening imagery. Like his previous film MAMA, Muchietti uses characters quickly moving towards the camera and a strong reliance on distorted faces to scare the audience, including a creepy surreal figure and a ghostly Georgie with a deteriorating face. But I guess it’s hard to top yourself after you open with the most shocking and grisly scene in the entire film – an uneasy scene that establishes the fear that the Losers succumb to.
IT masterfully creates defining characters you can connect with. Even at a lengthy 2 hrs. and 15. mins, the pacing flows naturally from scene to scene and character to character, gracefully transitioning from one set-piece to another. Breathing life into each of the seven members of The Losers Club is no easy task. Each has their own voice and distinct characteristics. And each manages to shine with a warm empathetic glow. Despite what you feel about the horror elements, IT will surprise you with its depiction of the thoughtful, vulgar, and emotional moments that we remember from childhood. Memories that can never be washed away by the rain.
Overall rating: 4 out of 5
IT opens in theaters everywhere Friday, September 8th
