It: Welcome to Derry Delivers the Year's Most Unnerving TV Moment

There are television moments that linger long after the credits roll, and the penultimate episode of HBO’s It: Welcome to Derry is certainly one of them. The series, a much-talked-about prequel to Stephen King’s classic, reaches a fever pitch as it revisits one of the novel’s most infamous events: the destruction of The Black Spot. The sequence is not only technically impressive but also emotionally devastating, offering a stark portrayal of both human and otherworldly evil.

Unflinching Portrayal of Human Cruelty

Despite ample foreshadowing, the attack on Hallorann’s club is a gut punch. Chief Bowers (Peter Outerbridge) and his band of bigots, faces obscured by Universal Monsters masks, descend upon the venue with a chilling sense of purpose. Director Andy Muschietti had previously hinted that this moment would be pivotal, and the result is every bit as harrowing as promised. Even for those familiar with the source material, the adaptation’s tweaks and the addition of a particularly tragic loss make the ordeal feel fresh and deeply unsettling.

Unlike the novel, which suggests that Derry’s residents are influenced by the presence of It, the series strips away any ambiguity. Bowers and his followers are driven by their own prejudices, intent on capturing the wrongly accused Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider). When the crowd refuses to comply, the attackers barricade the exits and hurl Molotov cocktails through the windows, waiting outside to shoot anyone who escapes. The chaos is captured in a relentless three-minute tracking shot, immersing viewers in the panic and confusion as the fire spreads.

Technical Brilliance and Emotional Impact

The episode’s director orchestrates a complex ballet of actors and action, with the camera weaving through smoke and terror. The result is a sequence that feels immediate and claustrophobic, drawing the audience into the heart of the disaster.

"It was about showing these kids and the audience that the ultimate terror of Derry might just be the humans who live there," Fuchs notes. "They're not brainwashed. They're not hypnotised. Those are people making the cruelest choices imaginable, and I don't think there is an aspect of horror more horrifying in season 1 than what they do in the context of that attack. Although, you know, It has done his part to rile things up, and certainly takes advantage."

Witnessing the events through the eyes of children adds a further layer of horror. The loss of innocence is both literal and figurative, as the young characters are forced to confront the worst of humanity. The death of Arian S. Cartaya’s Rich, who sacrifices himself to save Marge (Matilda Lawler), is particularly affecting. His final moments, recalling his first encounter with Marge before sealing her in a cooler, are quietly devastating—far more haunting than any supernatural spectacle the series has offered so far.

Rewriting the Past for Greater Impact

The decision to place the children at the centre of the tragedy marks a significant departure from the book, where Will Hanlon, father of future Losers’ Club member Mike, survives the fire as an adult. Here, the timeline is shifted to 1962, and the presence of the younger characters heightens the sense of vulnerability and loss.

"In terms of Will and the kids being there, we wanted the audience to experience this through the eyes of those characters," says Fuchs. "They've experienced the entire story through the eyes of the kids, with the exception of Leroy, Charlotte and Hallorann. There's something even more tragic, I think, about seeing the worst of humanity through young characters who are all about what's best about humanity."

The children’s hopefulness and determination stand in stark contrast to the brutality they witness. Their ordeal raises questions about whether unity and belief can overcome fear and division—a theme that resonates throughout the series. The finale hints at a temporary victory, but with more seasons on the horizon, the sense of unease lingers.