Pennywise is back… Actually, the talented Bill Skarsgård returned as a spooky clown haunting the inhabitants of an American town. “To: Welcome to Derry”, a series developing the universe of Stephen King’s novel, debuted on HBO Max on October 27, and on Halloween the second episode appeared on the service.
The production immediately won the hearts of viewers due to the perfect combination of a gripping story, stunning shots and terrifying plot twists. The main creators are Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs, and on the screen we watch such actors as Bill Skarsgård, Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Matilda Lawler, Clara Stack, Amanda Christine and Blake Cameron James.
The latest HBO Max production begins with the mysterious disappearance of Matta’Clements’ ego. Concerned friends from school who are beginning to be haunted by similar nightmares – Lilly, Ronnie, Terry and Phil – decide to find him on their own. Their mission does not end well – Terry and Phil disappear, and Lilly and Ronnie cannot explain how it happened. The girls join forces and, together with their new companions, decide to collect evidence of the mysterious power behind the kidnappings.
The new opening of the series “It: Welcome to Derry” may give you chills. Made by the Filmograph team under Andy’s watchful eye’Muschietti, director of films and series from the universe, the opening sequence takes the viewer to the middle of a seemingly idyllic town in the 1960s. The creators play with contrast, as the infantile-sounding song “A Smile and A Ribbon” performed by Patience and Prudence becomes an ironic commentary on the growing tension.
“What we did looked so much better because the song itself is so harrowing,” the creators said. “It follows characters trying to convince themselves that their greatest fears are not real.”
On the screen, a quiet town begins to turn into a real horror. In the animation, the postcard atmosphere of the titular Derry disappears, and Pennywise emerges from under the pastel colors – a harbinger of death and destruction. “It has a lot to do with what Derry is – a seemingly healthy place, but there’s something terrifying beneath the surface,” Muschietti said.
The animation was created digitally, but HBO allowed the team to transfer the finished sequence to film to add realism and grain. “Andy kept saying, ‘I want the dirtiest version'” – recalls Filmograph producer Troy James Miller. The final effect simply has to be seen! See the headliner here.
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