For over 30 years, Stephen King’s It has remained one of the most frightening novels that King has ever written. And it’s not just because we’re all afraid of clowns, although Pennywise definitely isn’t doing any favors for people with coulrophobia. Pennywise is more than just a clown or even a man. He, or It, is something far beyond human comprehension, and Pennywise has many different ways to strike at his victims. No matter how far away they run, Pennywise can always reach them. And he always comes back.
King’s story was adapted as a TV miniseries back in 1990, with Tim Curry in the leading role as Pennywise. Next fall, Bill Skarsgård will step into Pennywise’s creepy clown shoes in a new adaptation of Stephen King’s It. The upcoming movie will take place in the past, as a group of children calling themselves “the Losers” become aware of Pennywise and attempt to stop his reign of terror. The first trailer for the film looks like it may have captured the tone and menace of the original work.
So to prepare you for a return visit to the small town of Derry, IGN is looking back at nine of the scariest things in It. Just remember, “We all float down here.” Spoilers obviously follow.
Throughout the novel, Pennywise commits several murders. But perhaps the most memorable death belonged to poor Georgie Denbrough, a six-year old boy who came across Pennywise while looking for his paper boat in a drain. Georgie was smart enough to be wary of strangers, but not lucky enough to keep his distance from Pennywise. It cost Georgie his arm and his life, while ultimately leading his older brother, Bill, into a confrontation with It.
It seems that Pennywise’s influence can be felt even when he isn’t directly present. Early in the story, Bill witnesses pictures in Georgie’s photo album that appear to move. Later, Bill and Richard see another picture begin to move, and Bill actually manages to cut himself when he touches it. This was simply another way for Pennywise to terrorize them, even when they thought they were safe.
Compare the 2017 film to the 1990 version in the slideshow above.
Pennywise didn’t just target the boys in the Losers. He also found ways to strike at Beverly as well. As she prepared for bed, Beverly heard a voice coming from the sink in her bathroom, which led to blood rushing from the drain. Unfortunately for Beverly, her parents appear to be unable to see the bloody evidence before their own eyes. It was hard enough to deal with Pennywise’s antics, but the kids couldn’t even turn to their parents for help.
After being drawn back to Derry by Pennywise’s renewed murder streak, Bill, Richard, Beverly, Ben, Eddie, and Mike have a reunion lunch. It’s largely a pleasant experience... until dessert. When the waitress serves them with fortune cookies, each of the Losers faces a personalized torment prize inside each one. And once again, only the Losers could see Pennywise’s handiwork.
Part of Eddie’s backstory is that his father brutally murdered his younger brother, Dorsey, in a fit of rage. Pennywise appears to Eddie as Dorsey’s reanimated body, and he scares him so badly that the kid wets himself. That’s just the beginning, as “Dorsey” grabs at Eddie before eventually transforming into a famous movie monster and chasing him through the town. It’s an extended sequence that successfully left the reader wondering whether Eddie would make it out alive.
After the Losers return to town as adults, Beverly finds herself at the home that she grew up in. Her father was long gone, but a kindly old woman was now living there... or that’s what Beverly was meant to think. Instead, Beverly slowly discovers that Pennywise was once again toying with her, and he delights in making her feel helpless and afraid. It’s an unnerving sequence, to say the least.
As part of his attempt to strike at the Losers, Pennywise manipulates Beverly’s crazy husband, Tom, into kidnapping Bill’s wife, Audra. And once Tom brings Audra to him, Pennywise shows them both his true face... or should we say his true form. The experience can’t fully be captured with words, but Tom dies instantly and it drives Audra into a catatonic state. Whatever Pennywise is, it’s not of this Earth.
Not all of the threats in It are supernatural. The bully, Henry Bowers, is one of the most disturbing characters in the story thanks to his cruel and sadistic streak. In one of the more unsettling scenes, Henry attempts to make good on his threat to carve his name into Ben’s chest. Although he only gets as far as the “H,” Henry’s actions serve as a reminder that there is more to evil than just a sinister clown. And Henry’s brand of malevolence is all too real.
From experience, the Losers know that they could find Pennywise at the abandoned house on Neibolt Street. But when they attempt to take the battle to Pennywise on their own terms, they’re lucky to escape with their lives. The emergence of It from the pipes is horrifically memorable… and the subsequent events very nearly lead to the death of Ben.
What’s your favorite scary moment in Stephen King’s It? Let’s discuss in the comments!
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