The first episode of HBO’s It: Welcome to Derry did something shocking. After spending nearly an hour introducing a new group of kids facing Pennywise, the episode ended with all of them being violently killed. This was not a mistake or a last-minute change. The show’s creators have explained this brutal choice was a very intentional message to the audience.
Matilda Lawler as Marge Truman and Clara Stack as Lilly Bainbridge were part of the first group of kids audiences met in 1962 Derry. Along with their friends, they seemed set up to be the main characters of the season. Instead, their story ended in a movie theater where a demonic creature attacked them. This shocking conclusion left viewers stunned and set the tone for the entire series.
Why The Creators Chose To Kill Every Kid In The First Episode
In interviews, creators Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, along with co-showrunner Jason Fuchs, were clear about their goal. They wanted to break expectations from the very start.
Andy Muschietti explained that the movie theater massacre was about creating a feeling that no one in the world of Derry is ever safe. He said the intention was to shock the audience and create engagement from unpredictability.
“It was more a case of shocking the audience into the idea that NO ONE in this world would ever be safe,” said Andy Muschietti.
Barbara Muschietti added that this idea came early in the writers’ room. The plan was to make the audience care about a set of characters and then remove them suddenly. This approach immediately told viewers that Welcome to Derry would be a different kind of horror story, where main characters are not protected by plot armor.
The violent deaths served a second purpose. They showed that this series would be willing to show more graphic horror than the previous It movies. The scene established that the show would not hold back.
How The First Episode Deaths Connect To The Rest Of The Season
The deaths of the first group of kids in 1962 directly leads to the main story of the season. The show then jumps forward to 1960, introducing a new set of characters. This group includes Marge Truman, Lilly Bainbridge, Ronnie Grogan, Will Hanlon, and Rich Santos.
These characters become the central focus, battling Pennywise throughout the first season. The shocking opening creates a constant sense of danger for them, as the audience knows anyone could die at any moment. This tension paid off in later episodes, particularly in episode 7, when Rich Santos sacrifices himself to save Marge from a fire.
That later death was handled differently. Andy Muschietti described Rich’s death as important for creating a tragic love story that would emotionally affect people. This contrast shows the creators used death in two distinct ways: one for shock and unpredictability, and another for deep emotional impact.
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Fan And Critic Reaction To The Shocking Opening
The first episode’s ending generated significant discussion online. Many viewers expressed surprise at the show’s willingness to kill off its apparent main characters so quickly. This move established that the series would be unpredictable, a quality that helped it stand out.
Critically, the show has been well-received. It holds a strong score on review aggregator sites and had one of the biggest series debuts in the history of HBO’s streaming platform. The bold choice in the first episode is seen as a key part of establishing its intense and uncompromising tone.
The series also successfully connects to the wider world of Stephen King’s stories. The first season finale reveals that Marge Truman will grow up to become the mother of Richie Tozier, a main character from the original It novel and films. This adds a deeper layer to the earlier deaths, showing how Pennywise’s actions across different time periods are connected.
Bill Skarsgård returns as Pennywise, the evil entity that feeds on fear. The season also features Chris Chalk as Dick Hallorann, a character with psychic abilities who first appeared in King’s The Shining. His journey in Welcome to Derry shows how he learns to use his powers for good.
The first season is now streaming on HBO Max. A second season has not been officially announced, but the creators have discussed ideas for continuing the story, potentially exploring other time periods in Derry’s dark history.
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