The new horror series It: Welcome to Derry premiered on October 26, 2025, on HBO. The prequel, which brings back Bill Skarsgård as the terrifying Pennywise, aims to explore the dark history of the cursed town. While the show has been praised for its daring plot twists and creepy atmosphere, a significant number of fans and critics have expressed disappointment with its computer-generated visuals.
The first episode introduces a new group of children in 1962 Derry, setting the stage for Pennywise’s latest cycle of violence. The premiere features some brutal and unexpected events, but the appearance of a specific CGI monster has become a major point of discussion online.
Fan Reactions to the Visual Effects
A key point of criticism following the premiere has been the show’s use of computer-generated imagery, particularly for a monster that appears in the opening and closing scenes.
On social media and forums, many viewers specifically called out the design of a “mutant baby” creature. One fan on Reddit commented that they were “expecting something more convincing than a bad CGI monster baby,” while another user on X (formerly Twitter) stated, “If the cgi wasn’t so baaaaad that theatre scene might have had a bigger impact on me. I couldn’t get over how cheesy that baby monster looked.”
This criticism points to a pattern noted by some entertainment outlets. A review from Screen Rant observed that the “abomination of the demon bat baby form of Pennywise was distractingly bad,” and that the “cartoonishly fake look” undercut the horror of the scene.
A Shocking and Unpredictable Storyline
Despite the visual criticisms, the plot of the premiere episode has been widely noted for its bold and unpredictable narrative. The story makes a very daring move early on that subverts audience expectations about which characters are safe.
The ending of the first episode features a bloody sequence in a movie theater that results in several major character deaths. Barbara Muschietti, one of the show’s co-creators, referred to this scene as the show’s “Red Wedding,” a comparison to the famously shocking episode of Game of Thrones.
This narrative risk was appreciated by many fans online. One Reddit user noted the “nice rug pull to give those kids arcs & personalities then brutally take them out,” while another called the ending “CRAZY” and praised the “balls on that plot point.” This approach successfully establishes that no character is safe from Pennywise’s hunger, raising the stakes for the entire series.
How It Compares to the Previous Films
The reaction to the CGI in Welcome to Derry has drawn comparisons to the 2019 film It: Chapter Two. Critics of the movie often pointed to its over-reliance on visual effects, which some felt diminished the scary and personal nature of the horror.
An analysis by ComicBook.com suggested the new series risks repeating the sequel’s missteps. The article noted that the premiere “pivots towards the less successful formula of IT: Chapter Two,” opting for “loud spectacle” and “cartoonish CGI” over the slow-building, atmospheric dread that made the first 2017 film so effective.
This sentiment was echoed by professional reviews. IGN’s review of the premiere stated, “If you found the scares in the It movies which leaned more on CG a letdown, the main form Pennywise takes when it does appear in this first episode will likely be more distraction than nightmare fuel.”
A Split Verdict from Critics
Professional reviews for the series have been mixed, reflecting the divided fan response. On the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, the series currently holds a 78% critics score.
Some critics have praised the show’s ambition and expansion of the Stephen King universe. Slashfilm called it a “total monster mash that should satisfy hungry horror fans,” while Variety described it as a “worthy prequel series.” The show has been commended for its world-building, its handling of 1960s Americana, and its willingness to be extremely violent.
Other reviews have been less positive. The Daily Beast went as far as to call it “the worst King adaptation in many moons,” and Slant Magazine criticized the contrast between its “unsettling moments of terror” and “cheapest and corniest” CGI elements.
The Absence of Pennywise
Another talking point from the premiere is the limited screen time for the series’ main attraction. Bill Skarsgård’s Pennywise the Clown does not make a full appearance in the first episode.
His presence is felt through brief glimpses and eerie sounds, but the clown form is kept in the background. IndieWire confirmed that “audiences shouldn’t hold their breath waiting for his arrival,” while Collider noted that “there is nowhere near enough Pennywise” in the early episodes, though Skarsgård makes the most of his limited time.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
The premiere of It: Welcome to Derry has successfully reignited interest in the franchise, though not without sparking debate. The show has been praised for its strong opening sequence, its creepy tone, and a willingness to take major narrative risks that make the town of Derry feel dangerous and unpredictable.
However, the divisive reception to its special effects highlights the challenges of adapting Stephen King’s cosmic horror for the screen. For many viewers, the most effective scares come from suspense and the unseen, a quality that some feel was compromised by the choice to feature a fully-rendered, CGI monster so prominently in the first episode.
The series will continue to release new episodes weekly on HBO and HBO Max. With the second episode arrived on October 31, 2025, viewers will soon see if the show maintains its brutal storytelling and whether it can overcome the early criticisms of its visual effects.
Also Read: It: Welcome to Derry Star Bill Skarsgard Scares Young Co-Stars With Pennywise Pranks
