Story by Maddie Creech, Reporter
Photo Courtesy CinemaBlend

It’s best not to buy popcorn for this horror thriller, because it will be all over the floor by the the time the lights fade on. A daring remake of the novel by Stephen King, “It” raked in $123 million in box office sales this past opening weekend, and it seems that the creepy clowns are taking over again this year.

Directed by Andy Muschietti, “It” revolves around the small town of Derry, Maine, which is being terrorized by a slew of child kidnappings.  The main characters, Bill (Jaeden Liberher), Ben (Jeremy Ray Taylor), Bev (Sophia Lillis), Eddie (Jack Dylan Grazer), Richie (Finn Wolfhard), Mike (Chosen Jacobs) and Stan (Wyatt Oleff) form “The Loser Club.” They then set off in search of whatever it is that is taking these children, one of whom is Bill’s younger brother Georgie (Jackson Robert Scott).

As the summer heat sets in,the young stars find themselves battling their own worst fears while trying not to be the next children taken. Ultimately, the kids must decide what’s more important: saving the town or saving themselves.

What is arguably the most thrilling part of the film is not the jump scares themselves, but where they take place. Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård), also known as “It,” strikes whenever the characters are least expecting it. Whether it be in their own homes, public places, even in plain sight of other people, Pennywise strikes with reckless abandon, which makes it even harder to predict his next move. His maniacal laugh and ability to be everywhere creates an underlying fear throughout the movie. Nobody knows where or when he’ll turn up and if the victim will make it out alive. This chilling detail has you glancing behind your shoulder and half expecting his glowing eyes to be there, only to be more scared when find them staring at you across the forty-foot movie screen.

If you’re looking for a movie to start off your scary movie season, “It” does not disappoint. The graphics are eerily realistic, the acting by the young cast is phenomenal and Pennywise is one of those characters you are glad is only on the screen. Walking out of this movie, I felt like staying away from carnivals and sewer drains. That is, unless Pennywise has student loan forgiveness down there.