After 27 years of silence, It strikes again. Based on Stephen King’s 1986 horror novel of the same name, It pits a group of outcast teenagers against a mythical, shape shifting demon-clown named Pennywise. The film follows the kids throughout summer as they uncover the truth about mysterious disappearances in their small town.

It was well received by critics and grossed over $120 million in its opening weekend. Since then, It has become the highest grossing R-rated horror film ever, a record previously held by The Exorcist. However, I do not believe It reached its full potential.

A horror film should terrify its audience. In that aspect, It fell short. Indeed, Pennywise was a truly unsettling and terrifying character. The film’s generally passable effects and an excellent performance by Bill Skarsgård worked together to make Pennywise feel unnatural while still seeming realistic; a delicate balance that built Pennywise into a great villain. Whenever Pennywise was on screen, It really felt like a horror film. Where It suffered was its pacing. It came out guns blazing in the first scene and from then  fluctuated between intense horror and relaxed fun. Thrilling scenes were bookended with Sandlot-esque 80s teenage banter scenes that felt more like a comedy than anything else. Surprisingly, this was where It excelled. My favorite parts of the film were the jokes by quick-witted Richie, who horror fans may recognize as Mike from Stranger Things.

However, what really brought It down for me was its plot. It was not immune to any of the classic horror film tropes. Characters that actively put themselves in harm’s way? Check. Heavy reliance on jump scares? Check. Characters that split up for no reason when danger is present? Check. Needless love triangle? Check. There was even a Sleeping Beauty style kiss of life. Characters acting without reason has long been the bane of horror films. It was no exception to that rule. Additionally, the film ended with glaring questions left unanswered, which obviously alludes to a cash-grab sequel on the horizon.

Ultimately, It is a passable film. If you have the chance, go see It, but do not feel too bad if you miss its time in the theater. There will be better horror films out this month to satisfy viewers. I give It an above average grade of 6.5/10.

Keaton Maier

A&E Editor