HORROR MOVIE REVIEWS

Today, we head back up to Maine for another Stephen King thriller with the 2017 remake of It Chapter One. This film delivers a thrilling, horrifying, and surprisingly heartfelt take on King’s terrifying tale of Pennywise the Dancing Clown.

The story centers around a group of misfit kids—the Losers’ Club—as they band together to confront an ancient evil that feeds on their fears. It’s a story of childhood friendship and courage, set against the backdrop of creeping terror.

Let’s break it down, category by category:

Monsters/Villains: 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡 (9.0)

Pennywise, played by Bill Skarsgård, is nothing short of terrifying. From his unsettling smile to his childlike voice that quickly descends into monstrous rage, this version of Pennywise feels both otherworldly and predatory. Skarsgård masterfully balances charm and horror, making every scene with him an exercise in tension. The way the film visualizes fear—whether through Pennywise’s transformations or eerie set pieces—is genuinely spine-chilling.

Actors/Characters: 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖(8.3)

The Losers’ Club is the heart of the movie, and the young actors absolutely nail their roles. Each character feels distinct, with their own struggles and personalities. Jaeden Martell (Bill), Finn Wolfhard (Richie), Sophia Lillis (Beverly), and the rest of the cast bring an authenticity that makes their camaraderie believable and endearing. Their chemistry makes the stakes feel real, and you can’t help but root for them.

Story: 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖(7.4)

The film does a solid job of adapting King’s book for the big screen. Unlike the original miniseries, this movie focuses exclusively on the kids’ timeline, which is a great decision. One of my biggest criticisms of both the book and the original adaptation is how the story repeats itself when switching between timelines. Personally, I think this should just be titled It and leave out the “Chapter Two” altogether.

Joe Score: 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖 (8.8)

This movie is truly terrifying. Whether it’s the Georgie opening scene, Pennywise replacing Bill’s mom right before our eyes, or the scene in the library where the librarian in the background subtly changes—it always sends chills down my spine.

Overall: 🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈 (8.3)

Updated List:

  1. The Exorcist (9.25)

  2. Psycho (9.22)

  3. Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (9.0)

  4. The Omen (1976) (8.45)

  5. Salem’s Lot (8.4)

  6. The Ghost & Mr Chicken (8.32)

  7. It (2017) (8.3)

  8. Rosemary’s Baby (8.28)

  9. The Phantom of the Opera (1925) (8.08)

  10. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) (8.07)

  11. The Wolfman (1941) (7.98)

  12. The Lost Boys (7.97)

  13. The Thing (1982) (7.67)

  14. The Fog (7.5)

  15. Homicidal (7.12)

  16. Halloween (1978) (6.65)

  17. Ernest Scared Stupid (5.35)

  18. Monster Squad (5.22)

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