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The Evolution of Fear: Comparing Stephen King’s “IT” Across Book, TV Movie, and Big Screen Adaptations

  • Writer: Carrie Lemieux
    Carrie Lemieux
  • Oct 1, 2024
  • 5 min read


Stephen King’s IT is a seminal work in the horror genre, captivating audiences through its exploration of childhood fears and the nature of evil. Since its publication in 1986, IT has been adapted into a 1990 TV miniseries and a two-part film series released in 2017 and 2019. Each adaptation brings its own unique interpretation to King’s sprawling narrative. By comparing the book, the TV movie, and the big screen adaptations, we can see how each medium handles the story’s themes, characters, and horror elements.


Stephen King’s IT is a seminal work in the horror genre, captivating audiences through its exploration of childhood fears and the nature of evil. Since its publication in 1986, IT has been adapted into a 1990 TV miniseries and a two-part film series released in 2017 and 2019. Each adaptation brings its own unique interpretation to King’s sprawling narrative. This essay will compare the book, the TV movie, and the big screen adaptations, examining how each medium handles the story’s themes, characters, and horror elements.


King’s novel is a dense, richly detailed work that spans over 1,000 pages. It alternates between two timelines, following the Losers’ Club as children in the 1950s and as adults in the 1980s. The book delves deeply into the history of Derry, Maine, and the personal backgrounds of each character, providing a comprehensive understanding of their fears and motivations. The novel’s primary themes include the power of memory, the loss of innocence, and the cyclical nature of evil. King uses the character of Pennywise the Dancing Clown to personify these themes, making him a manifestation of the town’s collective fears. The depth of character development in the book allows readers to form strong emotional connections with the Losers’ Club, enhancing the impact of their journey (King).


The 1990 TV miniseries, directed by Tommy Lee Wallace, is often remembered for Tim Curry’s iconic portrayal of Pennywise. The miniseries condenses the novel’s complex narrative into a more digestible format, focusing primarily on the horror elements and the bond between the Losers’ Club. While the miniseries captures the essence of the story, it is limited by its budget and the constraints of network television. The special effects and makeup, though effective for their time, may seem dated to modern audiences. Additionally, the miniseries struggles to balance the dual timelines, often sacrificing character development for the sake of pacing (“Stephen King’s IT: 10 Key Differences”).


The recent film adaptations, directed by Andy Muschietti, split the story into two parts: IT (2017) and IT Chapter Two (2019). These films benefit from advanced special effects, a larger budget, and a more flexible rating system, allowing for a more graphic and intense portrayal of the horror elements. The films update the setting of the children’s timeline to the 1980s, which resonates with contemporary audiences and capitalizes on the current wave of ‘80s nostalgia. The character of Pennywise, portrayed by Bill Skarsgård, is more menacing and otherworldly compared to Curry’s version. The films also place a greater emphasis on the psychological horror aspects, exploring the characters’ traumas in more depth (“Stephen King’s It: 6 Movie Vs Book Differences”).


Welcome to Derry: Expanding the Universe


In addition to the existing adaptations, HBO is set to release a prequel series titled Welcome to Derry. This series aims to explore the origins of Pennywise and the dark history of Derry, Maine. Scheduled for release in 2025, Welcome to Derry will delve into the events that shaped the town and its inhabitants long before the Losers’ Club faced the malevolent clown (“Welcome to Derry on HBO”).


The series is expected to provide a deeper understanding of the mythology surrounding Pennywise, potentially revealing how the entity came to be and why it returns to Derry every 27 years. By focusing on a new group of characters, Welcome to Derry will expand the narrative universe of IT, offering fresh perspectives on the horror that has plagued the town for generations (“Welcome To Derry: Cast, Story, Teaser Trailer & Everything We Know”). This prequel promises to blend the psychological and supernatural elements that have made King’s story so compelling, while also introducing new layers of terror and intrigue.


Each adaptation takes liberties with the source material, but the core story remains intact. The book’s intricate details and subplots are often streamlined or omitted in the adaptations, which is necessary given the constraints of their respective formats. The book provides the most comprehensive character development, allowing readers to fully understand the Losers’ Club. The TV miniseries, while nostalgic, often simplifies the characters to fit its runtime. The films strike a balance, offering deeper character exploration than the miniseries but still falling short of the novel’s depth. The horror in King’s novel is both psychological and supernatural, with Pennywise embodying the deepest fears of each character. The TV miniseries focuses more on the supernatural aspects, while the films blend both psychological and supernatural horror, using modern special effects to enhance the terror.


Stephen King’s IT is a multifaceted story that has been successfully adapted across different mediums, each bringing its own strengths and weaknesses. The novel remains the most comprehensive version, offering a deep dive into the characters and themes. The 1990 TV miniseries, despite its limitations, holds a nostalgic charm and introduced many to the horror of Pennywise. The recent film adaptations provide a modern, visually stunning take on the story, appealing to both new and longtime fans. With the upcoming Welcome to Derry series, the legacy of IT continues to grow, promising to explore new depths of fear and fascination. Ultimately, each version of IT contributes to the enduring legacy of King’s masterpiece, proving that true horror transcends the boundaries of medium.



Works Cited



© Carrie S. Lemieux/CSLemieuxAuthor 2024. All rights reserved.

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