Movies
Pennywise, His Defeat, and The CGI of the Stephen King ‘It: Chapter’ Movies
Whenever the announcement of a classic horror movie remake is made, there is an audible gasp happening in comment sections across the Internet as fans of the original movie collectively clutch their pearls. On the one hand, reservations about remakes are often justified. As horror fans, we’ve seen studio after studio try to make profits by remaking original horror ideas with lackluster effort.
These films insult the original piece, as they’ve skirted through the original’s blood, sweat, and tears to give us a film that feels manufactured.
On the other hand, lives a difficult truth. Remakes modernize horror movies, making them much more palatable to younger audiences. There’s something inside of the grain of old horror movies that causes an immediate disconnect to today’s viewers. So, the truth is, if we love these icons and genuinely wish to keep them alive, we must love the reignitions of their spirit. I often have to remind myself of this when it comes to the Andy Muschietti It movies.
Is the It Remake a Good Movie?
Of all the horror movie remakes to be announced, none caused the visceral reaction so much as the one brought about by the remake of Stephen King’s It. Even my sweet love A Nightmare on Elm Street didn’t have the Internet in as entirely of an uproar when its remake was released.
The film’s announcement went into immediate competition with the It made-for-TV miniseries released in 1990. The film is a beloved viewing staple, with It being the first horror movie many ever saw – not to mention that it is one of Stephen King’s most iconic, chunky stories.
Andy Muschietti had extraordinarily large, clown-sized shoes to fill when approaching this Stephen King adaptation. It’s worth noting that he also had the added difficulty of dealing with the World Clown Association, as they’ve been working diligently to de-monsterize clowns in the mainstream. These films, coupled with the 2016 clown sightings, have given them rugged terrain to tread. And I’m sure John Wayne Gacy’s entire existence created an uphill battle from the start, but I digress.
I tend to have mixed feelings about the It movies. So, it’s time to lay it out: the good, the bad, and the ugly, and see where the movie truly lies in my horror fan heart. Are the It movies good?
Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise
Pennywise is the most easily recognizable thing about It movies, remake or not, so his presentation is essential. Tim Curry is a god amongst men, and finding someone who could deliver us Pennywise anew could not have been easy. Yet, Andy Muschietti achieved the impossible. If you were ever going to find someone to follow Tim Curry to play Pennywise, Bill Skarsgard was it. He is one of the best things about this movie, as he delivered the role masterfully. He’s changed who I picture when someone says “Pennywise,” and for that, he receives all the kudos he is due. If only the CGI had been able to follow suit.
The CGI in the It Movies
The CGI in the It: Chapter movies left a lot to be desired – the scene with the CGI old woman being the largest offender. Her cartoonish face immediately saps all the magic from that moment. Someone alert the toons of Toon Town, as it appears Judge Doom is back with his vat of Dip.
Instead of this grotesque CGI, the better choice would have been to use some old-fashioned practical effects. The choice not to go the more complicated route exemplifies the sin of skirting blood, sweat, and tears that I referenced earlier. It’s understandable in many circumstances, as special effects makeup is hell on the performers, but it’s still getting you docked several points in this case.
I could go on, but I have bigger fish to fry here.
How Pennywise Was Defeated in It: Chapter Two
So far, we’ve talked about the good and the ugly. Now it’s time for the bad. I can think of no other word to describe the ending we received in It: Chapter Two.
Look, I’m a big Nightmare on Elm Street fan. I am no stranger to the cheesy concept of “removing your fear removes its power of you” as being the way to defeat the seemingly invulnerable bad guy. (Although that didn’t *technically* beat Freddy in NOES, I’m reverting my ADHD brain back to the point.)
Of all the ways to defeat Pennywise, having the adults essentially stand in a circle, taking turns in telling Pennywise he’s a loser, causing him to morph into a blubbering mess, was at the bottom of my list.
In the book, the adult Losers defeat Pennywise by crushing his heart inside his body. In It: Chapter Two, they defeat Pennywise by crushing his proverbial heart, and I cannot pretend this is okay.
The Consensus
I want to dislike the Andy Muschietti It movies. I truly do. The CGI and the ending always at once suck the magic out of the horror for me, and each time I’m disappointed when they pop up. However, Bill Skarsgard’s performance as Pennywise makes me inclined to look the other way at the negativity. Don’t get me wrong, we got terrific performances from everyone involved. However, the star of the show is, has been, and always will be Pennywise, and the fact that he was represented so excellently is a huge tip in the film’s favor. After all, one of the most beautiful things we received from the remake of the It movies is the lasting impact Pennywise gets to make now. Whole new generations are growing up terrified of sewers and red balloons; that would not be so if it weren’t for these movies and the performances being so expertly done. All in all, the It movies helped mold a new generation of horror fans, and it will always hold a special place in my heart for that.
Do you wildly disagree? Yell at us about it over on the Horror Press Instagram. Our Editor-In-Chief, James-Michael Fleites, will receive your DMs of rage, not me, but I am sure he’ll happily pass the message along so long as you remember to follow while you’re there.
Halloween season is over, and many streamers have forgotten about us horror kids. While they take their 11-month hiatus from the genre, we can be grateful that we still have an app that cares. We are so lucky that Shudder remains that girl year-round. Whether you’re finishing their new original show Guts & Glory, catching up on The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans, or running at some of their deep cuts like I am, Shudder has your best interests at heart. As usual, she has quite a few titles fighting for our attention. Which is why I am here with five titles I think should be at the top of all of our watch lists this November. So, cancel your holiday plans and pick up your remote because we have got horrifying things to watch.
The Best Movies to Stream on Shudder This Month
Habit (1995)
An alcoholic unwittingly enters into a relationship with a succubus in New York City. If you ever wondered what Larry Fessenden was getting up to in his youth, you need to see this ’90s gem. I lucked out and caught it at Brooklyn Horror Film Festival last year, and I lived my best life. While watching it on the small screen will not be the same, I plan to hit play anyway. Mostly because I love to see 1990s succubi leaving their mark on men…and also the horror genre. Shudder is also adding The Last Winter and Depraved, so we can spend a whole day with Uncle Larry’s work.
Sew Torn (2024)
A seamstress happens upon a failed drug deal and steals a briefcase. She soon finds herself caught in a deadly situation where all roads lead to death. I caught Sew Torn at SXSW last year and have been wondering what happened to it. So, I am very happy this odd little bird has found her way to Shudder. I cannot wait to make my friends who are looking for something cute and deadly watch. I knew nothing when I hit play on this, and I encourage you to know as little as possible, too. I fear I have already written too much in this blurb to be completely honest.
You can watch Sew Torn on November 1st.
The Retreat (2021)
A couple goes on a pre-wedding retreat and unwittingly becomes targets of a group of serial killers. We have seen too many movies about retreats, and I thought this one would be more of the same. This title does not completely reinvent the wheel, but it does set itself apart within this oversaturated subgenre. The Retreat is a surprisingly fun and tense little thriller that feels made for the winter watches. Come for the lesbian characters leading the film, and stay for the violence. I also encourage you to check it out while it is on Shudder, because it is usually on apps with ads.
You can watch The Retreat on November 1st.
The Creep Tapes (Season 2)
Peachfuzz returns with more tapes, chaos, kills, and WTF moments. Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice have reentered the TV arena and are making things weird again. If award shows were real, this duo would be leading the Emmys charge. I saw the first three episodes, and Josef/Peachfuzz is still the serial killer after our own hearts. Our Wolfie is still cutting up (literally and figuratively) in the most amazing ways. Guest stars in danger this season include David Dastmalchian (Late Night with the Devil), Katie Aselton (The League), and Robert Longstreet (The Haunting of Hill House).
You can watch The Creep Tapes (Season 2) on November 14th.
Krampus (2015)
A kid accidentally summons demons during the holidays in this horror comedy. Krampus remains one of the top-tier Christmas horror titles for me. It is also my favorite Michael Dougherty film. Not only because it has the star power of Adam Scott and Toni Collette, either. This movie is wicked, and even the kids are in danger. I do not have many holiday horror movies I revisit every year, but Krampus is one of the very few. It still holds up, and I cannot wait to rewatch it with a festively boozy beverage.
You can watch Krampus on November 15th.
Those are a few reasons I am grateful for Shudder this holiday season. While the rest of you are fighting with your family and friends, I will be parked in front of my TV. You can have your turkey because I would rather gorge myself on episodes of The Creep Tapes anyway.
Let me know what Shudder shenanigans you have got your little eye on. I am nosy and want to make sure I am not missing anything on my favorite streamer.
The year is winding down, and I don’t know about you, but I am trying to pack in as many 2025 horror movies as I can. Is this because I love making end-of-the-year lists? Yes. Is it because I am an unhealed overachiever? Also, yes. So, I am assuming some of you are also cruising the streamers to see what you may have missed. While Netflix has had my favorite new slasher Heart Eyes for a bit, and I have mentioned that in previous streaming guides, they also have other new horror titles to show you.
I do not talk about them as much because I did not have a good time with them. However, that does not mean you won’t enjoy some of these titles. That’s why I am taking the high road and finding something to be grateful for about each of them. That way, you will know there is a silver lining if you do watch them. Allow me to help you figure out what to prioritize this month and what to skip. Check out this chaotic Netflix hitlist below!
The Best Movies to Stream on Netflix This Month
28 Years Later (2025)
A group of survivors on a small island has built a fortress to protect them from the rage virus. However, a young boy discovers what is really outside the walls of their community and sets off to find a cure for his sick mother. We all loved 28 Days Later, and some of us liked 28 Weeks Later. So, 28 Years Later was never going to live up to the hype with almost thirty years of anticipation. While I didn’t love it, I did enjoy seeing Danny Boyle helm another zombie installment. What he does in the subgenre is top-tier, and we are welcome (even if the script left me wanting more). That might have gotten buried in all the talk about the dicks seen in the movie, though.
Fear Street: Prom Queen (2025)
A group of girls competing for prom queen starts disappearing, leaving the underdog to figure out what is happening to her competition. I had a lot of thoughts about this lackluster installment in Netflix’s Fear Street adaptations. As someone who grew up reading Fear Street books and wanting to adapt them myself, I do not understand how this movie came out so badly. Which made it hard to find something nice to say about this title. However, the soundtrack slaps, and it is not the soundtrack’s fault that it was wasted on a low-energy bottom-tier slasher. So, if you hit play on this, you can at least look forward to hearing some retro bangers selected by music supervisor Nora Felder. If you are familiar with her work on Yellowjackets and Stranger Things, you know Felder does not miss.
Maa (2025)
To battle a demon’s curse, a mother transforms into the legendary goddess Kali. As usual, Netflix did not advertise an international horror movie that seemed to have some potential. If they had told us Maa was an Indian Hindi-language mythological horror movie, most people who yell for intersectionality and originality would have run at it. Instead, we had to find out about it months later while looking for something we hadn’t already seen on the app. This movie is too long, and I cannot say it is good by any stretch of the imagination. However, it also made me realize how little I know about the goddess of destruction. If you are a nerd like me, this might lead you down a cool rabbit hole. You can also say you gave a view to a horror movie starring Brown people. Who knows, maybe you could be one of the few who enjoy this chaotic film.
Until Dawn (2025)
A group of friends find themselves trapped in a time loop where they keep getting killed in gruesome ways. I love the video game and was so bummed this adaptation was so bad. However, the practical effects are very cool and should be celebrated more. I think the stuff that the SFX team pulled off might be the only reason to watch the movie personally. I’m happy the actors whose work I enjoy got paid, and that’s another positive thing I can say. However, if we want to see young people in deadly time loops, we have so many movies that do it better. Excuse me as I look right at Happy Death Day and all of the movies that have tried to copy her.
Ziam (2025)
A Muay Thai fighter battles through a zombie apocalypse to save the woman he loves. Netflix fumbled the advertising for this one too, because who doesn’t want to see a Thai zombie film? So, I was excited to watch it, but then sad I did not like it. However, I think this one is on me. It is an action-horror with a lot of heartfelt moments, and that’s not my bag. I wanted more violence and zombie action because I am a broken and heartless ghoul. So, Ziam might be the only movie on this list that does not deserve my bombastic side eye. I am waiting for other people to watch it and let me know if they have a better time with it, though.
While I was not the audience for these movies, I am assuming some of you will dig them. Worst-case scenario, you cross off a few more 2025 horror movies and have something to talk about at Friendsgiving. Happy Horrordays! I will see myself out now…
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