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Pennywise is bound to become a nightmare again with the release of HBO's upcoming prequel, IT: Welcome to Derry. This is a perfect opportunity to brush up on the spine-chilling Stephen King adaptation hailed as one of the best.
The network had previously released a miniseries — The Outsider, based on King's 2018 novel. This was way back in 2020 when the IT movies were still the talk of the town, and HBO had only dreamt of greenlighting Welcome to Derry. Blending a true crime story with the horrors of the supernatural, the series did not gain as much attention as the IT films, which is disappointing.
The series starts with a murder of huge proportions in a small town in the south of Georgia. The main suspect of the murder happens to be a nationally renowned Little League coach portrayed by Jason Bateman. The evidence is nothing less than miraculous—until it is.
Initially, staged as a play on time, the series turns into a game of trust. With a peculiar reality, full of conflicting conundrums and accounts, The Outsider makes a strong case for itself. Although the series strays away from the original novel, the on-screen adaptation is smooth and emotionally tangible.
A 91% score & Stephen King's stamp of approval
Even with a low-key release, The Outsider was well-received with a stunning 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes and praise from critics for its compelling story and atmosphere. Stephen King even tweeted in support of the show, saying it was one of the best adaptations of his novels that he loved.
What makes this show even more interesting is how it intricately blends various genres while remaining emotionally gripping. Unlike many adaptations of King's novels, The Outsider focuses on loss and anticipation instead of jump scares. It is unnerving, deeply moving, and contemplative—all profoundly human, which is something that King is known for.
Why it’s the perfect watch before Welcome to Derry
Welcome to Derry will delve into the backstory of Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the 1960s. In addition to being highly anticipated, it promises to unveil more of the terrifying pre-existing lore behind the IT series. The cherry on top? Bill Skarsgård is set to reprise his role, and Stephen King is also involved in the consultation of the project.
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The Outsider is a splendid companion piece to watch, as you wait for the release of Welcome to Derry. HBO has established a reputation for seamlessly adapting King's works for the screen, while also respecting and remaining faithful to the narrative. This sets high expectations for Welcome to Derry.
Although The Outsider was ultimately cancelled after one season, it remains one of King’s most haunting and psychologically intense adaptations. If you missed it the first time, now’s the best time to catch up!
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