It: Welcome to Derry is doing this one major thing right that even Stranger Things could not do

A still from the shows (image via Apple TV)
A still from the shows (image via Apple TV)

It: Welcome to Derry has been released on HBO Max with an accurate portrayal of what makes a horror movie a hit. The prequel show explores Derry’s chaotic past and displays how Pennywise shaped the community over the years. While both series deal with supernatural and horror threats taking over a small American city, they tackle their settings with distinctiveness.

Stranger Things has entertained millions in the past with its nostalgic magic and thrilling monster battles. But after five seasons, one issue remains unresolved.

The residents of Hawkins still feel quite disconnected from the chaos around them. Meanwhile, It: Welcome to Derry creates a city where every resident feels a sense of involvement and reality. The series explains why people stay blind to the horror. This difference reveals a crucial strength that sets the HBO show apart.


Why do Hawkins residents seem so unaware?

The conclusion of Stranger Things season 4 changed the whole scenario. The Upside Down tore through Hawkins, splitting the city apart. Giant rifts opened across the landscape. Buildings fell apart, and people died in violent ways. Yet the fifth season tries to come back to ordinary life surprisingly quickly.

The military puts Hawkins under quarantine, but most people embrace this step without much question. This creates a crucial problem. How can an entire town ignore such specific signs of danger? Children have died under mysterious circumstances throughout the show. A huge earthquake-like event destroyed parts of their home.

Still, most adults remain unaware of the supernatural threats, even when Demogorgons chase kids through the streets and create utter havoc.


How does It: Welcome to Derry make its residents more believable?

It: Welcome to Derry solves this chaos with a simple explanation: Pennywise controls the city through supernatural influence. The creature feeds on fear every 27 years and returns to terrorize the kids of Derry. But Pennywise does more than just terrify kids. The entity manipulates adults into rude behavior and pulls people into twisted realities and false memories.

The series makes it very clear why Derry’s adults fail to protect their kids. They exist under Pennywise’s spell, whether they believe it or not. The creature encourages violence and bigotry throughout the gated community. This supernatural control explains their willful blindness. The residents are not just ignoring issues, they fail to see the whole truth because Pennywise clouds their judgment.


What makes It: Welcome to Derry feel more complete?

The HBO show builds on Stephen King’s original story and the recent movie adaptations. Even with just six episodes released, It: Welcome to Derry creates a rich and compelling portrait of community life. The townspeople feel like actual people with their own concerns and relationships. The series reveals how deeply Pennywise has become embedded in the fabric of everyday life.

Every character serves a purpose beyond being background decoration. Adults have their own storylines that connect to the broader horror narrative. Their actions matter even when they fail to understand what is actually happening. This attention to detail makes Derry feel real with high stakes.


Why does Hawkins still feel incomplete?

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Stranger Things focuses heavily on the main group of young heroes and a few key adults. The bigger community rarely gets strong development. Most townspeople exist only as extras in the chaotic scenes. They react to crucial events but never feel like actual residents of a small city.

Small towns typically rally together during crises. Neighbors talk and share information constantly. A single missing child should shake everyone to their core. Instead, Hawkins residents show brief outrage, then disappear from the story. The satanic panic targeting Eddie Munson demonstrated mob mentality; however, it didn’t portray these individuals as genuine.


Will the final episodes address this issue for It: Welcome to Derry?

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The remaining episodes of Stranger Things season 5 will have time to fix this issue. Perhaps the series will finally force Hawkins to confront its reality. The show could give its supporting cast more nuance and agency in the last battle.

It: Welcome to Derry proves that horror themes work better in towns when every resident matters. As both shows continue their narratives, this difference becomes unavoidable.

It: Welcome to Derry succeeds by making every character crucial, while Stranger Things struggles with its city residents.

Edited by Ritika Pal