It: Welcome to Derry - What is the symbolism of the house mean for Pennywise? Details explored

The fourth episode of It: Welcome to Derry features a familiar image that longtime fans will immediately recognize. It's of a crumbling house, sagging under it's own history. For those who are unfamiliar with it, it's Neibolt Street, an iconic presence of the franchise that made an appearance on the show much earlier than most expected it. The house bears a strong connection with Pennywise, and will most likely be an important part of the coming episodes.

For those who know, the Neibolt House was the first location where the Losers Club physically confronted Pennywise. In the 2017 film adaptation, the location is where the kids first injure Pennywise, which is an iconic scene as it gave them the confidence and realization that they could fight back and defeat him.

The series leans into this history by suggesting that the house was directly connected to the sewer network that was Pennywise's nest for so long. Many have debated the house's origin too as it appears equally ruined in all the years it has been on screen, suggesting it's identity as something more than just a house.

The films also hinted at a more literal connection between Pennywise and the house. When Pennywise dies in It: Chapter Two, the house collapses into a massive crater. If the building disintegrates when the creature falls, then perhaps the house is less a structure and more an extension of Pennywise’s presence, a physical echo of his corruption.

More details about It: Welcome to Derry

It: Welcome to Derry takes fans back to the roots of the iconic villain, as a prequel series to the earlier films with Bill Skarsgard returning as the titular antagonist. The show was developed by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, who worked on the idea in 2022 before being greenlit by HBO. With the first season running, it has already garnered much praise from fans for it's haunting premise and it's attention to detail exploration of Pennywise's origins.

Skarsgard has previously spoken about not wanting to return as the character, but changed his mind after seeing the showrunners' vision for the show. Talking about it during the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the actor said,

“I felt like I was done with it in a way. It was also because I was shooting this, I was doing Orlok, and to me it just felt like, ‘OK, this is the nail in the coffin on my monster roles.’ Pun intended. So I did feel like I was kind of over it and wanted to do different things.”

The show's story unfolds in 1962, following a couple and their son who move to Derry just as a young boy disappears. Their arrival seems to shake something loose in the town, and the calm surface begins to split open as darker forces emerge.

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It: Welcome to Derry is streaming on HBO Max.

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