Just spotted over on the digital front lines of r/horror, a new wave of discourse is hitting the Max original series Welcome to Derry. While fans have been starving for a return to the cursed streets of Maine, early reactions to the pilot episode’s cold open suggest that the transition from the big screen to the small screen might be hitting some tonal speed bumps. Specifically, a certain "demon baby" is causing a stir among the horror faithful, and not necessarily for the right reasons.
From High-Tension Terror to Unintentional Comedy?
According to a trending report from Reddit user /u/CasketWhisperer, the pilot episode of Welcome to Derry starts with a masterclass in atmospheric dread. The sequence involves a high-stakes car scene that allegedly builds anxiety to a fever pitch, mirroring the claustrophobic tension we've come to expect from the Andy Muschietti-led franchise. However, the momentum reportedly comes to a screeching halt when the "horror" takes a turn for the bizarre. The user notes that the reveal of a deformed demon baby shifted the vibe from unsettling to "cringe," prompting them to nearly turn off the screen before the first act even concluded.
"The whole car scene leading up to the demon baby coming out was intense and actually anxiety-inducing," the user shared. "But when the demon baby came out it went from horror to comedy, and it just went down hill from there." This sentiment is sparking a larger debate within the community: is the IT prequel leaning too far into the campy, surrealist horror that polarized some audiences in IT Chapter Two?
A Question of Tone: Evil Dead vs. Derry
One of the most poignant critiques coming out of this developing story is the comparison to other horror franchises. Fans have pointed out that while over-the-top, grotesque puppets or creatures work perfectly in a series like Ash vs Evil Dead, they feel out of place in the dark, grounded mythology established by Stephen King. The consensus among the skeptical crowd seems to be that Welcome to Derry should be prioritizing the "unsettling" over the "outrageous."
Instead of a "demon baby," some viewers suggested that a more traditional, "right out of the grave" rotting corpse would have better suited the unsettling vibe of Derry's history. This highlights a growing tension between modern VFX-heavy horror and the gritty, practical aesthetics that many fans feel the IT franchise deserves. If the show aims to explore the deep-seated trauma of the town across different decades, some argue that "ridiculous" creature designs might undercut the emotional weight of Pennywise’s influence. Take this with a grain of salt, as comedy in horror is highly subjective, but the early word of mouth is certainly leaning toward frustration.
What This Means for the Rest of the Series
While this is just one scene in a larger production, the pilot often sets the blueprint for what's to come. If Welcome to Derry continues to blend body horror with comedic elements, it may find itself alienating those who preferred the more straightforward terror of the 2017 film. However, it's worth noting that Pennywise—and the cosmic entity behind the clown—is inherently absurdist. The "Deadlights" aren't exactly logical, and King's original source material is filled with high-concept weirdness that often defies traditional horror tropes.
As this is a developing story, we'll be keeping a close eye on further audience reactions as the series rolls out to a wider viewership. Is the "demon baby" a one-off misstep, or a sign of a new, experimental direction for the franchise? For now, the horror community remains divided. One thing is certain: Pennywise still knows how to get people talking, even if it's for all the wrong reasons.