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IT: WELCOME TO DERRY EPISODE 1 REACTION!! 1x01 Breakdown & Review | Stephen King | Pennywise

2025-10-27 Entertainment
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Reel Rejects
Reel Rejects
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IT: Welcome to Derry Episode 1 Reaction and Breakdown

Dive into the chilling origins of Pennywise as the hosts react to the shocking premiere of IT: Welcome to Derry, detailing early character deaths and major Stephen King mythos connections.

Short Summary

  • The premiere successfully immerses viewers in the 1962 setting of Derry, Maine, through strong introductory character beats.
  • The hosts were immediately invested in the 1960s Losers Club, only to see several key characters killed violently in the opening act.
  • The episode masterfully built suspense by withholding a full Pennywise appearance, relying instead on environmental horror and suggestive imagery.
  • Analysts noted strong casting continuity suggesting connections to other major horror/supernatural projects.

This review covers the immediate, intense reactions to Episode 1 of the IT prequel series, Welcome to Derry. The panel—Roxy, Tara, and Andrew—analyzes the episode's commitment to 1960s atmosphere, its subversion of expectation by immediately killing off beloved new characters, and the implications for the ongoing horror narrative. This episode sets a dark, violent tone that promises a deep dive into Derry’s generational trauma.

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HOOOLY CRAP, THAT INTRO!! IT: Welcome to Derry Full Episode Reaction Watch Along: https://www.patreon.com/thereelrejects - Go to https://www.HelloFresh.com/REJECTS10FM now to Get 10 Free Meals + a Free Item per box for Life with active subscription! - IT (2017) Movie Reaction: - IT: Chapter Two (2019) Movie Reaction: - Grab The New TARAfier Tee & Halloween Sweater: https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ With Stephen King's "IT" more popular than ever, the Scream Queens (Tara & Roxy) team up with Andrew Gordon (Cinepals) to give their IT: Welcome to Derry Reaction, Recap, Commentary, Breakdown, & Spoiler Review! Roxy Striar, Tara Erickson & Andrew Gordon react to Episode 1 of IT: Welcome to Derry — the chilling new prequel series from Andy Muschietti & Barbara Muschietti (who brought us the films IT (2017) and IT: Chapter Two). Set in 1962 in the eerily haunted town of Derry, Maine, this first episode plunges us straight into the dark origins of the evil entity known as Pennywise and the terrifying undercurrents of a seemingly quiet town. The cast features Bill Skarsgård (reprising his role as Pennywise – Barbarian, Hemlock Grove) alongside Taylour Paige as Charlotte Hanlon (The Toxic Avenger), Jovan Adepo as Leroy Hanlon (Babylon), and Chris Chalk as Dick Hallorann (Perry Mason, Gotham)—all battling the rising terror that first gripped Derry. Stand-out, highly searched moments in this premiere include the opening bloodbath sequence that sets the tone for the season, the first eerie encounter with children hearing voices in the pipes, and the brief but bone-chilling glimpse of Pennywise emerging from darkness. With its mix of vintage 1960s Americana, supernatural dread, and Stephen King mythos, this premiere sets the stage for a horror saga that goes beyond jump scares — it digs into generational trauma, town secrets, and the evil that lingers just beneath the surface. #ITWelcomeToDerry #ITPrequel #Pennywise #BillSkarsgård #RoxyStriar #TaraErickson #AndrewGordon #ReelRejects #HorrorReaction #StephenKing #HBO #SupernaturalHorror #DerryMaine #Episode1Reaction #TVReview #React #ReactTo #Reaction #Binge #Bingeworthy The Black Phone (2021) Movie Reaction: https://youtu.be/pHz_6ysE_BY Carrie (1976) Movie Reaction: https://youtu.be/hK3fTatWPNM Terrifier 2 (2022) Movie Reaction: https://youtu.be/vMYhEMR_5aQ The Running Man (1987) Movie Reaction: https://youtu.be/rPxRQqpEsK8 Halloween (2018) Movie Reaction: https://youtu.be/hwHkWJCRuFc Follow Roxy On YouTube & Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roxystriar/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/roxystriar Follow *Tara Erickson* on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaraErickson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taraerickson/ twitter: https://twitter.com/thetaraerickson Follow Andrew Gordon On Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieSource Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agor711/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/Agor711 0:00 Checking In! 2:18 IT Welcome to Derry Reaction 34:05 HELLO FRESH 35:39 IT Welcome to Derry Review Intense Suspense by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ RR Clips & Shorts Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ReelRejectsClips Follow TheReelRejects On The Socials: IG: https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/ TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thereelrejects?lang=en TWITTER: https://twitter.com/thereelrejects FB: https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ Music Used In Ad: Hat the Jazz by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Happy Alley by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Head Editor: https://www.instagram.com/praperhq/?hl=en Supervising Producer: https://twitter.com/nerdchronic?lang=en Co-Editor: Greg Alba Co-Editor: John Humphrey Music In Video: Airport Lounge - Disco Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Follow & Listen to Us Wherever You Get Your Podcasts!! - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3XHMwbveiznxSOGxN9XT0M - Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vc3Rhci13YXJzLXRhbGs - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-reel-rejects-tv-movie-recaps/id1616339990 - Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Apocalypse-Podcast/B08JJP58FG Follow GREG On INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thegregalba/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/thegregalba PLAYLISTS: Movie Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-bIhJVeYWw-comtadVs8b9JsZEWHUyr8 Sketches & Short Films: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-bIhJVeYWw_zWuTRfBOUP3aYyIYRzc2y

Top Comments (10)

@alejandroangel998 2025-10-27

Definitely didn’t expect the first episode to end the way it did.

1.4k 30 replies
@morganrichardson8859 2025-10-27

IT wasn't defeated until 2016, that means he was killing kids left and right in the previous 27-year cycles. The body count in this show is going to be insane.

982 26 replies
@brianasj 2025-10-27

I thought those kids were the stars of the show so that ending took me so off guard. That opening scene was crazy and it made me instantly feel bad for Matty. I enjoyed this and the trailer for the weeks ahead had me gripped.

903 13 replies
@artofporcelainpixie 2025-10-27

A turtle in the IT series is a meaning for protection. So when Matty gave her the turtle bracelet it kept her safe from the baby. Meaning, if Matty never gave it to her, he may have escaped Derry that night.

824 16 replies
@theylied1776 2025-10-27

If you didn't catch the easter egg. In Stephen King's shared Universe, the Turtle (Maturin), who is a God, is the archenemy of Pennywise.

254 11 replies
@Baste1620 2025-10-27

The power of friendship is not gonna help us here to win.

239 1 replies
@Nominenobody 2025-10-28

The little girl Suzie and the boy who played Phil are actually brother and sister in real life. I love when shows/movies do that.

110 5 replies
@ReelRejects 2025-10-25

IT: Welcome to Derry Episode 2 Reaction: https://youtu.be/h8gETWj3bTM Float on over to that *LIKE & SUBSCRIBE* Button 👉 https://www.youtube.com/user/TheReelRejects?sub_confirmation=1 - Go to https://www.HelloFresh.com/REJECTS10FM now to Get 10 Free Meals + a Free Item per box for Life with active subscription! - Full Reaction *Watch Along & MORE* For *Royal* Rejects: https://www.patreon.com/thereelrejects - Grab The New *TARAfier Tee & Halloween Sweater:* https://www.rejectnationshop.com/

77 5 replies
@ilyanotrozanov 2025-10-27

I think we have our new scream queen, cuz Lilly's scream at the end 🥶. The director really found great young actors for this show

42
@darnellleake405 2025-10-29

I hope Pennywise is used sparingly. People tend to forget that It is a shapeshifter and he is just one form

21

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