While 1990’s IT two-part television series was a spooky treat for some horror movie fans, for others, it represented an entry point into Stephen King‘s Macroverse and an introduction to the many horrors it contains. Now, Welcome to Derry, an upcoming prequel series set in the 1960s, seeks to explore the origins of the malevolent entity known as Pennywise — and how it became a terrifying creature in the community of Derry.
Admittedly, not much is known about the plot and the narrative of the upcoming series, apart from the setting and the rumored origin story. Considering next year’s release window, fans are left with trailers and knowledge derived from the novels to piece as many details as they can together about the upcoming series. With that said, one fact that has been confirmed about the series is that its timeline has shifted from the 1930s to the 1960s. Now, many casual and die-hard King fans are wondering why the timeline was shifted, and we’re here to discuss the possible reasons.
There are several good reasons why Andy and Barbara Muschietti decided to change the series’ timeline, and the biggest of all seems to be continuity. Namely, Andy Muschietti’s adaptation of IT, released in 2017 and 2019, changed the setting of King’s novels from 1958 and 1985 to 1989 and 2016. This was quite a reasonable move, as it allowed the first IT remake to ride the high wave of hit series like Stranger Things and The Americans and match their nostalgic appeal to the target demographics.
It also put the now-adult members of the Losers Club in a more modern setting in 2019’s sequel, IT: Chapter Two, making them more relatable to modern audiences. While these timeframes are vastly different from the novels, they are spaced out correctly because the entity known as Pennywise usually slumbers and only comes out to feed and terrorize the citizens of Derry every 27 years. By setting the series in the 1960s era, Welcome to Derry naturally ties into the established timeline, providing context for the events leading up to Andy Muschietti’s films.
However, continuity is hardly the only reason why the 1960s are the perfect setting for the series. The 1960s were a time of significant cultural and social turmoil, with the Civil Rights Movement, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War dominating the landscape. The struggles for racial equality and justice, paired with the ideological battle between the US and the Soviet Union, along with a highly controversial war, created significant tension within the US public and consciousness during the 1960s. These tensions could be mirrored in Derry and amplify the collective sense of unease among its residents.
And what happens when you combine fear and paranoia with otherworldly cosmic horror? The answer is a very, very rich and nurturing environment for Pennywise’s terror to take root. Pennywise, the Dancing Clown, is known for tailoring his approach to prey on the fears of his victims. It can detect emotions and memories of individuals and exploit them to lure its victims with a false sense of security before malforming itself into their worst fear — as fear supposedly “salts the meat” and makes its victims taste better.
Fear and anxiety are quite common during tumultuous times such as the 1960s, which would “season” Pennywise’s food even further. However, the 1960s are also often remembered with a sense of nostalgia by modern audiences, often making it seem like a more serene time. This idealized view highlights all the good stuff, like the cultural revolution and economic prosperity, contrasting the cosmic horror lurking underneath Derry, further enhancing the unsettling atmosphere of the series.
Now, from what we know about the series, it’s inspired by Mike Hanlon’s interludes woven throughout IT novels, presented as entries in Mike’s journal. One of those entries regards the story of the Black Spot, as told by Will Hanlon, Mike’s father. The Black Spot was a club aimed at Black patrons, which a radicalized white supremacist group burned down. Many of the patrons perished in the fire and ensuing calamity. Will Hanlon also mentions seeing a giant bird suspended by colorful balloons as it snatches a victim amidst the chaos of the fire.
Beyond mere continuity, the narrative pieces fit together to create a vivid and compelling backdrop: a time marked by war-induced fear, societal upheaval, and deep-rooted racial injustice — all fertile ground for Pennywise’s terror to thrive. The tragedy of the Black Spot, aligning with IT‘s 27-year cycle, underscores how the monster exploits humanity’s darkest moments.
By setting the stage in the 1960s, Welcome to Derry can delve into the intersection of personal and collective fears, unraveling not only the origins of Pennywise but also the sinister ways it shapes and is shaped by its environment. In doing so, the series has the opportunity to transform fear into a living, evolving force: one that feeds on the past but never truly lets go of its hold on the present.