Stephen King’s IT: First reactions from critics

The first critics’ reactions are in for the long-awaited movie reboot of Stephen King’s IT, and they’re terrifyingly terrific. The film’s embargo has just lifted and reactions have been flooding in on Twitter, with the majority of those being generally very positive.

Fans of the original will be pleased to hear that Bill Skarsgard’s performance as Pennywise the clown is being highly praised. While critics also suggest that the film is as “scary as the trailers” and a “faithful adaptation of King’s novel”. However, not everyone agreed. See the reactions below:

IT is creepy, bloody, super funny, adorably romantic and hands down among my favorite movies of the year pic.twitter.com/tYpaNFHOsu

— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) August 26, 2017

I can say I saw #IT tonight. And IT was great. Cast is excellent. And, yes, ?is scary! This will be a, ahem, monster at the box office.

— Jim Vejvoda (@JimVejvoda) August 26, 2017

LOVED #ItMovie. Captured the spirit of the book & still created something new. Perfect combo of dark & fun. & The Losers Club was PERFECT! ? pic.twitter.com/ipkKlAORyt

— Rachel Heine (@RachelHeine) August 26, 2017

#ItMovie was spooktacular. Great cast, surprisingly funny, and genuinely unnerving scares. You'll still be freaked out when you get home. ? pic.twitter.com/n5EQpbk53N

— Dan Casey (@DanCasey) August 26, 2017

#IT definitely captures frights of the novel whilst adding a new fears. Major set pieces are bone-chilling -even summons a splash of tears

— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) August 26, 2017

IT was terrifying and hilarious and delightful, so we're deciding to see how this thing goes. #ITMovie pic.twitter.com/FI6zuvki3h

— Terri Schwartz (@Terri_Schwartz) August 26, 2017

Sophia Lillis as Bev was the standout of #ITMovie for me. A star turn. No way anyone but Amy Adams plays Bev as an adult.

— Jenelle Riley (@jenelleriley) August 26, 2017

Bill Skarsgard is putting in a performance that is going to turn him into the Freddy Krueger of a new generation. #ITMovie @ITMovieOfficial

— Drew Dietsch (@DrewDietsch) August 26, 2017

Bottom line: go make #ITMovie an enormous success. It's an A+ prestige film that's sure to make its mark in horror history. @ITMovieOfficial

— Drew Dietsch (@DrewDietsch) August 26, 2017

Just saw IT. Really well done. Cast were all great with some twisted visuals. Going to make a ton of money. Ready for the sequel tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/XYTEG39YCX

— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) August 26, 2017

I love the #ITMovie. It's everything I wanted. Scary as shit, Skarsgard nails Pennywise, and the Losers are perfection.

— Haleigh Foutch (@HaleighFoutch) August 26, 2017

I can finally talk about #ITMovie. New adaptation is more fun, frightening and familiar than you think.

— Mara Reinstein (@MaraReinstein) August 26, 2017

#ITMovie is everything I hoped for & more. Has heart, laughs & TONS of incredible scares. Fell in love w/ The Losers. Didn't want it to end.

— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) August 26, 2017

Happy to say #IT is an effectively scary & faithful adaptation of (half) @StephenKing's novel. Walked out very satisfied. @ITMovieOfficial

— Eric Walkuski (@ericwalkuski) August 26, 2017

The cast of #IT is just perfect, not a weak link in the chain. @jaedenlieberher and @FinnSkata are especially memorable.

— Eric Walkuski (@ericwalkuski) August 26, 2017

I don't want to overstate the comedy aspect. It's not a full horror-comedy. But it's REAL goddamn fun in addition to being scary.

— Rebecca Pahle (@RebeccaPahle) August 26, 2017

Seriously, the trailers make it look all scary, AND IT IS….. but IT has jokes, y'all.

— Rebecca Pahle (@RebeccaPahle) August 26, 2017

There is one Eddie Kaspbrak line in particular that keeps popping into my head and making me chuckle.

— Rebecca Pahle (@RebeccaPahle) August 26, 2017

https://twitter.com/cevangelista413/status/901276243810811904

https://twitter.com/cevangelista413/status/901277179765501953

https://twitter.com/cevangelista413/status/901277972518359040

#ITMovie peaks in the first 10 minutes and never reaches that height again. Lots of nostalgia, but not much else. Full REVIEW 9/5 pic.twitter.com/6HhwWSAsRn

— Cinema Snopes (@CinemaSnopes) August 26, 2017

IT is expected to become September’s biggest ever domestic opening. The film opens on September 8th.