Parents' Guide to

It

By Jeffrey M. Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Terrifying evil clown movie based on Stephen King classic.

Movie R 2017 135 minutes
It Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 13+

Based on 289 parent reviews

ReviewMom N.
ReviewMom N. Adult
March 12, 2024
age 12+

Get Ready to Scream: Why 'This' is the Perfect First Horror Movie

It is a horror movie based on Stephen King's novel and is rated R for strong violence, language, and disturbing imagery. Due to the graphic and intense nature of the movie, it may not be suitable for children under 12 or 13. While some children may be able to handle the content of the movie, it is ultimately up to the parents or guardians to decide whether their child can handle the content. It is always advisable to research the movie's content and ratings before allowing children to watch it. I think this is a great first HORROR movie for all kids and adults. If you're a parent and your child is a fan of horror movies, then "This" may be a great choice for them. While the film does contain some bloody and violent images, particularly in regard to the killer clown, it also delivers a powerful message of friendship, courage, and overcoming fears. The film follows a group of kids known as the "Outkast", who band together to fight the terrifying clown and save their town from his evil grip. Through their teamwork and determination, the kids demonstrate the importance of standing up for what's right, facing their fears, and supporting one another in times of need. Despite its horror elements, "This" ultimately delivers a positive and uplifting message that's suitable for viewers 12 and up! It's a film that shows that even in the darkest of times, there's always hope, and that by working together and supporting one another, we can overcome even the most daunting of challenges. So, if you're looking for a horror movie that delivers more than just scares, "This" is definitely worth checking out.
MovieMogul97
MovieMogul97 Adult
December 8, 2021
age 18+

A Good Start Before Going with Overuse of Jump scares and Poor Direction

It Based on the novel from stephen king whose novel have terrifed readers for decades comes a version that has more whys then answers the film has a good start starting with the way the novel opens up but misses the mark with adding humor in places it doesnt belong or wanted but then slowly pacing through out the film it has one Jumpscare After another each ending Almost the same way each time and the look of pennywise shows danger where george is afraid of him and still tries to take his boat anywhay be fore Biting his arm off and dragging him into the sewers' the film has its own use of 1980s direction that was only for the 80s and its tone is rather inconsistent and the characters changed from what they were in the book and only covering the first half of the novel focusing on the children and rather focus on building fear and suspense together it lacks both rather then using suspense and tension to build fear it just uses one jump scare after another becoming a bore as the film goes on by the end you would wanted a better and expected a better movie then this film has has offered been and its ending was a letdown
See all 289 parent reviews

What's the Story?

IT begins in 1988 in the town of Derry, Maine, where little Georgie (Jackson Robert Scott) goes outside in the rain to sail the toy boat that his older brother, Bill (Jaeden Lieberher), made for him. The boat goes down the drain. Looking into the sewer, Georgie encounters a scary clown called Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) and disappears. The following summer, as school lets out, Bill and the other town outcasts -- including Beverly Marsh (Sophia Lillis) and loudmouth Richie Tozier (Finn Wolfhard) -- are beset by teenagers. They start to experience terrifying events of their own and notice that other kids in town are disappearing. Thanks to their new friend, Ben (Jeremy Ray Taylor), the teens discover that the waves of evil things seem to happen in cycles of 27 years and that all of it leads back to a well in the basement of a creepy old house. Bill vows to stop whatever it is that killed his brother.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (289 ):
Kids say (952 ):

Based on Stephen King's 1986 novel, this terrifying clown movie builds its fright from fear itself. In that respect, It is more aligned with The Goonies, Stand by Me, and Stranger Things than it is with slasher movies or jump scares. Director Andy Muschietti, whose disappointing horror movie Mama never would have indicated anything as good as It, keeps things simple by focusing on the bond between the outcast kids -- there are plenty of scenes that could have been taken right out of any summertime coming-of-age movie -- and by using a slick combination of practical and digital effects.

The result feels like it could have come right out of the 1980s. Few of the familiar, overused clichés of more recent horror movies are here, and, with its effective use of music, editing, set design, choice of angles, and overall rhythms, It generates honest-to-goodness tingles, rather than quick shocks. And Pennywise (a chilling Skarsgård) is an iconic character, based not on a simple fear of death but on something more primal and unexplainable, the thing nightmares are made from.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about It's violence. What's the difference between the violence committed by abusive parents and classmates and the movie's supernatural forces? What's the impact of media violence on kids?

  • Clowns are often seen at the circus or children's parties. Why is the clown here so scary?

  • How are the teens who bully their peers depicted in the movie? What are some ways to deal with harassment? How would you deal with them?

  • How does this movie compare to the book? To the miniseries?

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