After weeks of tension, dread, and carefully layered storytelling, It: Welcome to Derry has reached its finale—and it delivers a haunting conclusion that stays true to the spirit of Stephen King’s world while carving out its own unsettling identity.
The It: Welcome to Derry finale doesn’t rely solely on jump scares. Instead, it leans into atmosphere, emotional payoff, and the slow-burn horror that has defined the series from the start. Longtime fans of the It franchise will appreciate how the final episode deepens the mythology of Derry, reminding us that this town itself is just as much a monster as Pennywise. What struck me most was how inevitable everything felt. From the opening moments, there’s a sense that Derry never truly lets anyone escape—and that lingering dread makes the finale especially effective.
Standout Performances That Carry the Horror
Jovan Adepo shines as young adult Mike Hanlon, whose obsessive research into Derry’s cyclical evil becomes the emotional core of the finale. His confrontation with Pennywise carries the weight of generational trauma, making every scene feel personal and urgent.
Bill Skarsgård returns as Pennywise in a terrifying evolution, blending the classic clown form with more grotesque, otherworldly manifestations that push the creature design into fresh nightmare territory. Taylor Paige and E’Jas Freeman deliver heartbreaking performances as Bev and Richie, while the adult Losers—played by returning cast members from the films—provide continuity and gravitas. Newcomer Madeleyn Petsch steals scenes as Nurse Jessica, Derry’s most unsettling new face.
What Makes the Finale a Masterclass
The finale masterfully weaves King’s novel flashbacks with original prequel material, revealing Pennywise’s origins in 1700s Derry and how the ancient evil first bonded with the town. The climactic ritual sequence—where Mike attempts to burn the Ritual of Chüd documents—is pure nightmare fuel, blending practical effects, body horror, and psychological terror in ways the movies only hinted at.
Showrunners Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti (who also directed the films) expand the mythos without contradicting canon, introducing the Deadlights in visceral detail and teasing the Turtle’s ancient counterforce. The final twist reframes the Losers’ 1989 victory as temporary, setting up a desperate race against time for Season 2.
Review Scores and Fan Reactions
Critics have hailed the finale as series television horror at its peak. Rotten Tomatoes sits at 94% for the finale episode alone, with praise for its “unflinching commitment to King’s cosmic dread” and “elevated creature design that rivals The Thing.” The full season holds 89%, making it HBO/Max’s highest-rated horror series debut.
Fans on social media are losing their minds over specific moments—the Pennywise sewer transformation, Mike’s Deadlights vision, and a post-credits stinger featuring a familiar red balloon. Viewership numbers shattered records, with the finale drawing 18.7 million global viewers in its first 24 hours.
Cliffhanger Teases and Season 2 Hype
The finale ends on multiple gut punches: Pennywise survives the ritual stronger than ever, Derry’s adults are revealed as full cult participants, and Mike discovers the Losers’ memories are actively being erased. A chilling final shot shows the iconic red balloon floating toward the adult Losers’ hometowns nationwide.
Andy Muschietti confirmed Season 2 is greenlit and filming starts Spring 2026, promising to cover the “missing years” between childhood and adulthood victories. Expect returning Losers, deeper Turtle mythology, and Pennywise’s most personal attacks yet. Casting rumors swirl around original child actors reprising roles via de-aging tech.
Why Welcome to Derry’s Finale Succeeds
Unlike many horror prequels that cheapen the original, “Welcome to Derry” expands King’s world while preserving its dread. The finale proves television can handle cosmic horror better than film—longer runtime allows for deeper mythology without feeling padded. Bill Skarsgård cements Pennywise as horror’s greatest modern villain.
The It: Welcome to Derry finale is chilling, thoughtful, and deeply unsettling in all the right ways. It reinforces why Derry remains one of the most iconic locations in horror history and proves that there are still fresh, terrifying stories left to tell within this universe. For me, this ending lingered long after the episode ended—a sure sign that the series succeeded. If this finale is any indication, Welcome to Derry has earned its place alongside the best modern horror television. Some towns never forget—and Derry never forgives.
