Coulrophobia is a curious thing. It is a kind of fear that would seem unreasonable to many because it brings fright from a source that should otherwise bring joy and happiness. Coulrophobia means a fear of those merrymakers which we call clowns. Often, people suffering from coulrophobia say they have it because they can’t tell who is hidden behind the make-up. Would it be better then if these costumed characters had no make-up instead? Would that lessen their fear? In the case of It Chapter Two, that most definitely is not the case.
Set 27 years after the events of It Chapter One in 1989, most of The Losers Club who defeated the demonic Pennywise the Dancing Clown (Bill Skarsgard) have left the city of Derry, Maine. Only Mike Hanlon (Isaiah Mustafa) stayed behind and he’s been chronicling what has happened the previous times in Derry’s history that Pennywise appeared. When a gay couple are the victims of a vicious beating, the infamous red balloons signaling the clown’s arrival are seen and Mike proceeds to ask his fellow Losers to come home.
Mystery novelist Bill Denbrough (James McAvoy) has had books adapted into movies. Previously overweight Ben Hanscom (Jay Ryan) has shed his weight and become a successful architect. Obnoxious and loudmouthed Richie Tozier (Bill Hader) has become a stand-up comic in Los Angeles. Hypochondriac Eddie Kaspbrak (James Ransone) lives with his wife in New York as a risk assessor. Stanley Uris (Andy Bean) has become a partner at a large Atlanta-based accounting firm. The lone girl, Beverly Marsh (Jessica Chastain) has become a fashion designer in Chicago but has gone through several abusive relationships stemming from her own relationship with her father.
Most of the Losers heed Mike’s call save for one, and what begins as a hilarious reunion of old friends quickly deteriorates as their individual fears are once again tapped into by the demonic clown. Mike explains that each Loser needs to overcome their deepest fears and gather totems that matter to each of them for a ritual that can finally end the clown for good. Though Richie and Eddie initially balk at the suggestion, Ben sticks around because of his old crush on Beverly while Bill nervously listens to Mike explain his reasoning.
The Losers come face-to-face with their worst fears from their subconscious and their past as Pennywise continues to gain strength in Derry. Can this group of now-adult misfits really end the threat of this ancient evil that has tormented their town for generations?
Director Andy Muschietti returns to direct the sequel to the first film from 2017 based off acclaimed novelist Stephen King’s hit book. Clearly given a bigger budget this time around, Muschietti uses more special effects to raise the stakes as the fears of the Losers are presented to be even bigger and out of this world than before. Hence, there are visions of creepy-crawlies emerging from food, psychotic old women, rooms filling with pools of blood, and other similar scenarios at the clown’s disposal. The result, though creepy as hell, is that It Chapter Two sometimes feels like Pennywise took steroids to power up.
Most of this adaptation shows manifestations of Pennywise either in his true otherworldly form or larger than the Losers, not as the relatively normal-sized clown of It Chapter One. Save for a scene or two that show Skarsgard at his creepy best, the threatening nature of the dancing clown is almost too big and unbelievable for an audience that clearly loved his performance from 2017.
Don’t get me wrong, killer clowns with razor sharp teeth and spider-like appendages are still gross and terrifying. But personally, something was lost when the Losers learn about “the Ritual of Chud,” and Pennywise not being a real clown. That coulrophobia that King took such glee in writing about is actually lessened because of the big effects.
Overall though, this is a worthy sequel to the 2017 film and a good way to close the story of The Losers Club. The casting of the adult versions of the child actors were on point, particularly Hader as Richie, Chastain ad Beverly, and Ransone as Eddie as they all captured the essence and nuances of what their younger counterparts previously manifested. Muschietti (and King) actually tackle head on some of the complaints about King’s own writing style and end up giving a satisfying ending as the film drew to a close.
Photo and vide courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.
About the Author:
Jason Inocencio was once the Digital Editor of adobo magazine who still loves seeing great campaigns from all over the world. He proudly shows off his love for all kinds of geeky things, whether it be movies, TV shows, comics, sports, or trivia.
