<Review by: Sailesh Ghelani>

Directed by Andy Muschietti. Starring James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, Andy Bean, Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Martell, Wyatt Oleff, Sophia Lillies, Finn Wolfhard, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Chosen Jacobs, Jack Dylan Grazer, Joan Gregson

Running time: 2 hours 50 minutes

I get excited to watch very few films nowadays but I have to say that IT: Chapter 2 was one of them. I watched the first IT movie on Netflix the week before to refresh my memory – and yes, you need to do that – before going to watch the sequel. 

The Losers gang is all grown up now but that doesn’t stop the film from flashing back to all new footage of the kids and their time in Derry. Definitely a plus since the kids have a chemistry that the adults don’t quite generate despite some really good performances.

Director Andy Muschietti has a certain style that he directs with, which makes his films look different from the regular ‘scary’ movies. It certainly makes them more engaging and surprising. He’s also changed Stephen King’s story from the book a bit to make it more ‘cinema-friendly’.

Twenty-seven years after they thought they killed Pennywise, new deaths plague the town of Derry and Mike (Isaiah Mustafa), the only one from the gang to stay, calls them all back to complete their mission and fulfil the blood oath they had taken. But they’re not so sure they want to.

The reason you go to watch IT, Pennywise, of course, is after his, or rather ‘its’ revenge on the gang who wouldn’t let it float. An assortment of other monsters proceeds to scare the shit out of our losers who are a bit more adept now at tackling their demons. But can they defeat this alien beast and stay alive till the end? Some don’t.

Spine chilling, visually spectacular, moving, funny, haunting (the background score is perfect), mysterious and full of dark delights, IT: Chapter 2 is more than just a ‘scary’ movie. It’s a comment on society, friendships, love, inclusivity, mental health, abusive relationships and facing your demons.

It’s a long film at nearly 3 hours but that’s necessary to give each character the time they deserve and to fit in the experiences of the Losers gang as kids. It makes the story richer and more immersive.