It Review: 9 Ups & 1 Down

7. Bill Skarsgård Is A Phenomenal Pennywise

There was a lot of pre-release worry about whether or not Bill Skarsgård would be able to emerge from the long shadow cast by Tim Curry's legendary performance as Pennywise in the original 1990 TV movie, but thankfully he gives a deliciously terrifying turn that doesn't emulate Curry's work, but rather does something entirely different.

From Skarsgård's deeply offputting vocal tenor to his unsettling, off-kilter eyes and the physical intensity of his body movements, Skarsgård creates arguably the most pervasively disturbing antagonist of any recent major studio horror movie.

Considering how many people initially thumbed their nose up at Pennywise's old-school costume and general design that veered away from the original Curry look, it's a relief that just about every choice Skarsgård and the production team made has paid off handsomely.