IT is a staple in literature from the iconic writer in Stephen King and has a few solid adaptations over the years that excel at demonstrating a potent antagonist for us to analyze. The 2017 adaptation is my favorite, and much of that is thanks to the mystique and writing related to its central antagonist, Pennywise. As a result, let’s dive into what makes this character unique and what we can learn as writers.
Still from 'IT' (2017). Photo credit: IMDb
IT (Pennywise)
IT, best known in its favored form as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, is the central antagonist of Andy Muschietti’s It film duology. It is set to return in some capacity in the upcoming 2025 prequel series, It: Welcome to Derry.
Like its counterpart in Stephen King’s novel, It is an ancient, shape-shifting entity that manifests as its victims’ worst fears—particularly those of children—before consuming them.
Having terrorized the Earth for centuries, its reign begins to unravel after the murder of Georgie Denbrough, which sets his older brother, Bill, on a relentless quest for vengeance. Determined to destroy It, Bill bands with his friends to form the Losers' Club, united by their shared goal of ending the creature’s horror reign.
Appearance
Unlike its counterpart in the original novel, the film adaptation of It features significant design changes. In its Pennywise form, It wears a silver suit reminiscent of Italian opera clowns and has bright orange hair. Its face is marked by two distinct red lines that extend from above its eyes, down its cheeks, and to the corners of its mouth.
Instead of a real clown nose, It has a painted red one. Pennywise's eyes are typically orange, though It can alter them to appear more familiar, and they often look in different directions, adding to its unsettling presence. As a shapeshifter, Its appearance constantly changes, taking on the form of each victim's greatest fear throughout the films.
Personality
Rather than attempting to feign friendliness, It rarely masks its malevolent nature. When it does, an unsettling creepiness always seeps through, making it clear that It struggles to imitate human behavior. Unlike the novel, where Pennywise occasionally adopts a deceptive facade, the movie version prefers to isolate and terrify its victims before striking.
Despite Its cowardice, the films emphasize Pennywise’s insidious nature, depicting It as a creature that thrives on fear and suffering. This version presents Pennywise as an arrogant sadist driven by the need to torment others.
When ultimately confronted by the Losers’ Club, It does not lash out with threats or insults. Instead, Pennywise cryptically acknowledges that they have "grown up," a moment that could be interpreted as a grudging respect for Its adversaries or a bitter, mocking remark concealing Its anger at being defeated.
Still from 'IT' (2017). Photo credit: IMDb
Henry Bowers: The Face of Human Evil
While Pennywise represents supernatural terror, Henry Bowers serves as a reminder that human cruelty can be just as horrifying. As the town bully, Henry torments the Losers Club relentlessly, often displaying a level of sadism that suggests deeper psychological issues.
Still from 'IT' (2017). Photo credit: IMDb
Character Analysis and Motivations
Henry is raised by an abusive father, which likely fuels his violent tendencies. His need to dominate and inflict pain on others stems from his feelings of powerlessness at home. Throughout the film, his acts of cruelty escalate—from carving his name into Ben’s stomach to nearly killing Mike Hanlon. Pennywise exploits Henry’s instability, driving him into full-fledged homicidal madness by whispering into his mind and influencing his actions.
Symbolism and Thematic Role
Henry represents the real-world horrors that exist outside of Pennywise’s supernatural influence. His character highlights how fear and abuse can perpetuate cycles of violence, and he serves as a foil to the Losers Club, demonstrating what could happen if trauma is left unchecked. His descent into madness, culminating in his attempted murder of his father, underscores how evil can fester in neglected and abused individuals.
The Adults of Derry
IT awakens every 27 years to feed, with children being its preferred victims due to their more straightforward fears than adults. Yet, no one in Derry seems to notice this recurring pattern, nor are they concerned about the sudden disappearances of the town’s children.
Stephen King and every writer and director involved in the adaptations made it clear from the outset that adults would have little to no role in the story (except for the adult versions of the Losers). This theme is evident right from the opening scene of Georgie’s murder.
In both the novel and the 2017 film, there are witnesses to Georgie’s death. In the book, it’s Dave Gardener who hears Georgie’s scream and discovers his lifeless body. At the same time, in the film, it’s a woman living across from the sewer where Georgie encounters Pennywise. However, neither made any effort to help Georgie–Gardener delayed for 45 seconds after hearing the scream, and the woman, despite seeing a child alone in a storm, made no move to intervene.
The adults' obliviousness to the children’s fate is part of IT’s influence on the town, allowing it to blind the townspeople to what’s happening, thus making it easier for the creature to prey on children. This indifference left the kids vulnerable and, in some cases, terrified of everything, making them easy targets for IT.
Some fans and viewers interpret this behavior as a reflection of how, in real life, some people turn a blind eye to child abuse, choosing not to get involved even when it’s happening right in front of them.
Derry Itself: A Town Built on Fear
The town of Derry itself serves as an omnipresent antagonist, acting as an incubator for Pennywise’s terror. There is an underlying sense that Derry is cursed or corrupted, with its history riddled with unexplained tragedies and mass disappearances.
Photo credit: Fandom
The Influence of Pennywise
Derry’s dark history suggests that Pennywise has been manipulating the town for centuries. Its influence extends beyond direct attacks, subtly shaping the town’s culture of silence and fear. The adults' indifference, the frequency of child disappearances, and the town’s eerie atmosphere all contribute to an environment where Pennywise can operate unchecked.
Thematic Significance
Derry represents the cyclical nature of trauma and violence. Just as Pennywise returns every 27 years to feed, the town’s history repeats in cycles of horror and neglect. The Losers Club breaking this cycle by confronting their fears serves as a metaphor for breaking free from generational trauma and standing up to oppression.