ABOUT THIS EPISODE
The Losers' Club returns to Derry—older, traumatized, and still bound by a childhood nightmare they hoped they'd escaped. This week on Film Jury, we dive deep into IT Chapter II (2019), directed by Andy Muschietti and based on Stephen King's legendary novel.
Stacked with an impressive adult cast including James McAvoy (Bill), Jessica Chastain (Beverly), Bill Hader (Richie), Isaiah Mustafa (Mike), Jay Ryan (Ben), James Ransone (Eddie), and Bill Skarsgård returning as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, the film attempts to blend cosmic horror, emotional closure, and surreal creature spectacle into one massive final chapter.
But did it succeed?
James comes in with a brutal 1/5 gavels, citing pacing issues, tonal imbalance, and an overreliance on CGI. Kristina lands at 3/5 gavels, praising the performances—especially Hader—and some standout emotional moments. Heidi gives it 2/5 gavels, feeling the story couldn't quite support its nearly 3-hour runtime.
We break down: • How the film adapts (and alters) the book's ending • The missed opportunities in character arcs • Whether Pennywise is still scary the second time around • The strengths of the cast vs. the weakness of the structure • The themes of trauma, memory, and returning home • And why this sequel divided audiences and critics alike
Epic, messy, heartfelt, bizarre—IT Chapter II is a lot. And this week, The Jury has opinions. Tune in, listen to the verdict, and see where you stand.
