The first reactions on social media are in – and they’re overwhelmingly positive.
Viewers have heaped praise on the movie ahead of the official review embargo being lifted in the near future.
One said: “I love the #ITMovie. It’s everything I wanted. Scary as s**t, Skarsgard nails Pennywise, and the Losers are perfection.”
Another tweet read: “#IT definitely captures frights of the novel whilst adding a new fears. Major set pieces are bone-chilling -even summons a splash of tears.”
“#ItMovie was spooktacular. Great cast, surprisingly funny, and genuinely unnerving scares. You’ll still be freaked out when you get home,” read a third post.
Someone else wrote: “Thrilled I can now say that IT is spectacular. Totally terrifying, but also amazing fun (the Losers are PERFECT). Top 10 candidate for me.”
Another impressed audience member beamed: “LOVED #ItMovie. Captured the spirit of the book & still created something new. Perfect combo of dark & fun. & The Losers Club was PERFECT!”
Yesterday, director Andy Muschietti opened up on the gruesome opening scene, which sees a six-year-old boy being killed.
“Well, the Georgie death is pretty gruesome,” he told Collider.
Asked how he approached it, he added: “In this story, there is no confirmation that Georgie is dead.
“He’s attacked by Pennywise, and he’s missing an arm, and he tries to get away from the sewer, like he’s dragged into it again, leaving a trail of blood, but his body is never found.
“And that’s what prompts Bill, that’s basically Bill’s motivation in the story, is finding Georgie alive.”
It is out on September 8.