“It: Chapter 2” delivered a killer conclusion to the story of the Losers’ Club, seizing the spot for best Stephen King film adaptation. Director Andy Muschietti returned to tell the twisted tale of Pennywise and his merciless attack on the citizens of Derry, Maine. The much-anticipated sequel to “It” (2017) saw an improvement across the board in terms of mixing horror and humor to complete the story in this thoroughly satisfying sequel. In King’s own words, “This is not a sequel, but the second half of the story.”

The actors of this film, who picked up the stories of the main cast from “It,” are largely to be thanked for the film’s great reception. Jessica Chastain as Beverly Marsh stood out among the predominantly-male cast and completed her character’s arc, set up by Sophia Lillis in the first film, properly. Bill Hader as Richie Tozier in the sequel was another standout performance, delivering both the best comedic and emotional elements throughout the film. 

James McAvoy, Isaiah Mustafa and James Ransone as Bill Denbrough, Mike Hanlon and Eddie Kaspbrak respectively were fantastic during their shared screen time as well, with the chemistry between the younger cast of the original film transferring perfectly to their adult counterparts. It felt like watching old friends finally meeting each other again after spending decades apart. 

Not to be outdone by the heroes of the tale, Bill Skarsgård’s performance as Pennywise was the driving force of the plot, truly bringing some of the most frightening scenes in the movie. A lame antagonist can tear down any half-decent horror movie, but Skarsgård successfully delivered on just how terrifying a demonic clown can be. 

The former stars of “It” (2017) also return in the sequel through a series of flashbacks that fill in the chunks of time that lapsed between the two films. Interestingly enough, when asked in an interview with MTV News who they would like to play their older selves, only two cast members got their ideal choice in the final product: Both Finn Wolfhard and Sophia Lillis chose Hader and Chastain to play Eddie and Beverly respectively. 

What the original “It” did for the 80s nostalgia boom that hit right around the time of its release is exactly what “It: Chapter 2” has done for long-standing fans of the horror genre. The issues that many horror movies face with popular antagonists is creating characters that audiences don’t want to see losing the final battle. “It: Chapter 2” kept the right level of homage and respect for the original source material without sacrificing its own retelling of the story. There are tons of homages and nods made to horror icons throughout the film, making it a treat for followers of King and other horror movie legends. 

King’s “The Shining” and “Stand by Me” are both referenced in “It: Chapter 2,” alongside a direct reference to John Carpenter’s “The Thing,” in which the same line is spoken by a main character late into the climax. The inclusion of these motifs show a certain level of love and respect for the material that came before it, and it is a prominent factor as to why “It: Chapter 2” has been received so well. 

Another technical marvel in “It: Chapter 2,” alongside the amazing effects done for Pennywise and his nightmare sequences, was a process known as digital de-aging. Digital de-aging was used on the younger cast for continuity’s sake, as the actors grew so much in between the two years of filmmaking. The process has been most popularized by Marvel’s “Avengers” movies, where characters needed to appear older or younger depending on the time period of the particular scene. 

“It: Chapter 2” marks the first time where this technology has ever been used for a horror film, and it is a great feat for the special effects team of the movie. Director Muschietti  blended transitions between the two time frames perfectly. Furthermore, it worked so well because of the similar character traits that the 2019 actors used in comparison to their younger counterparts, supplemented by the seamlessness of the de-aging technology. 

The overexpanded lore and world-building King is famous for is touched on in this movie, but not so overtly that it risks excluding newcomers to the franchise. Rather, it feels as though the “It” franchise was made for both die-hard fans and casual moviegoers alike. I would recommend watching both movies for a more satisfying and interesting story, but if you’re simply seeking a film that will scare the life out of you, this is the one for you. Acting, directing, cinematography and pacing are what made the original “It” stand out, and all of those elements are improved upon in this sequel.