The movie you are referring to is called “It,” based on Stephen King’s famous novel. It tells the story of a group of kids who come together to fight a supernatural, shape-shifting entity that often appears as a clown named Pennywise. This creature preys on the children of the small town of Derry, Maine, by exploiting their deepest fears and terrorizing them. The kids, who call themselves the “Losers Club,” band together to confront and try to defeat this evil being before it kills them all.
The story is set primarily in the summer of 1989 in the 2017 film adaptation, where the group of bullied children face Pennywise, who can take on many terrifying forms but most famously appears as a clown. Pennywise uses fear as a weapon, making the children see their worst nightmares come to life. The kids must overcome their own fears and unite in courage to stand a chance against this malevolent force. The film explores themes of friendship, trauma, and bravery, making it not only a horror story but also a coming-of-age tale about the power of unity and facing one’s fears[1][2].
Pennywise is not just a clown but a supernatural entity that has existed for centuries, resurfacing roughly every 27 years to feed on the fear of children. The creature’s ability to shapeshift allows it to appear as whatever scares its victims the most, but the clown form is its most iconic and terrifying disguise. The entity’s goal is to terrify children because their fear “seasons” them, making them more delicious to consume. This adds a disturbing layer to the horror, as Pennywise’s attacks are not random but calculated to maximize terror[2][4].
The Losers Club’s battle against Pennywise involves both physical and psychological confrontations. They use their friendship and shared courage to diminish Pennywise’s power. In the climax, they confront the creature directly, psychologically weakening it by insulting it and facing their fears head-on. This allows them to reach inside the monster and destroy its heart, temporarily ending its reign of terror. However, the story also reveals that Pennywise is a recurring evil that returns decades later, requiring the group to face it again as adults[2][5].
The 2017 film “It” was praised for its mix of horror and humor, with the characters’ camaraderie providing emotional depth beyond the scares. The portrayal of Pennywise by Bill Skarsgård was noted for being both creepy and unsettling, bringing a fresh and terrifying take on the character compared to earlier adaptations. The movie captures the nostalgic feel of the late 1980s while delivering intense and bizarre horror scenes that keep viewers engaged[1].
In addition to the 2017 movie, there is a sequel called “It Chapter Two,” which follows the now-grown Losers Club as they return to Derry to face Pennywise once more. There is also an HBO series titled “It: Welcome to Derry,” which expands on the story and explores the history of the town and the entity in greater detail[3][5].
Overall, the story of a group of kids fighting a supernatural clown is centered on “It,” a tale of horror, friendship, and courage set in a small town haunted by an ancient evil that takes the form of Pennywise the Dancing Clown.
