Welcome to Derry Episode 1 opens the gates to one of television’s most chilling horror series of recent times. Set in 1962, decades before the events of Stephen King’s It, the show takes us back to where it all began — the cursed town of Derry, Maine. The very first episode doesn’t waste a single moment in reminding the audience that Derry is no ordinary town. Beneath its charming streets and smiling faces, something ancient and malevolent is waiting to return.
A Terrifying Opening: When Innocence Meets Horror
The story begins with a young boy named Matty Clements, a curious soul who sneaks into a movie theater showing The Music Man. What begins as a simple act of rebellion quickly turns into a nightmare. After being thrown out, Matty hitchhikes with a seemingly kind family — but soon realizes that nothing in Derry is as it appears. The family’s cheerful demeanor turns grotesque, leading to a shocking sequence that sets the tone for the entire series.
From this point forward, the episode establishes its identity: psychological horror laced with emotional trauma and mystery. Every sound, every frame, and every face carries unease. The draining of Matty’s pacifier into the gutter becomes an unforgettable symbol of innocence lost — a quiet reminder that Derry consumes everyone who enters it.
New Faces, Old Evil: The Characters of Derry
Major Leroy Hanlon
One of the main threads in Welcome to Derry Episode 1 introduces Major Leroy Hanlon, a Black military officer newly assigned to the local Air Force base. His arrival brings a sense of realism and historical weight to the story. The 1960s setting reflects racial tension and social unrest, mirroring the unseen darkness crawling beneath Derry’s surface.
Hanlon soon encounters strange occurrences — voices in static radios, unexplained shadows, and an atmosphere of paranoia heightened by Cold War fears. His presence connects the human struggles of the era with the supernatural horrors brewing underground.
Lilly Bainbridge and the Children
Parallel to the adult storyline, the show follows Lilly Bainbridge, a perceptive young girl who begins to sense that something is terribly wrong in Derry. Along with her friends, she starts to uncover mysterious disappearances, whispering drains, and ghostly visions.
One of the episode’s most haunting moments arrives when Lilly sees Matty’s reflection singing in her bathtub — his voice echoing from the drain. The image is horrifying yet poetic, hinting that the evil in Derry feeds on fear and memory.
Themes Hidden Beneath the Horror
The Mask of a Perfect Town
The biggest strength of Welcome to Derry Episode 1 is how it presents horror not through sudden jump scares but through the illusion of safety. The town looks perfect — colorful parades, friendly neighbors, old-fashioned theaters — but everything feels just a bit too clean, too perfect. The episode suggests that true evil doesn’t always announce itself; it hides behind normalcy.
Fear as a Legacy
Fear in Derry isn’t just an emotion; it’s a legacy passed from generation to generation. Every family, every corner, and every smile carries an unspoken dread. The first episode makes it clear that what the people of Derry refuse to confront becomes the fuel that empowers the darkness below.
Real-World Horror Meets the Supernatural
By setting the story during the Cold War era, the show blends social commentary with supernatural terror. The prejudice, secrecy, and distrust of the 1960s merge seamlessly with the cosmic evil haunting the town. It’s a smart move — showing that the real monsters aren’t always the ones lurking in the sewers.
Unforgettable Scenes from Welcome to Derry Episode 1
- The opening car ride sequence that transforms from kindness to chaos.
- The horrifying childbirth scene that turns into a nightmare of blood and screams.
- Lilly’s bathtub vision — one of the most disturbing moments in modern television horror.
- The nighttime infiltration of the military base, blending human conflict with supernatural tension.
- The final moments where ordinary people realize that something ancient has awakened again beneath Derry.
Each scene is shot with cinematic precision, filled with tension, dread, and emotion that lingers long after the episode ends.
Why Welcome to Derry Episode 1 Sets a New Benchmark for Horror
The first episode doesn’t rely solely on Pennywise the Dancing Clown to scare the audience. Instead, it builds an atmosphere of creeping dread, focusing on the town itself as a living, breathing monster. Derry becomes a character — cruel, secretive, and timeless.
The storytelling style is slow-burn yet rewarding. It introduces multiple storylines — the children’s perspective, the military subplot, and the unseen supernatural thread — all building toward a larger mythos. By the end, viewers understand that this is not a remake of It but a deep dive into its origin, exploring how the town’s evil took root long before Pennywise’s reign of terror.
Also read: Welcome to Derry Release Date: Everything You Need to Know
A Few Weak Spots
While the episode is visually striking and narratively dense, some viewers might find the number of characters slightly overwhelming at first. The story juggles multiple threads, which can make the pacing feel uneven. However, this complexity also promises a layered story that will unfold across the series.
Final Verdict: A Must-Watch for Horror Fans
Welcome to Derry Episode 1 is not just a horror premiere — it’s a statement. It captures the essence of fear, history, and tragedy in a single hour. For fans of the It universe, it’s a fascinating prequel that adds depth and emotion to the lore. For new viewers, it’s an invitation into one of the most atmospheric and psychologically rich horror worlds ever created.
With strong performances, meticulous direction, and storytelling that respects both its source material and its audience, this first episode promises that the horrors of Derry are far from over — they’re only just beginning.
