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Stephen King’s IT – An Encounter With Fear – iHorror

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We’re all looking forward to the hyper-anticipated second chapter to 2017’s IT, which upon its release won fans over and became an instant classic. In just under a month we will bear witness to the darkest elements of Stephen King’s classic opus on fear, and no one is more excited to return to Derry, Maine than I am.

Something a little more than horror

As genre fans, we all know a thing or two about horror. We have our favorites and nit-pick details of the silliest of nuisances found in scary movies. Many consider themselves experts on horror. However, how much do we really know about actual fear? The two share similarities, but are vastly different.

Lovecraft taught us that fear is the oldest emotion known to mankind. It’s a primordial instinct which echoes in the very hollow of our bones, chilling them, icing the nerves, and freezing us in place, like a gorgon’s sudden gaze. Fear does not discriminate between sexes or genders and has no ethnic boundary. It sees under our skins, knowing we each are all the same blood-red color underneath. Fear unites us all, and that’s what we can expect from IT: Chapter II.

IT and the Losers’ Club

It’s fitting that the story spans two polar ends of our lead heroes’ lives. One chronicling the tale of childhood and the innocence inherent therein – a fragile, glassy innocence prematurely shattered by horrors outside time and space.

image via inverse, courtesy of Warner Bros.

The other aspect offers us a glimpse into the Losers’ Club well into the prime of their adulthood. Most of them are successful, enjoy plenty of luxuries in life, and have, by most standards, made it to the top.

This veil of success is just as transparent as the glassy innocence that once concealed their childhoods a generation previously. You don’t have to examine them long before you see the apparent dread etching across their transparencies like splintering cracks splitting across crystal prisms. All the security the Losers have hidden themselves behind – barriers that barred the ugliness of past traumas well beyond the sight of their mind’s naked eye – are broken to pieces and they each must stand vulnerable before the thing they all fear(ed). It taught them what fear is. And now the Losers come to the grim realization that fear cannot be outrun and is dangerously patient.

image via Empire courtesy of Warner Bros.

That’s the (quickening) essence of fear and it takes so many different forms. Those little silent lies told to get ahead, for example. Or the skeletons silently stuffed behind locked doors, skeletons that were left behind years and years ago, thought to be gone forever, but in the still of night, when it’s the darkest and you are at your most vulnerable, you hear the dry tap, tap, tapping of ghoulish fingers rapping from behind the closet door.

The abuse endured or caused. The accident that left a scar so deep that it never fully healed. Or something as simple as an unexpected bill. Fear has many forms.

It keeps us up at night, eating away at our minds. Can I forget the past and just move on? What if the monster under my bed really is there?

A new job, a new car, a new marriage, a new kid. Everything is new and that makes it pristine, something virginal; something untouched by the trauma of the past. That’s all ancient history, but it, IT, never forgets. It never forgives. And It remains hungry!

image via IMDB courtesy of Warner Bros

A vast majority of society swallow pills to cope with anxiety. Some lose themselves to drink or drugs. Some burry themselves in their work or their hobbies. Others run to church hoping the sanctity of God’s holy temple will be enough to slam the doors shut in the drooling face of mounting fears. And for a while these things – these distractions – work. They don’t last though. Once you leave work or look up from your projects, your vacation, or the face of your loved ones It is still there just as patient as ever and ready to greet every one of us with a nice big smile.

“Hello,” It says with a playful wave. “Remember me? I remember you. Oh yes, I do. How could I forget?”

Stephen King has personified fear (insanely) perfectly in his nightmarish creation of Pennywise, or It. Naming the story ‘It’ makes it sound so ambiguous. It, or ‘It’ could be anything at all. The darkness after you turn off the light. The scratching sound under your bed. The stranger standing on your porch at 4 am. It is in fact whatever it is you and I fear. It is the substance of things we dare not admit to anyone, something only we know and guard jealously in our hearts.

It knows what we fear, oh yes, It knows all-too-well, and that’s what It feeds on. We don’t feed It our fears, It feeds into what we dread so It can feed on us.

It eats away our days one fretted hour at a time. It feeds off of us like a vampiric parasite leaching away the best years of our lives and locking us in a self-imposed cell. A cell constructed by anxiety, dread, paranoia, isolationism, antisocialism, and, well you get the picture. Many of us suffer from such imprisonment and we’re locked up in ourselves. And it feels as if no matter how far we go and no matter how fast we run we never can escape that hideous power that throws away the key of our liberty – fear.

I understand, probably better than you realize, oh boy do I get it. Or It gets me.

The Losers

Ancient myths gave people a story of Beowulf who faced the monsters of chaos, destruction, and terror of the day. People found immense comfort in such tales of unfaltering bravery, showing how one single person can rise up to confront a catastrophe everyone else is made to flee from.

That’s the power of a very good story.

That’s why we need the Losers’ Club.

Stephen King understands the power of fear, of It, and presents to us an unlikely band of heroes who begrudgingly return to their Past to face the cackling image of all their traumas. ‘Heroes’ is used very loosely here too. We don’t have armed warriors, or people gifted with magical powers. We are given real-to life men and women who are asked to deal with the terror of their childhoods.

image via Newshub courtesy of Warner Bros.

In a scary story about a killer clown, Stephen King gives us a group we can admire. A band to stand with. They’re far from perfect, and that makes them relatable. None of them want to do what is called of them. They’re older but the old trauma has never really gone away. All they really have is each other, and that strength in numbers is enough to face It.

In the same manner, we have our community centered on horror. We may not have the best of friends or an accepting family, but in no way does that mean we’re left alone. At the very least you have your old pal Manic here every time you open an article to read my ramblings.

We have one another, and that keeps the community strong.

So here’s to the Losers, to all the freaks, geeks, and horror creeps out there who weren’t the coolest in school, or the most popular growing up. To the Drive-In Mutants and the weirdos sitting on the fringes of society reading past-issues of Gorezone magazine, trading monster cards with other collectors, and adding more NECA horror guys to the shelf we are our own little club. You’re my Nasties, Manic loves ya and I hope to see you all sitting in a dark theater along-side your fellow Losers and watching the conclusion of It!

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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