Why the Theater Bloodbath Changed Horror TV Forever
The first episode of IT: Welcome to Derry arrived on HBO Max on October 26, 2025. Many viewers expected a slow build up to Pennywise. Instead, the last 10 minutes of the episode turned a normal 1960s movie theater into one of the most violent scenes ever shown in a Stephen King story. The ending shocked everyone and set a bold tone for the rest of the show.
IT: Welcome to Derry Episode 1 Ending Key Takeaways
- This version of Derry shows the monster winning
- The story is set in Derry, Maine in 1962
- A group of kids searches for their missing friend Matty Clements
- The theater scene ends with three brutal deaths
- The show confirms no character is safe
- The demon baby represents 1960s fears and trauma
A New Group of Kids and a Deadly Search Begins
The episode starts with snowfall over a quiet town that hides too many secrets. Matty Clements sneaks into a screening of The Music Man inside the Capitol Theater. He gets caught and forced to leave. He tries to hitchhike home. A strange family gives him a ride. Inside the back seat, a woman gives birth to a bloody winged demon baby. Matty screams. Then he disappears.
His classmates feel bad since they ignored his bullying. They decide to look for him. The new group includes:
- Lilly Bainbridge grieving her father’s violent death
- Teddy a funny boy targeted for being Jewish
- Phil a brave kid who always protects his sister
- Susie Phil’s younger sister with a bold nature
- Ronnie the theater projectionist who saw Matty last
They do not call themselves any group. Still they look like the early version of a team that supports each other. They keep searching even when the fear grows around them.
The Clue That Opens a Trap
Lilly hears Matty’s voice inside her house. It sounds like he sings “Ya Got Trouble” from The Music Man inside the shower pipes. Ronnie remembers that Matty vanished after he watched that movie. She tells the group there may be a clue inside the theater.
So they go inside the empty building after dark. They play the film again. The projector turns. The music keeps playing. Everything feels normal. Then the screen shakes. Something wrong is coming.
The Blood Filled Ending of Episode 1
Matty appears inside the movie. The smile on his face looks too wide. His teeth show a hint of Pennywise. He holds the demon baby. Now the creature looks large and powerful. The screen tears and the monster enters the real world.
These moments deliver pure horror:
- Teddy is grabbed and torn apart. His upper body flies into the projector booth. Blood covers the lens
- Phil is pulled to the ceiling by sharp claws
- Susie loses her arm with a single bite
- The theater floor, seats and walls turn red with blood
Lilly and Ronnie run through the dark theater. They reach the lobby with heavy breathing. Lilly holds Susie’s severed hand. Everyone else is gone.
The episode ends there.
Are They Coming Back
The creators confirmed the deaths are final.
- Teddy split into two parts
- Phil and Susie pulled away and eaten
- Matty was already dead from the start
The team behind the show said they wanted the audience to know no one is safe in this story. Even the HBO team was shocked when they first heard the full idea of the scene.
Why This Brutal Choice Matters
This show is not using shock only for attention. It uses horror to make a point.
- It changes what viewers expect
People think the young team will survive like the Losers Club. This show removes that idea in the very first episode. - It uses real fears from the 1960s
The demon baby connects with real events from that time
- Thalidomide medicine crisis that caused birth defects
- Nuclear fears because of bombs and fallout drills
Derry is a place that always harms kids
Stephen King has said the town carries hate inside its history. The monster grows when people look away.
Hidden Clues in the Episode
| Clue | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red balloon in sewer | Pennywise is near |
| Bullying on Teddy | Connects to future victims in IT |
| Uncle Sam figure | Shows Cold War fear |
| Whispers inside sewer | Fear becomes a voice |
| The air base story | Something under Derry is active |
The show also brings Major Hanlon into the story. This connects to the future IT timeline and the coming seasons.
What Fans Said
Social reactions exploded. The hashtag ITWelcomeToDerry crossed 250000 plus posts in one day. Many praised the fearless ending. Some fans wanted more buildup. Others said the military part slowed the story. Still the strongest reaction was about the shocking theater scene.
Episode 2 Arrives Soon
The second episode releases on October 28 at 3 a.m. ET. The episode will air again on Halloween. Lilly and Ronnie feel broken and scared. The town hides the truth again.
Pennywise has not shown his clown face yet. The military looks into Derry. Something older and more dangerous is moving below the surface.
Final View
IT: Welcome to Derry brings a darker version of this world. It focuses on the monster winning again. The horror does not wait. The fear grows fast.
The ending of this episode proves that survival is not easy in Derry. If you plan to watch it, keep a light on. Maybe do not sit inside a theater.
