--- title: "It Chapter Two: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/it-chapter-two/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/it-chapter-two" critics_score: 62 critics_reviews: 27 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # It Chapter Two (2019): what the critics said Critics' score 62 from 27 reviews: 13 positive, 8 mixed, 6 negative. The reviews lean towards qualified approval of It Chapter Two, with praise clustering around the adult cast and its handling of the Losers’ reunion. Bill Hader’s Richie is the most consistently admired performance, earning approval even from critics who find the sequel disappointing. Bill Skarsgård’s Pennywise also draws praise for supplying chills that the elaborate effects do not always match. Supporters find the horror inventive and the characters’ emotional lives affecting. Excessive length and repetition are the recurring complaints, including among favourable reviews. Critics divide more sharply over whether the humour complements the horror or drains its suspense, and whether the adult ensemble recaptures the earlier film’s chemistry. The spread is wide: Empire considers the sequel a confident improvement, while Film Stories finds a bloated downgrade. Between those positions, many reviews describe an entertaining but uneven film whose performances do much of the work. ## Empire — Alex Godfrey Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2019. Godfrey finds the sequel an obscenely entertaining, confident step up that is deeper, scarier and funnier. He especially praises Bill Skarsgård’s unnerving performance as Pennywise and the film’s bold, inventive horror spectacle. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/it-chapter-two/) ## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan Rating 4/5. 3 September 2019. O'Sullivan finds the film bold, frequently shocking and ultimately thrilling, though overlong and uneven. She especially praises its poignant portrayal of Richie’s concealed sexuality and thwarted desire. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/it-chapter-two-review-a-shocking-surprisingly-touching-return-to-a-grown-up-derry-a4228136.html) ## Time Out — Joshua Rothkopf Rating 4/5. 2 September 2019. Rothkopf says this horror sequel more than surpasses its predecessor. He highlights the grown-up Losers’ Club confronting Pennywise again. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/it-chapter-two) ## Slant Magazine — Henry Stewart Rating 3/4. 5 September 2019. Stewart finds the sequel knowingly campy and entertaining, though it cannot match the source novel’s scope. He especially praises Bill Hader’s more layered performance as Richie. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review-it-chapter-two-takes-knowingly-schlocky-aim-at-cultural-amnesia/) ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Fi1m's normalised score 72/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2019. The available standfirst describes the film as a captivating conclusion to the killer-clown saga. It singles out the Losers' Club's grim homecoming, but the full review is unavailable. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/it-chapter-two-review-stephen-king/) ## Sight and Sound — Lou Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 5 September 2019. Thomas finds the sequel enjoyable but over-reliant on jump scares and nostalgia. He singles out Bill Skarsgård’s terrifying Pennywise performance as its chief source of real chills. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/it-chapter-two-review-pungently-nostalgic-pop-horror-epic) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2019. Debruge finds the sequel overlong but suitably scary, and ultimately satisfying in the way it brings the story to a close. He praises its inventive horror set pieces and the sense of closure, while criticizing the drawn-out running time. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/it-chapter-two-review-1203321205/) ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The review’s verdict cannot be verified because the page is blocked. Its specific praise or criticism is also unavailable. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/it-chapter-two-2019) ## Screen Daily — Kim Newman Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 4 September 2019. The page identifies this as a review, but its verdict is hidden behind the access prompt. The visible standfirst only notes the grown-up Losers reuniting to face Pennywise again. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/it-chapter-two-review/5142468.article) ## IndieWire — Kate Erbland Rating C+. 3 September 2019. The review finds the sequel haltingly satisfying but overlong, repetitive, and less frightening than the first film. It praises the ensemble cast, especially Bill Hader’s standout performance as Richie. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/it-chapter-two-review-sequel-1202168988/) ## The AV Club — Katie Rife Rating C+. 3 September 2019. Rife finds the film underwhelming and not especially frightening, despite its appealing craft and performances. She singles out Bill Hader’s magnetic turn for praise, while criticizing the mistimed humor for undermining suspense. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/despite-a-scene-stealing-turn-from-bill-hader-it-chapt-1837795751) ## The Guardian — Mark Kermode Rating 3/5. 8 September 2019. Kermode finds the sequel entertaining but frustrating, with spectacle that fails to deliver much emotional impact. He praises its visual style and singled-out eerily understated moments, while criticizing its episodic structure and reliance on humor that deflates dread. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/sep/08/it-chapter-two-review-stephen-king-clowning-around) ## Total Film — Jamie Graham Rating 3/5. 3 September 2019. Graham finds the ambitious sequel slightly less affecting than its predecessor, though it captures the spirit of King’s novel. He praises the adult Losers’ performances, especially Bill Hader, and the film’s poignant shifts between timeframes, while criticizing its episodic middle and overreliance on CGI. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/it-chapter-2-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Jen Yamato Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2019. Yamato finds the film emotionally resonant but overstuffed, with its scares often falling short. She praises Jessica Chastain’s performance and singles out Beverly’s unsettling visit to her old apartment as the film’s most successful scene. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-09-03/it-chapter-two-review-2019) ## Little White Lies — Anton Bitel Rating 3/2/2. 3 September 2019. Bitel finds the film an overlong, dull rehash of the first chapter. He singles out Pennywise’s brief appearance as a normal man in greasepaint as more menacing than the elaborate digital transformations. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/it-chapter-two) ## The i Paper — Demetrios Matheou Rating ★★. 5 September 2019. The critic finds the sequel pointless, overlong, and predictable compared with the first film. Bill Skarsgård’s chilling performance as Pennywise is singled out as the film’s most frightening strength. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/it-chapter-two-review-bill-skarsgard-james-mcavoy-jessica-chastain-times-cast-334914) ## The Hollywood Reporter — John DeFore Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2019. DeFore finds the film less satisfying than its predecessor, criticizing its repetitive structure and excessive length. He praises the casting and Bill Hader’s scene-stealing performance, but says the adult Losers lack the younger cast’s chemistry. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/it-chapter-two-review-1236130/) ## Vulture — Angelica Jade Bastién Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 5 September 2019. Bastién finds the film frustratingly thin and tonally uneven, with too little horror or emotional weight. She particularly faults it for wasting Pennywise and making the scares feel silly and forgettable. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2019/09/it-chapter-two-review-we-need-more-pennywise.html) ## Digital Spy — Ian Sandwell Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2019. Sandwell finds the sequel creepy, affecting, and worthy of the first film. He particularly praises the casting and the performances of Bill Hader and James Ransone, while noting that some scares feel repetitive. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a28699997/it-chapter-2-review/) ## Den of Geek — Rosie Fletcher Rating 4/5. 6 September 2019. The critic finds it an impressive, daring, and entertaining horror blockbuster, despite some flaws. She praises the adult cast and the film’s ambitious, unsettling set pieces, but finds the ending undercooked. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/it-chapter-two-review-an-ambitious-horror-blockbuster/) ## /Film — Chris Evangelista Rating 8/10. 3 September 2019. The critic finds the film messy and uneven but ultimately rewarding for its bold scale and heartfelt grasp of Stephen King’s characters. Bill Hader’s performance as Richie is singled out as the standout. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/568831/it-chapter-two-review/) ## Consequence — Michael Roffman Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2019. Roffman finds the film emotionally affecting despite its exhausting jump scares, CGI, and overlong runtime. He particularly praises the heartfelt portraits of the Losers and the cast’s ensemble chemistry. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2019/09/film-review-it-chapter-two/) ## NME Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the sequel a satisfying blend of horror and humor, despite its excessive length and an anticlimactic ending. They single out Bill Hader’s performance and the film’s strangest, most inventive scares for praise. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/it-chapter-2-review-stephen-king-pennywise-2544394) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2019. The critic finds the sequel stronger than its predecessor, praising its focus on intimate psychological horror. The scenes with Mrs. Kersh and Pennywise as Beverly’s father stand out for relying on performers rather than elaborate effects. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/it-chapter-two-film-review-jessica-chastain-pennywise/) ## Paste — Will Leitch Rating 5.4. 6 September 2019. Leitch finds the sequel overlong and less compelling than its predecessor. He praises Bill Hader’s standout performance but faults the film for sidelining Pennywise and leaning on exhausting mythology. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/it/it-chapter-two) ## Film Stories — Simon Brew Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2019. Brew finds the film a bloated, disappointing downgrade that runs out of story despite its lengthy runtime. He praises Jessica Chastain and Bill Hader’s performances and the film’s capable direction and cinematography. [Read the review](https://filmstories.co.uk/reviews/it-chapter-2-review/) ## The Ringer — Miles Surrey Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 6 September 2019. Surrey finds the sequel underwhelming and ultimately a missed opportunity to embrace the novel’s strangeness. He singles out the repetitive scare pattern and the film’s nearly three-hour runtime as key complaints. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2019/09/06/movies/it-chapter-two-review) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/it-chapter-two.md