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Should Christians Watch It (2017)?

Name: GodlyScore Review: Should Christians Watch It (2017)?
Item: It (2017 film)
Rating: 1.9
Author: GodlyScore

Should Christians watch It? The 2017 adaptation of Stephen King's classic novel became one of the highest-grossing horror films of all time. Here is the complete Christian content assessment.

GODLY

It (2017 film)

Caution

★★☆☆☆1.9/5 · GodlyScore 38/100

It follows a group of children in Derry, Maine who are terrorized by a shapeshifting entity that primarily takes the form of Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Content: intense horror targeting children (jump scares, graphic violence including child deaths), strong language throughout (the child characters curse extensively), and disturbing imagery. Not appropriate for families or young teenagers. 38/100 Caution — for adult horror fans only.

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What It Is

It (2017, directed by Andy Muschietti) is the first part of the adaptation of Stephen King's 1986 novel, following the "Losers' Club" — seven children in Derry, Maine in 1989 — being terrorized by Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård), a shapeshifting entity that feeds on children by taking the form of their fears. The film grossed $700 million worldwide and became the highest-grossing horror film at that time. It: Chapter Two (2019) follows the same characters 27 years later.

Content Assessment

Horror/violence: Intense and sustained. Children are the primary targets — child deaths are depicted graphically. Pennywise sequences are effectively terrifying and include disturbing imagery (clown trauma, body horror). Not appropriate for children or teenagers despite featuring child protagonists.

Language: Strong throughout — the child characters curse extensively in ways that are among the film's most notable content issues for Christian parents. The language is far more explicit than PG-13 equivalent; It is rated R in part for language.

Sexual content: Minimal — not a significant concern.

Supernatural/occult: Pennywise is a shapeshifting supernatural entity described in King's novel as an ancient evil beyond human comprehension. The film doesn't engage with this metaphysics deeply, but the supernatural horror is central.

For Christian Families

Not appropriate for children or teenagers despite the child protagonists — the content is adult horror. For adult Christians who enjoy horror: It is exceptionally well-made, with genuinely memorable horror craft and a strong friendship/courage theme at its core (the Losers' Club overcoming fear through friendship). Compare with A Quiet Place for horror with far more Christian-compatible content. See our Christian TV Reviews hub. Plugged In reviews both films in detail.

For horror with redemptive themes, see our guide Should Christians Watch A Quiet Place?

Frequently Asked Questions

Should Christians watch It?

38/100 Caution — adult horror fans only. It is well-made horror with strong performances and genuine scares, but the content is substantial: graphic violence including child deaths, strong pervasive language from child characters, and disturbing horror imagery. Not appropriate for children, teenagers, or family viewing despite the child protagonists. Adult Christians who enjoy the horror genre can engage it with awareness of these concerns.

Is It appropriate for Christians?

For mature adults who enjoy horror, with content awareness. The primary concerns: intense violence (including child deaths depicted graphically), strong pervasive language (child characters curse extensively), and disturbing horror imagery. Not appropriate for families. The film's core theme of friendship and courage overcoming fear has genuine resonance, but the content concerns are real.

Is It appropriate for teenagers?

No — despite featuring teenage protagonists, It is rated R and contains content not appropriate for teenagers: graphic violence, strong pervasive language, and disturbing horror imagery. The fact that the characters are similar in age to teenage viewers makes it more appealing but not more appropriate. Parents should be aware that many teenagers will encounter this film.