If you thought Stephen King’s Derry was terrifying on the big screen, buckle up—because HBO’s Welcome to Derry just cranked the horror dial to eleven with Episode 7, a pulse-pounding, heart-shredding masterpiece that’s got fans declaring it the pinnacle of the IT saga. Airing Sunday night on Max, “The Black Spot” didn’t just deliver scares; it unleashed an emotional tsunami that left viewers ugly-crying, screaming at their screens, and hailing it as the most devastating hour of television this year. From the moment the credits rolled, social media exploded with reactions like “This episode broke me—best IT ever!” and “Pennywise who? This show is on another level.” And honestly? They’re not wrong. In a franchise that’s spawned iconic films, miniseries, and endless nightmares, this prequel has somehow elevated the lore, blending bone-chilling horror with raw, human emotion in ways that make Andy Muschietti’s movies look like warm-ups.

Let’s rewind a bit for the uninitiated. Welcome to Derry drops us into 1962 Maine, decades before the Losers’ Club faced off against Pennywise in the ’80s and ’90s. We follow a fresh batch of kids and adults grappling with the town’s ancient curse, all while the military lurks in the shadows, poking at horrors they can’t comprehend. The series, helmed by Muschietti himself alongside his sister Barbara and co-creator Jason Fuchs, isn’t just fan service—it’s a bold expansion of King’s universe, weaving in Indigenous lore, Cold War paranoia, and the ugly underbelly of small-town racism. But Episode 7? That’s where it all coalesces into something transcendent.

The hour opens with a chilling prologue that finally peels back the curtain on Pennywise’s origins. We flash back to 1908, where a traveling circus brings joy to Derry’s children—until it doesn’t. Bill Skarsgård reprises his iconic role, but this time, we meet Bob Gray, the human performer whose clown persona It hijacked. It’s a masterful bait-and-switch: Gray’s jovial dances give way to something sinister, his eyes flickering with otherworldly hunger. Skarsgård’s performance here is electric—equal parts charming showman and creeping dread. Fans who’ve waited years for more Pennywise depth get it in spades, with one viral tweet declaring, “Skarsgård just made Pennywise scarier than ever. This origin? Chef’s kiss.” It’s not just jumpscares (though there are plenty); it’s psychological warfare, showing how It preys on innocence, turning laughter into screams.

But the real gut-punch is the Black Spot sequence, a direct adaptation of one of King’s most harrowing interludes. In the book, it’s a brief, brutal flashback—the town’s only Black-owned club torched by racists during a packed night. The show doesn’t shy away; it dives in, building tension like a pressure cooker. We see the joy first: laughter, music, community thriving against Derry’s shadows. Then, the masked mob arrives, flames erupt, and chaos reigns. The cinematography is stunning—fiery oranges clashing with nightmarish shadows, screams echoing as bodies pile up. It’s visceral, unflinching, and heartbreaking, especially as characters we’ve grown to love face impossible choices. Rich (Arian S. Cartaya) and Marge’s final moments? Pure devastation. Their goodbye, whispered amid the inferno, had me reaching for tissues. “That scene ripped my soul out,” one Reddit user posted in a thread with 10k upvotes. “The emotion here hits harder than any IT death.”

What sets Episode 7 apart—and cements Welcome to Derry as potentially the best adaptation—is how it balances horror with humanity. The films nailed the scares, but this show lingers on the aftermath: the grief, the rage, the quiet resilience. Chris Chalk as Dick Hallorann steals scenes, his “shining” guiding survivors through the flames with ghostly allies. It’s a nod to The Shining that feels organic, adding layers to King’s interconnected universe. Meanwhile, the young cast—Matilda Lawler as Lilly, Amanda Christine as June—bring raw vulnerability, their fear palpable as they witness Derry’s true monster: not just Pennywise, but the town’s festering hatred.

Compared to the movies, this episode shines brighter. Muschietti’s films were spectacle-driven—epic set pieces, CGI spectacle, Bill Skarsgård’s magnetic Pennywise. But they skimmed the book’s historical interludes, like the Black Spot, in favor of fast-paced chills. Here, the TV format allows breathing room: we feel the buildup, the terror, the loss. No quick cuts; instead, long, agonizing takes that immerse you in the panic. “The films were fun scares,” a fan tweeted. “This? This is trauma. Welcome to Derry gets King’s soul.” And the emotion? It’s off the charts. Where the movies leaned on jump scares, Episode 7 builds dread through character bonds. When the credits hit, you’re not just scared—you’re shattered.

Social media is ablaze with praise. On X, #TheBlackSpot trended worldwide, with over 500k posts in 24 hours. “Episode 7 is PEAK horror TV,” one user raved. “The fire scene? Cinematic masterpiece. Cried like a baby.” Reddit’s r/WelcomeToDerry exploded with 15k-upvote threads dissecting every frame: “This adaptation finally honors the book’s racism subplot—brutal but necessary.” TikTok edits of the inferno set to haunting scores have millions of views, fans dubbing it “the saddest episode ever.” Even critics agree: IGN called it “the season’s most focused hour,” praising the “heart-wrenching set-piece.” Rotten Tomatoes audience score? A blistering 98%, with reviews echoing, “Better than the movies—deeper, scarier, more emotional.”

Of course, it’s not perfect. Some nitpick the military subplot’s contrived twists—General Shaw’s plan to weaponize It feels cartoonish amid the raw realism. But even detractors admit Episode 7 redeems it, with James Remar’s gravelly intensity selling the menace. And that ending? Pennywise awakening, eyes glowing in the sewers? Chills. It tees up a finale that’s sure to be legendary.

At its core, Welcome to Derry Episode 7 isn’t just horror—it’s a mirror to America’s darkest chapters, wrapped in King’s supernatural dread. It hurts because it’s real: the racism, the loss, the fight to survive. As one viewer posted, “This show doesn’t just scare you; it makes you feel the terror.” If you haven’t binged yet, do it. But grab tissues. After this episode, Derry isn’t just a town—it’s etched in your soul. The best IT adaptation? Hands down. And with one episode left, the terror’s only beginning.