HBO Max has a Halloween surprise for horror fans.
The streamer quietly dropped a brand-new episode of IT: Welcome to Derry on Saturday, giving fans an unexpected return to Stephen King’s terrifying universe on Halloween. The 30-minute special, titled “A Story of Derry,” is now streaming on HBO Max.
The surprise episode takes viewers hundreds of years before the events of IT: Welcome to Derry and explores an ancient horror that existed in the area long before Pennywise became the nightmare haunting Derry.
The New ‘Welcome to Derry’ Episode Goes Way Back
“A Story of Derry” follows three young people who venture into the Western Wood, where they encounter a terrifying ancient spirit.
The episode focuses on the fictional Shokopiwah people, who were previously introduced during the first season of IT: Welcome to Derry. It expands the mythology of the world rather than simply continuing the story viewers saw during Season 1.
That also means fans shouldn’t necessarily expect Pennywise to show up.
The story takes place centuries before the events of the series, making it more of a prequel to a prequel. It’s another way for HBO Max to expand the mythology surrounding Derry and the supernatural evil connected to the town.
Tazbah Chavez directed the special, while Cherie Dimaline and Jasmyne Flournoy wrote the episode. The cast includes Kiawentiio, Brandon Oakes, Isabel Deroy-Olson, Michael Podemski-Bedard, Morningstar Angeline, Jennifer Podemski, Zahn McClarnon and others.
HBO Max Has Done This Before
The Halloween surprise isn’t completely unprecedented. TVLine notes that HBO Max pulled a similar trick last year when it released the second episode of IT: Welcome to Derry on Halloween, two days ahead of its regularly scheduled release.
This year’s surprise is arguably even more unexpected because season 1 already ended, meaning viewers weren’t waiting for the next episode in a currently airing season. Instead, HBO Max essentially created a brand-new Halloween treat for fans while they wait for Season 2. And there’s plenty more Derry coming.
HBO renewed IT: Welcome to Derry for a second season in August, several months after the first season concluded.
The next season will jump back to 1935, during the Great Depression, and center on the Bradley Gang massacre. According to HBO’s description, the gang of bank robbers stops in Derry to buy ammunition and encounters something far more terrifying than they expected.
The show’s creators have previously described a larger plan for the series that would span three seasons and explore three major catastrophic events from the interludes in Stephen King’s IT.
You Can Watch the Surprise Episode Now
The good news for anyone looking for one last Halloween scare is that there’s no waiting involved.
“A Story of Derry” is streaming now on HBO Max. The special runs about 30 minutes, making it an easy addition to a Halloween-night horror marathon.
All nine episodes of season 1 are also available on HBO Max, and the release date for season 2 is still impending.
