The film shifts the children's timeline from the 1950s (as in the novel) to 1988–1989 , tapping into 80s nostalgia similar to Stranger Things .
By isolating the childhood era, director Andy Muschietti was able to treat the film more like a coming-of-age drama (comparable to King's Stand By Me ) rather than just a standard slasher. It(2017)
This structure allows the audience to experience the growing dread and "childhood trauma" alongside the kids without the "safety net" of knowing they all survived into adulthood. Technical & Artistic Highlights The film shifts the children's timeline from the