WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Astrid and Lilly Save the World, Season 1, Episode 1, “Tontoom,” now available on Syfy.
In both film versions of Stephen King’s It, it’s safe to say Pennywise was quite divisive. Tim Curry’s version scared folks decades ago, but it felt more slapstick than anything. Then came Bill Skarsgård’s version, and while it upped the horror factor, it felt like a rehash of the old one, not really putting his own spin on things. Luckily, Astrid & Lilly Save the World homaged the clown and upgraded it with its own take on Pennywise in the underground sewers.
Who Is Astrid & Lilly Save the World’s Pennywise?
It is the demonic Tearjerker, who came to Earth when Astrid and Lilly accidentally opened a portal after they tried to banish bullies. When one of their haters, Tate, got into a fight with a girl at a party, he ran off, only to see weird fingers summoning him through the storm drain.
It was a tribute to when Pennywise called out to young Georgie, but in those movies, he used his face and soft voice to appear friendly, cute and inviting. In this case, Tate was so heartbroken, he didn’t realize he was walking toward a demon. Unfortunately, fans didn’t get to see him get pulled through, but it was obvious this was an It tribute.
Why Is The Tearjerker a Better Pennywise?
Now, this isn’t to knock the clowns, but it didn’t feel like the movies got the balance right in terms of fear and humor, especially in the modern era, but Tearjerker nails it. For instance, rather than have kids suspended in air during the Deadlights ritual so Pennywise would transcend as a demonic alien, Tearjerker stuck to old-fashioned torture.
He wasn’t about the apocalypse or taking the world over; he was here to have fun. He was a demonic dancer, with an Elvis-like look and a hint of Angel’s Lorne, waltzing around but hurting the teens so they would constantly cry. He even collected their tears in martini glasses and drank these “teartinis” to have his own underground party.
He’s a lot more zany and fun, which did make the character more disturbing. Tearjerker’s personality also felt more memorable, compounded by how quickly he switched into devil mode by ripping a girl’s eyes out and using them as olives. It was what Pennywise tried to be, that is until Astrid and Lilly attacked and cut his tongue out so they could seal the portal. That said, Tearjerker felt like a Pennywise with spunk and attitude, taking influence from King but changing things up so it would feel original.
New episodes of Astrid & Lilly Save the World air Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Syfy.
About The Author
