It: Chapter Two and the Accurate Depiction of Fear for Queer Folks
*spoilers ahead*
Last year the highly anticipated sequel to IT: Chapter One finally came and roped the fans back in for another round of Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård). The film itself may not compare to the first remake (in my opinion they’re both good), but it showed us just how trauma works. The beloved "The Losers Club" do face the same evil, just as grown adults with looming trauma and forgotten but resurfaced memories. Rather than steering away from heavy and disturbing content - the film goes all in and doesn’t hold back. And the original source material (It, the novel) comes into play with the explicit beating and death of Adrian Mellon (Xavier Dolan), a gay man.
This scene in the beginning of the film naturally sparked controversy. Which ultimately steered away from the purpose of showing such a violent act of homophobia. While some scenes like that aren’t necessary, Adrian’s death was. It was a depiction of real life homophobia and what happens every day to folks within the LGBTQ community. Aside from the gruesome death by an evil entity posing as a clown. With the presence of Pennywise being active in the fictional town of Derry, Maine, after 27 years, it only amplified what existed in people to begin with. In the case of Adrian Mellon, it was homophobia that had the major hand in killing him.
To much surprise the movie actually addressed something that fans were anxious about: Richie (Bill Hader) and Eddie (James Ransone). Or at least Richie’s feelings for Eddie. Unfortunately, just like real life, internalized homophobia and fear of rejection very obviously played a part in the lack of admission of feelings. Nothing ever gets said outright and the tragedy of that is blistering. Especially when Eddie meets his fate by the hands of It before the film ends. While the movie didn’t give Richie the room to say anything or allow us to see Eddies’ reaction, it’s still noticeable that much went unsaid. Something that isn’t entirely unheard of in situations of same gender best friends and the questioning of reciprocated feelings.
When we’re greeted with flashbacks of young Richie (Finn Wolfhard) at the arcade with young Henry Bowers’ (Nicholas Hamilton) cousin, it’s meant to sting. The realism of being humiliated and having to stifle/hide not being straight radiates through the arcade scene. Not long after Pennywise taunts Richie (“Wanna kiss, Richie?”) and chases him as a Paul Bunyon statue. Adult Richie doesn’t receive the same torturous treatment, though the taunting is more cruel. It sing-songs that he knows Richie’s “dirty little secret” and it’s obvious what It means. As he conveniently screws with Richie in the same park and while other people are around. Giving us that sense of being outed without really being outed. Something that’s validly a fear for most queer individuals.
While the movie isn’t perfect and there are valid criticisms about its handling of Richie and Eddie and queer content overall - the messages ring loud and clear. Homophobia (both internalized and otherwise) are real life fears that linger in the world. We don’t need Pennywise or any other entity to help stir up the violent homophobic thoughts within people, nor make them act out their homophobia. And we certainly don’t need It to help bubble up internalized homophobia and unresolved feelings either. All of this exists and is still prevalent in the world and that’s apart of what should make it all the more scary.
Follow Vanessa Maki on Instagram and Twitter @theblackbuffy.