Welcome to Derry May Have Solved a Lingering It Mystery

The clown's impact on the children of the Derry series molds them throughout their adult lives, transforming them into the exact individuals who perpetuate the community's cycle of hatred ongoing. It preys most easily on children from fractured households — children who often grow up to repeat the same patterns as their parents. But, the Hanlon household distinguishes itself as one of the few households that never splinters, which could clarify why Mike Hanlon, even after choosing to stay in Derry, remains the only Loser who doesn't completely succumb under Pennywise's sway.

The Hanlon Family's Unique Resilience

In the fourth installment of the series, Leroy Hanlon at last grows more aware of the supernatural forces surrounding the neighborhood, particularly when the entity begins tormenting his child, Will Hanlon, during their fishing trip. The Hanlon family comprises some of the few adults who are cognizant that something is amiss with the municipality, especially Leroy, who was revealed to be receptive to the Shining when he was capable of sensing Dick Hallorann's use of it in the third episode. Subsequently, he sees one of Pennywise's signature inflated orbs outside his house. This gift, coupled with his failure to experience terror, combined with the base of his family, could be why he's capable of perceiving the entity's manifestations. But what if that shining is generational, and a key factor Mike is one of the only individuals in the town who resisted succumbing to its cruelty?

Will is a member of the collective of children at his school being tormented by the clown. All his school friends come from broken homes, with caregivers who don't believe they're being targeted. The cause Will is being haunted is because of the viciousness of the community, combined with his potential sensitivity to psychic abilities, which makes him susceptible. The Hanlons are ultimately strangers in the town during the early sixties, which contributes towards the household sensing something is off about the locality from the onset. They also have a good foundation that remains unbroken, unlike the residents who originate in the town, with relationships that have deteriorated within.

Historical Context

Drawing from the original book, we know the juvenile Will will find himself at the infamous nightclub, where the psychic will save him from a fire that the local KKK members of the community will cause. In the 2017 film, we observe that he has a boy named Mike and that Will eventually perishes in a configration, with his father outliving his own child and taking his grandson in. The public account in the film is that Mike's parents were on substances, but now that we see him in the series, that's hard to believe. Maybe the shy boy, once he became an adult, turned to alcohol to rid himself of the torments, or maybe the corrupt town got to him initially, with the KKK ultimately completing the task it began years ago. Be it via the fear of the entity or through the cruelty of the community, seeded by Pennywise, the creature eventually achieves the last laugh on Will.

Leroy's Transformation

These occurrences would clarify how Leroy changes so drastically from what we witness in the first film and the prequel. In his older age, Leroy seems resentful and much harsher with his parenting. Since he survived his own offspring, it's understandable to see such a profound shift. However, his words hold greater significance since we are aware he's seen Pennywise's hauntings and the effects they had on his child. In the initial sequence of the movie, we observe the boy hesitate to use a stunning device on a sheep at the family property. Leroy chastises him for delaying and offers an analogy that leads to a kill-or-be-killed situation.

“There are two places you can be in this world. You can be in the open like we are, or you can be trapped inside,” he says as he points to the creature. “You dawdle hemming and hawing, and someone is going to decide for you. But you won't know it until you experience that bolt between your eyes.”

In hindsight, this could represent a bit of prediction, something he regrets not imparting to his own son. Maybe he desires he had acted differently in his youth, but for some reason, he couldn't resist the repellent attraction of the town.