IT: CHAPTER 2 Poster Terrifies Children, Concerns Parents
By Tess Farrand, Associate Content Editor
Stephen King’s infamous clown returns to the screen in IT: CHAPTER 2 later this month. Pennywise’s creepy grin, red-laced eyes and ghostly skin have so scared children that parents are pushing back.
Some parents in Australia have filed complaints with Warner Bros. because it’s giving their children nightmares. Indie Wire explains more:
“It Chapter Two” is rated MA15+ in Australia, which prohibits children under the age of 15 from seeing the horror film without parental guidance. The complaint made to Ad Standards argues that advertising for movies with the MA15+ rating should be restricted or banned in areas frequented by children.
Ad Standards, which manages the complaint resolution process in Australia, said it will not be removing the billboards because they do not feature explicit content. The “It Chapter Two” poster features a close-up of Pennywise’s face. Ad Standards issued a statement saying it “generally has no jurisdiction over the placement or timing of advertisements, except when considering the use of language or sex, sexuality or nudity in advertising.”
Still, the aversion continues.
For the full review of IT, click here.
In 2018, THE NUN garnered similar concern with its scary poster. Movieguide® previously reported:
The movie poster shows one nun with beady yellow/green eyes, dark circles around the eyes and black lips on a ghostly white face.
THE NUN movie poster will no doubt send chills down younger audiences’ spines. Although all movie posters try to communicate the message of their movie, the scary images do a disservice to nuns and the church.
Why the scare tactic? Hollywood loves turning safe into scary. Dolls, clowns, babies…you name it, they’ve done it. As a result, these people or things are often deemed creepy. Think of CHUCKIE, CLOWNHOUSE and IT, just to name a few.
Movieguide® co-founder Dr. Ted Baehr frequently teaches how images have immense impact on viewers’ eyes- especially children.
In his book The Culture-Wise Family, which Baehr co-authored with legendary performer Pat Boone, he states, “The innocent eyes of children need protection from exposure to the immoral, perverse and grotesquely violent images that pervade the mass media of entertainment.”
What are your thoughts on this topic?
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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