1986 Stephen King novel turned 2017 blockbuster “It: Chapter One” (also simply known as “It”) hit theaters on Sept. 8. The movie centers around seven children in the small town of Derry, who are terrorized by “It,” an evil entity that takes on the form of each of their biggest fears in order to kill and eat children. Together, they must find a way to defeat It.

The movie received very positive reviews, including an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and smashed box-office records for highest pre-sales by an R-rated horror movie. It was also positively reviewed on social media, after fans’ raves about the iconic character, Pennywise the Clown (aka It), and numerous advertising campaigns.

However, because it is an adaptation of the famous King novel, many film critics are quick to point out the discrepancies between the book and movie. The most obvious difference is the actual length of the movie itself. The book is split into two sections: one set in 1958, focusing on the children’s ordeals with It, and one in 1985, when the children return to Derry again. The movie, fittingly titled “It: Chapter One,” only documents the stories in 1958. Director Andy Muschietti revealed that the sequel would focus more on the character’s adult lives.

Other major criticisms of the movie debated its “horror” genre. Some critics say that the movie simply wasn’t scary enough, or failed to hone in on the dark horror that is so characteristic of King’s writing. The movie largely focused on the children’s experiences and time together, instead of the much deeper evil of It that is portrayed in the book.

Junior Julia Ki commented on this, saying, “it had depth, it just didn’t serve its purpose for me, going in as someone who wanted to get scared.”

However, Ki adds that “the plot went deeper than just the clown and was very cast-centered, which made lot of the movie about the kids themselves and not about It at all.”

History teacher Mr. Traver said that movie adaptations tended to portray It as just a scary clown, while “Pennywise showed up to children as a clown very often because children are scared of clowns, but he’s supposed to be a manifestation of terror in general.”

“It: Chapter One” has made major waves in the media industry this fall, setting records for largest opening weekend for a horror film in 2017 and second-biggest R-rated movie debut (after “Deadpool.”) “It” fans now begin the long wait for the sequel, set to release in September , 2018.