Andy Muschietti’s IT: Chapter Two is being released in both the United States and Australia tomorrow night, September 5th, and the marketing campaign over in Australia has been making headlines amid various complaints from parents. As reported by 9news, parents say that giant billboards of Pennywise’s face have been giving their young children nightmares.
“It just totally freaks them out,” Brisbane mother Kellie told the Australian news outlet, speaking about her kids’ reaction to the billboards.
Her daughter Piper chimed in, “I get really scared because it’s hard to go to bed when you have a scary picture in your mind. Before I go to bed, I have to check the whole room. And when I finally go to bed I will wake up after a nightmare.”
Another mother also told 9news that her child is terrified by the imagery. “Some people do enjoy going to horror movies and that’s fine and that’s their choice, and I understand that but we’re not choosing to see this poster,” said Jane, who issued a complaint with Ad Standards.
The complaints stem from the billboards being placed in areas frequented by children, but the Ad Standards board says they don’t break any of the rules they’re tasked with enforcing.
You’ve still got it, Pennywise. Job well done.