'It: Welcome to Derry' Episode 2 trailer fuels theory about the truth behind theatre massacre

Fans believe the 'It: Welcome to Derry' Episode 2 trailer hints that theatre massacre may have been a hallucination

The trailer for It: Welcome to Derry Episode 2 has led fans to believe that the violent theatre massacre seen in the premiere may not have been real.

The new footage, released ahead of the Halloween episode, has sparked widespread debate about whether the killings were a hallucination caused by Pennywise.

Set 27 years before Andy Muschietti’s It films, the series follows the sinister events in Derry as the malevolent entity begins its reign of terror.

The first episode ended in shocking fashion when a demonic bat baby killed Teddy Uris (Mikkal Karim-Fidler) before attacking the Malkin siblings in the town theatre, suggesting that no one in Derry is safe.

However, fans now think Episode 2 may reveal that the massacre was a nightmare. The theory, shared by YouTuber BrainPilot, points to moments in the new trailer where Lilly (Clara Stack) is seen saying, “No one’s gonna believe me,” followed by scenes of her waking up in bed. Viewers speculate this could indicate the attack never actually happened, and the children are still alive.

While the idea of the massacre being reversed might disappoint some viewers, others believe Muschietti is deliberately keeping audiences uncertain. The show’s creator has previously said his goal was to make the world of It unpredictable.

“You want to create an event that gives the audience a sense that if these kids were smoked at the end of the first episode, nothing is sacred,” Muschietti told The Hollywood Reporter. “In this world, no one will be safe. So, technically, that was the intention.”

It: Welcome to Derry Episode 2 premieres early for Halloween, promising more answers — and possibly more questions — about what really happened at the Derry theatre.