Is Matty Alive in IT: Welcome to Derry? Explained

IT: Welcome to Derry is the prequel series to the 2017 film IT and its 2019 sequel IT: Chapter Two. This series takes place in the 1960s and explores where the malevolent entity Pennywise came from and also explores about the strange town of Derry, Maine.

The show introduces new characters while also providing deeper insights into the supernatural forces at play long before the events of the films. The series premiered on HBO on October 26, 2025.

Disclaimer: The following article contains spoilers from IT: Welcome to Derry. Reader’s discretion is required.

Episode 5's Matty Clements twist represents a turning point in the series. Matty's return raises worries about his fate as a significant character. This episode shows Matty alive and well, suggesting he survived Derry's sewers. The true story of Matty's survival is darker and more twisted than anyone could guess.

No, Matty Clements is not alive in IT: Welcome to Derry; he was killed earlier by Pennywise, who later uses his form to deceive the other children. The Matty seen in the sewers is actually Pennywise in disguise, luring the kids deeper into his domain.

The mystery of Matty Clements in IT: Welcome to Derry

Matty Clements' fate in IT: Welcome to Derry (Image via YouTube/HBO Max)

In episode 5, viewers are shocked when Matty Clements reappears alive after his apparent death in the premiere. Miles Ekhardt played Matty, a young child who disappeared following a terrible encounter with the town's evil power. His return raises new doubts about a series of odd happenings that began with his death. Would Matty have survived? Or is there a darker motive?

The twist is revealed later in the episode when Matty, seemingly alive, takes the Losers Club deeper into the sewers of Derry. As the group moves into the labyrinthine tunnels, they find out a scary truth: Matty has been dead the whole time.

Pennywise was hiding his true identity by appearing like Matty. Pennywise, an evil being that appears as people's biggest fears, used Matty's image to control the group and bring them deeper into his home. By using the children's darkest feelings and fears, Pennywise can turn into Matty, who is a sign of hope and innocence for the kids.

Matty's death and Pennywise’s manipulation

The tragedy of Matty's death is intertwined with his deepest fears. After his father's abuse, Matty wants a loving family. Pennywise exploits this emotional vulnerability perfectly. Pennywise's warped form convinces the kids that Matty is alive and has escaped the creature.

However, the truth is darker. Pennywise uses Matty's looks to trap others. This illusion plays on the children's optimism and emphasizes Matty's tragedy. Pennywise terrorized Derry's unsuspecting residents after the boy they thought they knew died.

Also Read: How many episodes will there be in IT: Welcome to Derry season 1? Episode count, release schedule, and more

The sewer confrontation

Matty Clements' fate in the series (Image via HBO)

Matty leads Lilly and the Losers Club into Derry's sewers. The youngsters follow Matty, whom they think is their friend, into a scary and dark world, creating tension. The sewers' tight atmosphere heightens discomfort, and as the group descends deeper into the tunnels, they realize something is seriously wrong.

This shows what Pennywise really looks like. The creature, pretending to be Matty, turns into a scary clown, showing that it's a trick. Because Matty was dead the whole time, the Losers Club now has to face the monster that has been controlling them, which makes things more tense.

Also Read: IT: Welcome to Derry creators react to Stephen King's praise

To watch the twists and turns of this series, IT: Welcome to Derry is available to stream on HBO and HBO Max.

Edited by Rajan Bhattacharya