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The clown's influence on the children of the Derry series molds them throughout their adult lives, transforming them into the exact individuals who keep the town's pattern of animosity alive. The creature preys most easily on kids from fractured households — children who frequently mature to repeat the same patterns as their parents. However, the Hanlon family stands apart as one of the few households that remains intact, which could clarify why Mike Hanlon, even after electing to remain in the town, remains the sole member who doesn't completely succumb under the clown's influence.

Hanlon Household's Distinctive Resistance

In the fourth installment of the series, Leroy finally becomes more aware of the supernatural forces surrounding the community, especially when It begins tormenting his son, Will Hanlon, during their angling excursion. The Hanlon family consists of some of the few adults who are cognizant that something is amiss with the town, notably the father, who was shown to be sensitive to the Shining when he was capable of sensing Dick Hallorann's use of it in the third episode. Later, he sees one of Pennywise's signature inflated orbs outside his house. This gift, alongside his failure to experience terror, combined with the foundation of his household, could be why he's able to see the entity's manifestations. However, consider if that shining is generational, and a key factor Mike is among the few individuals in Derry who didn't lose themselves to the town's malevolence?

The boy is a member of the collective of children at his school being tormented by the clown. All his school friends hail from broken homes, with parents who refuse to accept they're being targeted. The reason Will is being pursued is because of the cruelty of the community, paired with his likely receptiveness to psychic abilities, which renders him vulnerable. This family are ultimately outsiders in Derry during the early sixties, which contributes towards the household feeling anomalies exist about the town from the onset. Additionally, they possess a good foundation that isn't fractured, in contrast to the residents who originate in the area, with relationships that have decayed internally.

Historical Context

Based on the original book, we understand the juvenile Will will end up at the infamous nightclub, where the psychic will rescue him from a fire that the town bigots of the community will ignite. In the recent film, we observe that Will has a son named Mike and that the father eventually perishes in a fire, with Leroy surviving his own child and adopting his grandchild. The public account in the film is that the parents were on drugs, but given our current view of him in Welcome to Derry, that's hard to believe. Maybe the timid youth, once he grew up, leaned into drink to rid himself of the hauntings, or maybe the rotten environment affected him first, with the hate group ultimately finishing the job it began long before. Whether through the fear of the entity or through the malice of the community, seeded by It, the creature eventually gets the final victory on him.

Leroy's Transformation

These occurrences would clarify how the elder Hanlon transforms so radically from what we see in the first film and Welcome to Derry. In his later years, Leroy appears resentful and much harsher with his discipline. Because he survived his own son, it's understandable to see such a drastic change. However, his statements hold greater significance now that we know he's witnessed the clown's activities and the impacts they wrought upon his child. In the opening scene of the movie, we see Mike pause to use a bolt gun on a animal at Leroy's farm. Leroy reprimands him for hesitating and provides an metaphor that leads to a kill-or-be-killed scenario.

“You have two options you can be in this existence. You can be in the open like us, or you can be trapped inside,” he states as he points to the creature. “You dawdle indecisive, and someone is going to decide for you. Except you won't know it until you experience that projectile between your eyes.”

In hindsight, this could represent a bit of prediction, a lesson he wishes he had told his own child. Perhaps he wishes he had acted differently in his past, but for certain factors, he was unable to avoid the repellent attraction of Derry.