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Pennywise's influence on the children of the Derry series molds them long into adulthood, transforming them into the very adults who perpetuate the town's cycle of hatred ongoing. The creature preys most easily on kids from broken homes — youngsters who frequently grow up to repeat the identical behaviors as their parents. However, the Hanlon household stands apart as a rare example of a households that remains intact, which may explain why Mike, even after choosing to stay in Derry, persists as the only Loser who never fully falls under Pennywise's sway.

Hanlon Household's Distinctive Resistance

In the fourth installment of the series, Leroy at last grows more aware of the supernatural forces enveloping the community, especially when It starts haunting his child, Will Hanlon, during their angling excursion. The Hanlon clan comprises some of the few adults who are aware that things are not right with the municipality, especially the father, who was revealed to be sensitive to psychic abilities when he was able to detect a fellow psychic's employment of it in the third episode. Subsequently, Leroy spots one of the clown's trademark balloons outside his residence. The ability, alongside his inability to feel fear, combined with the foundation of his family, could be why he's capable of perceiving Pennywise's hauntings. However, consider if that psychic sensitivity is generational, and a key factor Mike is among the few adults in the town who resisted succumbing to the town's malevolence?

Will is part of the collective of kids at his school being tormented by Pennywise. His classmates hail from broken homes, with caregivers who refuse to accept they're being targeted. The reason Will is being haunted is because of the cruelty of the town, combined with his likely receptiveness to psychic abilities, which renders him vulnerable. The Hanlons are fundamentally strangers in the town during 1962, which contributes towards the household sensing anomalies exist about the town from the onset. They also have a good foundation that remains unbroken, unlike the residents who come from the area, with bonds that have deteriorated internally.

Historical Context

Drawing from the original book, we understand the young Will Hanlon will end up at the Black Spot, where Hallorann will save him from a blaze that the town bigots of the community will ignite. In the recent movie, we see that Will has a son named Mike and that Will eventually perishes in a fire, with his father surviving his own son and adopting his grandchild. The official story in the motion picture is that Mike's parents were on substances, but now that we see him in Welcome to Derry, that's hard to believe. Perhaps the timid youth, once he became an adult, turned to alcohol to free himself of the hauntings, or perhaps the corrupt environment affected him initially, with the KKK ultimately completing the task it began years ago. Whether through the fear of the entity or via the cruelty of the town, instigated by Pennywise, It eventually achieves the last laugh on him.

The Father's Evolution

These occurrences would clarify how Leroy changes so radically from what we see in the first film and the prequel. In his older age, he appears resentful and much stricter with his discipline. Because he outlived his own offspring, it's understandable to observe such a drastic change. However, his words hold greater significance since we are aware he's witnessed Pennywise's hauntings and the impacts they wrought upon his child. In the opening scene of It, we see Mike hesitate to use a stunning device on a sheep at Leroy's farm. His grandfather reprimands him for hesitating and provides an metaphor that results in a kill-or-be-killed situation.

“There are two places you can be in this world. You can be out here like we are, or you can be trapped inside,” Leroy states as he points to the creature. “You waste time hemming and hawing, and someone is going to decide for you. Except you will be unaware it until you feel that projectile between your eyes.”

Looking back, this could represent a piece of prediction, a lesson he wishes he had told his own son. Maybe he wishes he had done something in his youth, but for certain factors, he couldn't resist the repellent attraction of Derry.