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Pennywise's impact on the young residents of the Derry series molds them long into adulthood, twisting them into the exact individuals who perpetuate the community's pattern of animosity ongoing. The creature finds easy targets on children from fractured households — children who often mature to repeat the same patterns as their parents. But, the Hanlon household distinguishes itself as one of the few family unit that never splinters, which may explain why Mike Hanlon, even after electing to remain in the town, remains the sole member who never fully falls under Pennywise's sway.

The Hanlon Family's Distinctive Resilience

In episode 4 of the series, Leroy Hanlon at last grows more aware of the supernatural forces surrounding the neighborhood, especially when the entity starts haunting his son, Will Hanlon, during their fishing trip. The Hanlon clan comprises some of the few grown-ups who are aware that things are not right with the municipality, notably Leroy, who was shown to be receptive to psychic abilities when he was able to detect a fellow psychic's use of it in episode 3. Subsequently, Leroy sees one of Pennywise's signature balloons outside his residence. This gift, coupled with his inability to experience terror, combined with the base of his family, could be why he's able to see Pennywise's hauntings. However, consider if that psychic sensitivity is hereditary, and a key factor Mike is among the few adults in Derry who didn't lose themselves to the town's malevolence?

The boy is part of the group of children at his school being terrorized by the clown. His classmates hail from broken homes, with caregivers who don't believe they're being haunted. The reason he is being pursued is because of the viciousness of the town, combined with his likely receptiveness to shine, which makes him susceptible. This family are ultimately outsiders in Derry during 1962, which contributes towards the family sensing anomalies exist about the locality from the onset. Additionally, they possess a solid base that remains unbroken, in contrast to the folks who originate in the area, with bonds that have deteriorated internally.

Backstory Connections

Based on the original book, we know the juvenile Will Hanlon will find himself at the Black Spot, where Hallorann will save him from a fire that the local KKK members of the community will cause. In the recent film, we see that Will has a boy named Mike and that the father ultimately dies in a fire, with Leroy surviving his own child and adopting his grandchild. The public account in the motion picture is that Mike's parents were on substances, but now that we see Will in the series, that's hard to believe. Perhaps the shy boy, once he became an adult, turned to drink to rid himself of the hauntings, or perhaps the rotten town affected him first, with the KKK ultimately finishing the task it began years ago. Be it via the terror of the entity or via the cruelty of the town, seeded by It, It eventually gets the final victory on Will.

Leroy's Transformation

This chain of events would explain how the elder Hanlon changes so drastically from what we witness in It: Chapter 1 and Welcome to Derry. In his later years, Leroy appears resentful and much harsher with his parenting. Since he outlived his own offspring, it's understandable to see such a drastic change. However, his words carry more weight now that we know he's seen Pennywise's hauntings and the impacts they wrought upon his child. In the opening scene of the movie, we see Mike pause to use a stunning device on a animal at Leroy's farm. Leroy chastises him for delaying and provides an analogy that results in a survival-of-the-fittest situation.

“You have two options you can be in this world. You can be in the open like we are, or you can be trapped inside,” he says as he gestures to the creature. “You dawdle hemming and hawing, and another is going to decide for you. Except you will be unaware it until you experience that bolt in your head.”

Looking back, this could represent a piece of prediction, a lesson he regrets not imparting to his own child. Perhaps he wishes he had acted differently in his youth, but for certain factors, he couldn't resist the repellent allure of Derry.