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People In Sydney Are Creeped Out By Red Balloons That Suddenly Appeared Around The City
People In Sydney Are Creeped Out By Red Balloons That Suddenly Appeared Around The City
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People In Sydney Are Creeped Out By Red Balloons That Suddenly Appeared Around The City

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“It is closer than you think,” reads a chilling message spray-painted on a sidewalk in Sydney, Australia. An eerie red balloon floats above it, tied to a nearby sewer grate. If this sounds like the beginning of a Stephen King novel to you, then you’re partially right.

The unsettling display, which can now be found at various locations across the city, is a promo campaign for It, the new horror film based on King’s novel of the same name. The red balloons are a sinister reference to the movie’s sewer-dwelling signature villain, Pennywise the Dancing Clown, and the tactics he uses to lure children. It stars Bill Skarsgård as the menacing clown, and is set to premier in Australia on September 7th.

Though the balloons have been revealed as nothing more than a clever publicity stunt, Sydney residents are still a little creeped out by them, and have taken to Twitter to express a whole lot of “nope.” See them for yourself below, find out how people are reacting, and let us know if you’re planning to catch It in theaters next week.

RELATED:

    These creepy red balloons are popping up all over Sydney, Australia

    creepy-red-balloons-all-over-sydney-coverimage

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    Image credits: Thomasgskinner

    They are always tied to a string above a sewer gate

    creepy-red-balloons-all-over-sydney-10

    Image credits: DianaDJ7

    Why are they here? Who did this?

    Image credits: mumbrella

    Sydney residents are understandably spooked by their eerie presence, and expressed it on Twitter

    Image credits: elliot.parkin

    It turns out that the balloons are actually a clever promo for the It movie’s premier, which is headed to theaters next week

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    Image credits: jmbeveridge

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    Image credits: AdamPDallas

    Image credits: mrglassesagency

    Image credits: syfyau

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    Image credits: Warner Bros. Pictures

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    Bill Skarsgård stars as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, the film’s iconic main villain

    Image credits: Moviefone

    Watch the chilling trailer below, and let us know if you’re planning to see it on the big screen

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    Stella

    Stella

    Author, Community member

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    Stella

    Stella

    Author, Community member

    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

    What do you think ?
    CatShatBrix
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If It was real, he would come right now and slam my face into the keyioe apewpihgsiua34bhgt

    Aunt Messy
    Community Member
    Premium
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the sign of a VERY successful novel. Two generations of people now associate red balloons and clowns with a VERY scary story. If I were Stephen King, I'd be dancing in the streets to know that something I wrote affected so many people. ... And I'm afraid I won't bother with the new movie. There is no Pennywise that isn't Tim Curry. He was TERRIFYING.

    Louiiiise
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, same here. Even if the new actor does a good job, I can never erase Tim Curry from my mind. He's the one and only Pennywise! The whole balloon advertising is brilliant though.

    Load More Replies...
    wolf._.envy
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i'll bet only a few people have actually read the book. 🙄

    Miss.Tre.
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I read it when I was 12. Wish I hadn't!! Waaaay more scary and disturbing than the movie!!!

    Load More Replies...
    SusanS
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People enjoy "freaking out" on social media far too much. It's rather annoying. How many are really *that* gullible and how many are just attention seeking sheep?

    I am your fan
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who the f**k would be creeped out by balloons tied to sewer??

    SusanS
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mindless sheep looking for attention.

    Load More Replies...
    Kimberley Roberts
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ERm... of course it was a promotion... DUH!

    Hayley Lightcap
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They actually had this in London when I went, for Suicide Squad.

    alexa_bessee
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ok, the little kid in the RainCoat, I think his name is Georgie(?). I saw that picture, and immediately thought it was Six from Little Nightmares.

    Pobin Rice
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Doubt it all very much. Not scare at all

    Allana Rose
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've just watched the original Movie so I will not be watching the new one. I hate clowns!

    Sanchit Jain
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would ride around the town pin pricking each and every balloon!

    Willie D'Kay
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "balloons are popping"... excellent choice of words for the title. :)

    WhiteFox
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i haven't seen any around even though i live in sydney australia

    Derpicorn
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is awesome but I am NOT seeing the movie... I hope... my dad might be taking me anyway... 😰🤞 fingers crossed I don't like horror movies 👎👎👎👎👎👎

    Blue Hippo
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just watched the movie tonight....nooooooo ahhhhhhhhhh red balloons! Please no clowns.... Ahhhhhhhhhh another red balloon!

    Audrey Gauci
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    See’s a very creepy clown in the sewer holding his paper boat. Reaches in to grab it

    Lu
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The original was terrifying but The Shining still messes with my head to this day.

    BREAK YOUr perceptions
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    2 thoughts, 1, i hope those balloons are bio degradable because you KNOW even if someone comes to pick them up later, some are going to pop before then and make it into the sewer drain. 2, im somewhat surprised the Australian government allowed this since they are so very tight up about violent video games.

    zajum
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    just as Gerald implied I am in shock that a person able to earn $7711 in 1 month on the computer . see more●▬▬▬▬ஜhttp://PayHome7.comஜ▬▬▬▬●

    CatShatBrix
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If It was real, he would come right now and slam my face into the keyioe apewpihgsiua34bhgt

    Aunt Messy
    Community Member
    Premium
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the sign of a VERY successful novel. Two generations of people now associate red balloons and clowns with a VERY scary story. If I were Stephen King, I'd be dancing in the streets to know that something I wrote affected so many people. ... And I'm afraid I won't bother with the new movie. There is no Pennywise that isn't Tim Curry. He was TERRIFYING.

    Louiiiise
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, same here. Even if the new actor does a good job, I can never erase Tim Curry from my mind. He's the one and only Pennywise! The whole balloon advertising is brilliant though.

    Load More Replies...
    wolf._.envy
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i'll bet only a few people have actually read the book. 🙄

    Miss.Tre.
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I read it when I was 12. Wish I hadn't!! Waaaay more scary and disturbing than the movie!!!

    Load More Replies...
    SusanS
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People enjoy "freaking out" on social media far too much. It's rather annoying. How many are really *that* gullible and how many are just attention seeking sheep?

    I am your fan
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who the f**k would be creeped out by balloons tied to sewer??

    SusanS
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mindless sheep looking for attention.

    Load More Replies...
    Kimberley Roberts
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ERm... of course it was a promotion... DUH!

    Hayley Lightcap
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They actually had this in London when I went, for Suicide Squad.

    alexa_bessee
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ok, the little kid in the RainCoat, I think his name is Georgie(?). I saw that picture, and immediately thought it was Six from Little Nightmares.

    Pobin Rice
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Doubt it all very much. Not scare at all

    Allana Rose
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've just watched the original Movie so I will not be watching the new one. I hate clowns!

    Sanchit Jain
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would ride around the town pin pricking each and every balloon!

    Willie D'Kay
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "balloons are popping"... excellent choice of words for the title. :)

    WhiteFox
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i haven't seen any around even though i live in sydney australia

    Derpicorn
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is awesome but I am NOT seeing the movie... I hope... my dad might be taking me anyway... 😰🤞 fingers crossed I don't like horror movies 👎👎👎👎👎👎

    Blue Hippo
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just watched the movie tonight....nooooooo ahhhhhhhhhh red balloons! Please no clowns.... Ahhhhhhhhhh another red balloon!

    Audrey Gauci
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    See’s a very creepy clown in the sewer holding his paper boat. Reaches in to grab it

    Lu
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The original was terrifying but The Shining still messes with my head to this day.

    BREAK YOUr perceptions
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    2 thoughts, 1, i hope those balloons are bio degradable because you KNOW even if someone comes to pick them up later, some are going to pop before then and make it into the sewer drain. 2, im somewhat surprised the Australian government allowed this since they are so very tight up about violent video games.

    zajum
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    just as Gerald implied I am in shock that a person able to earn $7711 in 1 month on the computer . see more●▬▬▬▬ஜhttp://PayHome7.comஜ▬▬▬▬●

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