You Should Watch One Classic Stephen King Movie Before the Series' Upcoming Installment
The series It: Welcome to Derry is packed with nods to the author's extensive collection of tales. Beyond the clear ties to the original story, the show showcases a direct connection to King's famous novel through the cameo of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved tale from King that deserves another look.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, especially compared to a lot of King's other writing, it remains a gripping story of a innocently imprisoned man sentenced to live his remaining years inside a infamous penitentiary. It is this specific institution which is central here, since Shawshank State Prison holds considerable lore across King's fictional world — a pattern which persists in Welcome to Derry.
Some of the stories that reference the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these narratives, we discover about the awful life inside the state penitentiary plus some of the inmates within, including the partner of one of Pennywise's initial targets, who had been found guilty of armed robbery.
So far, though, the most we have discovered concerning Shawshank has been through the perspective of Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. Andy ends up at the prison after being wrongly convicted, and experiences beaten and raped by fellow inmates, and taken advantage of by the officials in power due to his financial knowledge. He requires nearly three decades to tunnel an escape route of the prison, before crawling "through sewage" to take back his freedom.
Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, viewers first learned of Shawshank's inclusion via an initial preview for the series, in which a correctional transport appeared with the name painted on the side. In episode 2, it is revealed who is likely destined for Shawshank.
Although we know he did not responsible for the murders of children in the first episode, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for the crimes. A teaser for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer telling Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what they do to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Consequences for the Character and His Daughter
Considering that the real murderer in Derry is a primordial entity from another world hunting and killing kids, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. Even should he does go to Shawshank and viewers do not see him there, understanding what is known about that prison indicates that his experience would not be enjoyable.
Crucially, however, this situation would endanger his daughter. Hank is her protector. Horrible things are happening around Derry that nobody, child or adult, understands and Ronnie just has her recently formed circle of pals to rely on. She will require her dad as the story progresses, but if Shawshank has any say, she could be without help.
A single fact is apparent: Hank doesn’t have three decades to dig his way out.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available on HBO Max. New episodes are released each week each Sunday.
