Don't Miss This Iconic Stephen King Movie Before the Series' Next Episode
The series It: Welcome to Derry is packed with references to the author's vast library of stories. Beyond the clear links to It, the show showcases a direct link to The Shining via the cameo of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the story unfolds, Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved tale from King that deserves a revisit.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as horror, particularly compared to much of King's other work, it remains a haunting tale about an wrongfully convicted individual condemned to live the rest of his life in a notorious penitentiary. It is this specific penitentiary which is important here, since the Shawshank facility possesses significant lore across King's fictional world — a pattern which persists within Welcome to Derry.
Some of the stories that reference Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we discover about the awful conditions at the state penitentiary and some of the inmates there, such as the partner of one belonging to Pennywise's early targets, who had been found guilty of armed robbery.
Thus far, however, the most we have discovered about the prison was via the perspective of Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. Andy ends up in Shawshank following his wrongful conviction, and experiences assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, while taken advantage of by those in officials in power for his financial knowledge. It takes him 28 years to tunnel an escape route from Shawshank, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his liberty.
The Prison's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, viewers initially discovered of Shawshank's involvement via an initial preview for the series, where a correctional transport appeared with the name displayed on its side. During the second episode, we learn who is likely destined for the prison.
Although we know he was not commit the murders of children initially, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. The preview for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer telling Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for Hank and Ronnie
Considering that the real murderer in Derry is a primordial entity originating elsewhere hunting and killing kids, Hank's chances of proving his innocence appear slim. Even should he does go in the prison and viewers don't follow him there, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would be far from enjoyable.
More importantly, however, this situation could threaten his daughter. He acts as her guardian. Terrible events are happening around Derry that nobody, child or adult, understands and she only has her recently formed of friends to depend on. She will require her father as the story progresses, however should Shawshank has any say, she could be out of luck.
A single fact is apparent: Hank doesn’t have three decades to dig his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now on HBO Max. Additional installments air weekly on Sundays.