Don't Miss This Iconic Stephen King Movie Before It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
HBO's It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous connections to the author's extensive collection of tales. Beyond the clear links to the original story, the show also features a direct link to King's famous novel through the cameo of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating one more beloved tale from King which merits another look.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered a horror film, particularly in contrast with a lot of the author's additional work, it is a gripping story of a innocently imprisoned man condemned to live his remaining years inside a infamous penitentiary. And it's this specific penitentiary that becomes important in this context, since the Shawshank facility holds considerable history across King's fictional world — a tradition which persists in It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales that reference Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these narratives, we learn regarding the awful conditions inside Shawshank State Prison plus several of the inmates there, such as the partner of a of Pennywise's early targets, who was found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, though, the majority we've learned concerning Shawshank has been through the eyes of the protagonist in The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. The character Andy ends up at the prison following his wrongful conviction, and finds himself beaten and raped by other prisoners, while taken advantage of by those in authority figures due to his financial knowledge. It takes nearly three decades to dig an escape route of the prison, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to reclaim his freedom.
The Prison's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, viewers initially discovered of Shawshank's inclusion via an early trailer for the series, in which a correctional transport was seen with the name painted on the side. During the second episode, it is revealed who is probably headed to Shawshank.
Though it is known he was not commit the child deaths in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. A teaser for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," shows an officer telling a jailed Hank, "Do you know what they do to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for the Character and Ronnie
Considering that the real killer in Derry is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and murdering kids, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he ends up in the prison and viewers don't follow him inside, understanding what is known regarding Shawshank indicates that his experience would not be pleasant.
Crucially, however, this situation could threaten his daughter. Hank is her protector. Horrible things are occurring around Derry that nobody, child or adult, understands and Ronnie only has her new group circle of pals to rely on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, however should Shawshank plays a role, she may be without help.
One thing is apparent: Hank lacks 28 years to dig to freedom.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available via the streaming service. New episodes are released each week on Sundays.
