Make Time For This Legendary Stephen King Film Prior to the Series' Upcoming Installment
HBO's It: Welcome to Derry is filled with connections to the author's vast universe of narratives. Beyond the clear links to the original story, the series includes an explicit connection to The Shining through the appearance of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved King story which merits a revisit.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption may not be considered a horror film, particularly compared to a lot of King's other writing, it remains a gripping tale of a innocently imprisoned individual condemned to live the rest of his life in a infamous penitentiary. It is this specific penitentiary that becomes important here, as Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable lore across King's stories — a pattern which persists within It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales that reference the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these stories, we learn about the awful life inside Shawshank State Prison and several of the inmates within, including the partner of a of Pennywise's early targets, who was found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, however, the majority we have discovered about the prison has been via the perspective of the protagonist in Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. Andy ends up in Shawshank following his wrongful conviction, and finds himself assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, while taken advantage of by the officials in power due to his expertise in finance. It takes him 28 years to tunnel an escape route from Shawshank, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his freedom.
Shawshank's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, audiences initially discovered about the prison's involvement via an early trailer for the series, in which a prison bus appeared with the name displayed on its side. In episode 2, it is revealed who is likely headed to the prison.
Though it is known he was not responsible for the murders of children in the first episode, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. The preview for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer telling a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what they do to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Consequences for Hank and Ronnie
Given that the actual killer in Derry is an ancient power from another world hunting and murdering kids, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he does go in the prison and the audience do not see him there, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would be far from enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this situation would endanger Ronnie. Hank is her protector. Terrible events are occurring in the town which no one, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie just has her new group of friends to depend on. She's going to need her father in the coming episodes, however should the prison system plays a role, she could be out of luck.
A single fact seems clear: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel to freedom.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now via the streaming service. New episodes are released each week on Sundays.
