You Should Watch This Iconic Stephen King Film Prior to the Series' Upcoming Installment
The series Welcome to Derry is packed with references to the author's wide-ranging universe of narratives. Beyond the obvious ties to It, the show also features an explicit connection to King's famous novel via the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Now, as the narrative unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more beloved King story that deserves another look.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, particularly compared to much of King's other work, it is a gripping tale about an innocently imprisoned individual condemned to spend the rest of his life inside a infamous penitentiary. And it's that very penitentiary which is central in this context, as the Shawshank facility holds significant lore throughout King's fictional world — a pattern which persists within Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales which mention the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these narratives, we discover about the terrible conditions at Shawshank State Prison and some of the inmates within, including the partner of one of Pennywise's early targets, who was found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
So far, though, the most we've learned about the prison has been through the perspective of Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. The character Andy winds up in Shawshank after his wrongful conviction, then finds himself assaulted and abused by other prisoners, and exploited by the authority figures due to his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to tunnel an escape route from Shawshank, before making his way "through a river of shit" to reclaim his freedom.
Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, viewers first learned of Shawshank's inclusion from an initial preview for the show, where a correctional transport was seen bearing the title painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn who is likely headed to Shawshank.
Though we know he did not commit the murders of children in the first episode, Hank Grogan (played by 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 Hank in his cell, "Do you know what happens to child murderers at that prison?"
The Consequences for Hank and Ronnie
Considering that the real killer in the town is a primordial entity originating elsewhere hunting and murdering children, Hank's prospects of clearing his name appear slim. And even if he does go in the prison and the audience don't follow him inside, knowing what we do regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his time there would not be pleasant.
Crucially, however, this development could threaten his daughter. Hank is her protector. Horrible things are occurring around Derry which no one, young or old, comprehends and she only has her recently formed circle of pals to rely on. She will require her dad in the coming episodes, but if Shawshank has any say, she may be out of luck.
A single fact seems clear: Hank doesn’t have three decades to dig his way out.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.
