You Should Watch This Iconic Stephen King Movie Before It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
HBO's It: Welcome to Derry is packed with references to the author's vast library of stories. Beyond the clear ties to the original story, the series also features a direct connection to King's famous novel via the appearance of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the story unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is integrating another beloved King story that deserves another look.
The Powerful Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, particularly compared to a lot of King's other work, it remains a gripping tale about an wrongfully convicted individual condemned to live the rest of his life in a infamous penitentiary. And it's that very institution which is important here, as Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable history throughout King's fictional world — a pattern which persists in Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories that reference Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these narratives, we discover about the awful life inside Shawshank State Prison plus several of those imprisoned within, including the boyfriend of a of Pennywise's initial targets, who was found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, though, the most we've learned concerning Shawshank has been through the eyes of the protagonist in Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. Andy ends up at the prison after being wrongly convicted, and finds himself assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, while taken advantage of by those in authority figures for his financial knowledge. It takes nearly three decades to dig his way out from Shawshank, prior to crawling "through sewage" to take back his liberty.
The Prison's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, viewers initially discovered about the prison's involvement from an early trailer for the show, where a prison bus was seen with the name painted on the side. During the second episode, we learn who is likely headed to the prison.
Although it is known he was not commit the child deaths in the first episode, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for those offenses. The preview for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," reveals a guard telling Hank in his cell, "Do you know what happens to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for Hank and Ronnie
Considering that the actual murderer in Derry is an ancient power originating elsewhere hunting and murdering kids, Hank's prospects of clearing his name do not look good. Even should he does go in the prison and viewers do not see him inside, understanding what is known about that prison indicates that his time there would not be pleasant.
Crucially, however, this situation would endanger his daughter. Hank is her protector. Terrible events are occurring around Derry that nobody, child or adult, comprehends and she only has her recently formed of friends to depend on. She will require her father in the coming episodes, but if the prison system plays a role, she could be without help.
One thing is apparent: Hank lacks 28 years to dig to freedom.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week on Sundays.
