Don't Miss This Legendary Stephen King Film Prior to the Series' Upcoming Installment
The series It: Welcome to Derry is filled with nods to Stephen King's vast universe of narratives. Beyond the obvious ties to the original story, the show showcases an explicit connection to The Shining via the appearance of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the story progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved King story that deserves another look.
The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption may not be considered a horror film, particularly in contrast with much of King's other writing, it remains a gripping tale about an wrongfully convicted man condemned to live his remaining years in a notorious prison. It is this specific institution that becomes central here, as the Shawshank facility possesses considerable lore throughout King's fictional world — a pattern which persists in It: Welcome to Derry.
Among the tales which mention Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we discover regarding the awful life inside Shawshank State Prison and several of the inmates within, including the partner of one belonging to Pennywise's initial victims, who was convicted of armed robbery.
So far, however, the majority we've learned about the prison has been through the perspective of the protagonist in The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. Andy ends up at the prison following being wrongly convicted, and experiences beaten and abused by other prisoners, and exploited by those in authority figures for his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to tunnel his way out from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through sewage" to take back his liberty.
The Prison's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, viewers initially discovered of Shawshank's involvement via an initial preview for the series, in which a correctional transport appeared bearing the title painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn which character is probably headed to Shawshank.
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 those offenses. A teaser for the next episode, "Now You See It," reveals an officer telling a jailed Hank, "Do you know what they do to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for Hank and His Daughter
Considering that the real murderer in Derry is a primordial entity from another world hunting and murdering children, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he does go to Shawshank and viewers don't follow him inside, understanding what is known regarding Shawshank indicates that his experience would not be pleasant.
Crucially, however, this development would endanger his daughter. Hank is her protector. Horrible things are occurring in the town which no one, young or old, comprehends and Ronnie only has her new group of friends to depend on. She will require her father in the coming episodes, but if the prison system plays a role, she may be without help.
One thing is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available on HBO Max. New episodes are released each week each Sunday.
