Make Time For This Classic Stephen King Movie Before the Series' Upcoming Installment
HBO's Welcome to Derry contains numerous references to the author's vast library of stories. Apart from the obvious links to the original story, the series showcases an explicit link to The Shining through the cameo of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story unfolds, Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more classic King story which merits a revisit.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as a horror film, especially in contrast with a lot of King's other work, it remains a haunting tale about an innocently imprisoned man sentenced to spend the rest of his life in a notorious penitentiary. And it's this specific penitentiary which is central in this context, as the Shawshank facility possesses considerable lore across King's fictional world — a tradition which persists in It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales that reference the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these stories, we discover about the terrible life inside the state penitentiary and several of those imprisoned within, such as the boyfriend of one of Pennywise's early targets, who had been found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
Thus far, though, the majority we have discovered about the prison has been via the eyes of the protagonist in The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. Andy ends up at the prison following being wrongly convicted, then finds himself beaten and abused by other prisoners, while taken advantage of by the authority figures for his financial knowledge. It takes him 28 years to dig an escape route from Shawshank, before crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his freedom.
The Prison's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, audiences initially discovered about the prison's involvement from an initial preview for the show, where a prison bus appeared with the name displayed on its side. In episode 2, we learn who is likely headed to the prison.
Though it is known he was not commit the child deaths initially, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for those offenses. A teaser for the next episode, "Now You See It," shows a guard informing Hank in his cell, "Do you know what happens to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for Hank and Ronnie
Given that the real murderer in the town is an ancient power originating elsewhere hunting and murdering children, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he ends up in the prison and viewers don't follow him there, knowing what is known about that prison makes it clear that his experience would be far from pleasant.
Crucially, though, this situation would endanger his daughter. Hank is her protector. Terrible events are occurring in the town that nobody, child or adult, comprehends and she just has her recently formed of friends to rely on. She's going to need her father as the story progresses, but if Shawshank plays a role, she could be without help.
One thing is apparent: Hank lacks 28 years to tunnel his way out.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week each Sunday.
