Don't Miss This Classic Stephen King Movie Before the Series' Upcoming Installment
HBO's Welcome to Derry contains numerous references to the author's vast collection of tales. Apart from the obvious links to It, the show also features a direct link to King's famous novel through the cameo of a young Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the story progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved tale from King that deserves a revisit.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
Although The Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as a horror film, especially in contrast with a lot of the author's additional writing, it remains a gripping tale about an innocently imprisoned individual condemned to spend his remaining years in a notorious penitentiary. It is that very institution that becomes central here, as Shawshank State Prison holds considerable lore throughout King's stories — a tradition which persists in It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the tales that reference Shawshank are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these stories, we discover regarding the terrible life inside the state penitentiary and several of those imprisoned within, including the partner of a of Pennywise's initial targets, who had been found guilty of armed robbery.
So far, however, the most we have discovered about the prison was through the perspective of the protagonist from The Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. Andy winds up in Shawshank after being wrongly convicted, and finds himself beaten and abused by fellow inmates, while exploited by the authority figures due to his expertise in finance. He requires nearly three decades to dig his way out of the prison, prior to crawling "through sewage" to reclaim his liberty.
The Prison's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, audiences first learned of Shawshank's inclusion from an initial preview for the show, where a prison bus was seen with the name displayed on its side. During the second episode, we learn who is probably destined for the prison.
Although it is known he did not commit the murders of children in the first episode, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for those offenses. The preview for the next episode, "Now You See It," shows an officer telling a jailed Hank, "Do you know what they do to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Consequences for Hank and His Daughter
Considering that the actual killer in Derry is an ancient power from another world preying on and killing kids, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he does go in the prison and the audience do not see him inside, knowing what is known about that prison makes it clear that his experience would be far from enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this development could threaten Ronnie. Hank is her guardian. Terrible events are happening in the town which no one, child or adult, comprehends and Ronnie just 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 could be without help.
One thing seems clear: Hank lacks 28 years to dig his way out.
Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now on HBO Max. Additional installments are released each week each Sunday.
