Don't Miss This Iconic Stephen King Film Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment

The series It: Welcome to Derry is packed with references to Stephen King's extensive library of stories. Beyond the obvious links to the original story, the series also features an explicit link to King's famous novel through the cameo of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Now, as the narrative progresses, Welcome to Derry is integrating one more beloved tale from King that deserves a revisit.

The Powerful Story of The Shawshank Redemption

While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered a horror film, especially in contrast with a lot of King's other writing, it remains a gripping tale about an wrongfully convicted man condemned to live his remaining years in a notorious penitentiary. It is this specific institution that becomes central here, since the Shawshank facility holds significant history across King's stories — a tradition that continues in It: Welcome to Derry.

Among the stories which mention Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Via these narratives, we learn regarding the terrible life at Shawshank State Prison and some of the inmates there, including the boyfriend of one belonging to Pennywise's initial targets, who was found guilty of armed robbery.

Thus far, however, the most we've learned concerning Shawshank was via the eyes of the protagonist in Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. Andy winds up at the prison following being wrongly convicted, and experiences assaulted and abused by fellow inmates, and taken advantage of by those in officials in power for his financial knowledge. He requires nearly three decades to tunnel an escape route from Shawshank, prior to crawling "through sewage" to reclaim his freedom.

Shawshank's Appearance in Welcome to Derry

In relation to the series, audiences initially discovered about the prison's inclusion from an early trailer for the show, in which 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 responsible for the child deaths in the first episode, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. A teaser for episode 3, "Now You See It," shows a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what they do to kiddie killers at that prison?"

The Consequences for the Character and Ronnie

Considering that the actual murderer in Derry is a primordial entity from another world hunting and killing children, Hank's chances of clearing his name do not look good. Even should he ends up to Shawshank and the audience don't follow him there, understanding what is known about that prison makes it clear that his experience would not be enjoyable.

Crucially, however, this situation could threaten Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Terrible events are happening in the town that nobody, young or old, comprehends and Ronnie just has her recently formed circle of pals to rely on. She's going to need her dad as the story progresses, however should the prison system has any say, she could be out of luck.

One thing seems clear: Hank lacks three decades to dig his way out.

Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now on HBO Max. New episodes are released each week on Sundays.