You Should Watch One Classic Stephen King Movie Before the Series' Upcoming Installment
HBO's Welcome to Derry contains numerous references to Stephen King's extensive library of stories. Beyond the obvious ties to the original story, the show includes an explicit connection to The Shining via the cameo of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the story unfolds, Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more beloved tale from King that deserves another look.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, especially compared to a lot of King's other work, it remains a haunting tale of a wrongfully convicted individual sentenced to spend his remaining years inside a infamous prison. And it's this specific institution that becomes central here, since Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable history across King's stories — a pattern which persists in Welcome to Derry.
Some of the stories that reference Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these stories, we discover about the awful life at the state penitentiary and some of the inmates within, such as the boyfriend of one belonging to Pennywise's initial targets, who was found guilty for robbery with a weapon.
So far, however, the most we've learned about the prison was via the eyes of the protagonist from The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. Andy winds up in Shawshank after his wrongful conviction, then finds himself assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, and exploited by those in officials in power for his financial knowledge. It takes him 28 years to tunnel his way out from Shawshank, before making his way "through sewage" to take back his freedom.
The Prison's Role in It: Welcome to Derry
Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, viewers first learned about the prison's inclusion via an initial preview for the show, in which a correctional transport appeared with the name displayed on its side. In episode 2, it is revealed who is likely headed to the prison.
Although we know he did not commit the child deaths in the first episode, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. The preview for the next episode, "Now You See It," shows a guard informing Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what they do to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"
The Consequences for Hank and His Daughter
Considering that the real killer in Derry is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and murdering children, Hank's prospects of clearing his name do not look good. Even should he does go to Shawshank and viewers do not see him inside, knowing what we do about that prison indicates that his experience would be far from pleasant.
More importantly, though, this situation could threaten his daughter. Hank is her protector. Terrible events are occurring around Derry that nobody, child or adult, understands and she just has her new group 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 out of luck.
A single fact is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to dig to freedom.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are currently available on HBO Max. Additional installments air weekly each Sunday.
