Don't Miss This Legendary Stephen King Movie Before It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
The series Welcome to Derry is filled with connections to Stephen King's extensive universe of narratives. Beyond the clear ties to It, the show also features an explicit connection to The Shining via the appearance of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the story unfolds, Welcome to Derry is weaving in another classic King story that deserves a revisit.
The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption
While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as a horror film, particularly compared to much of King's other work, it is a haunting tale about an innocently imprisoned man sentenced to live his remaining years in a infamous prison. It is this specific penitentiary which is important in this context, as Shawshank State Prison possesses considerable lore throughout King's fictional world — a tradition that continues in It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the stories that reference the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these stories, we learn about the terrible conditions at the state penitentiary and some of the inmates within, such as the partner of one belonging to Pennywise's initial victims, who was convicted of armed robbery.
Thus far, though, the majority we have discovered concerning Shawshank was via the perspective of the protagonist from The Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in that 1994 film. Andy winds up in Shawshank after his wrongful conviction, and experiences assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, while taken advantage of by those in officials in power for his financial knowledge. It takes him 28 years to tunnel his way out of the prison, before making his way "through sewage" to reclaim his liberty.
Shawshank's Appearance in Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, audiences initially discovered of Shawshank's involvement via an early trailer for the show, where a prison bus was seen bearing the title displayed on its side. During the second episode, it is revealed which character is likely destined for the prison.
Although it is known he was not commit the murders of children initially, the character Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. A teaser for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," shows a guard telling a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Consequences for Hank and His Daughter
Considering that the actual murderer in Derry is a primordial entity from another world hunting and murdering kids, Hank's chances of proving his innocence do not look good. Even should he ends up in the prison and viewers do not see him there, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his time there would be far from pleasant.
Crucially, however, this situation would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Horrible things are happening in the town that nobody, young or old, understands and Ronnie only has her recently formed circle of pals to depend on. She will require her father in the coming episodes, but if Shawshank has any say, she could be out of luck.
One thing seems clear: 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.
