You Should Watch One Classic Stephen King Movie Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment
HBO's Welcome to Derry contains numerous connections to the author's wide-ranging collection of tales. Apart from the clear links to It, the series showcases a direct connection to The Shining through the appearance of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the narrative unfolds, Welcome to Derry is integrating another beloved King story 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 the author's additional writing, it remains a haunting story of a innocently imprisoned man sentenced to live the rest of his life inside a infamous prison. And it's this specific institution which is important here, since the Shawshank facility holds considerable lore across King's stories — a tradition that continues within Welcome to Derry.
Among the stories which mention Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these narratives, we discover regarding the terrible life inside the state penitentiary and some of those imprisoned there, including the partner of one of Pennywise's early targets, who was convicted of armed robbery.
Thus far, however, the majority we have discovered concerning Shawshank was via the perspective of Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. Andy winds up in Shawshank after his wrongful conviction, and finds himself assaulted and raped by other prisoners, while taken advantage of by those in authority figures due to his expertise in finance. He requires nearly three decades to dig his way out from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through sewage" to reclaim his freedom.
Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry
Regarding the series, viewers first learned about the prison's inclusion via an early trailer for the show, in which a prison bus was seen with the name painted on the side. In episode 2, we learn which character is likely headed to the prison.
Though we know he was not responsible for the murders of children initially, the character Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for those offenses. A teaser for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer telling a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers in Shawshank?"
The Implications for Hank and His Daughter
Given that the actual murderer in the town is a primordial entity originating elsewhere hunting and killing children, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he does go to Shawshank and the audience don't follow him there, knowing what we do about that prison makes it clear that his experience would not be enjoyable.
Crucially, though, this development could threaten Ronnie. Hank is her protector. Terrible events are occurring around Derry which no one, young or old, comprehends and she just has her new group circle of pals to depend on. She will require her dad in the coming episodes, but if the prison system plays a role, she could be out of luck.
One thing seems clear: Hank lacks 28 years to tunnel to freedom.
It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available via the streaming service. New episodes are released each week on Sundays.
