Don't Miss This Iconic Stephen King Movie Prior to It: Welcome to Derry's Next Episode

The series It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous nods to Stephen King's extensive universe of narratives. Beyond the obvious links to It, the show also features an explicit connection to King's famous novel through the appearance of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Currently, as the story progresses, Welcome to Derry is weaving in another beloved tale from King which merits another look.

The Haunting Story of The Shawshank Redemption

While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically classified as horror, particularly compared to a lot of King's other work, it remains a gripping story of a wrongfully convicted man sentenced to spend his remaining years in a notorious prison. It is that very penitentiary that becomes important here, as the Shawshank facility holds considerable history across King's fictional world — a tradition that continues in Welcome to Derry.

Some of the stories that reference the prison include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Through these stories, we learn regarding the terrible life at Shawshank State Prison and some of the inmates there, 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 have discovered about the prison was via the perspective of Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption, played by Tim Robbins in the 1994 film. The character Andy winds up at the prison following his wrongful conviction, and finds himself assaulted and raped by other prisoners, and taken advantage of by the authority figures for his financial knowledge. He requires him 28 years to tunnel his way out from Shawshank, prior to making his way "through a river of shit" to reclaim his freedom.

Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry

Regarding It: Welcome to Derry, audiences first learned about the prison's inclusion from an early trailer for the series, where a prison bus appeared bearing the title painted on the side. In episode 2, it is revealed which character is likely destined for the prison.

Though we know he did not commit the murders of children in the first episode, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. The preview for the next episode, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer informing a jailed Hank, "Are you aware what happens to kiddie killers in Shawshank?"

The Implications for the Character and His Daughter

Given that the real murderer in Derry is an ancient power from another world preying on and killing kids, Hank's chances of clearing his name appear slim. Even should he does go in the prison and viewers do not see him there, understanding what we do regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would not be enjoyable.

More importantly, though, this situation would endanger Ronnie. Hank is her guardian. Terrible events are happening around Derry that nobody, young or old, comprehends and Ronnie only has her new group of friends to depend on. She will require her dad in the coming episodes, but if the prison system has any say, she could be without help.

A single fact is apparent: Hank doesn’t have 28 years to tunnel his way out.

It: Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly on Sundays.