Make Time For One Iconic Stephen King Film Before It: Welcome to Derry's Upcoming Installment

The series It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous connections to the author's vast universe of narratives. Beyond the obvious ties to It, the series also features a direct link to The Shining via the cameo of a young future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Now, as the narrative progresses, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in another classic King story which merits another look.

The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption

While The Shawshank Redemption may not be classified as horror, particularly in contrast with much of King's other writing, it is a gripping story of a innocently imprisoned individual sentenced to live the rest of his life in a notorious penitentiary. It is this specific penitentiary that becomes central here, since Shawshank State Prison holds significant lore throughout King's fictional world — a pattern that continues in It: Welcome to Derry.

Among the tales that reference the prison are Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, as well as It. Via these narratives, we discover regarding the terrible life at the state penitentiary and some of those imprisoned within, such as the boyfriend of one belonging to Pennywise's early targets, who was found guilty for robbery with a weapon.

So far, however, the majority we have discovered concerning Shawshank was through the perspective of Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. Andy ends up in Shawshank following being wrongly convicted, then finds himself beaten and abused by other prisoners, while taken advantage of by the authority figures for his expertise in finance. He requires nearly three decades to dig his way out of the prison, prior to crawling "through a river of shit" to take back his freedom.

Shawshank's Role in Welcome to Derry

In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, audiences initially discovered about the prison's inclusion from an early trailer for the show, where a prison bus was seen with the name displayed on its side. During the second episode, it is revealed who is probably headed to Shawshank.

Though we know he did not responsible for the murders of children in the first episode, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), dad to Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for those offenses. The preview for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," reveals an officer telling Hank in his cell, "Are you aware what happens to child murderers at that prison?"

The Implications for Hank and Ronnie

Considering that the real murderer in the town is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and murdering kids, Hank's prospects of proving his innocence do not look good. And even if he ends up in the prison and viewers don't follow him there, knowing what is known regarding Shawshank makes it clear that his experience would be far from pleasant.

More importantly, however, this situation could threaten Ronnie. Hank is her protector. Horrible things are occurring in the town which no one, young or old, understands and Ronnie only has her recently formed of friends to rely on. She will require her dad in the coming episodes, however should Shawshank has any say, she could be without help.

One thing is apparent: Hank lacks three decades to dig to freedom.

It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are streaming now on HBO Max. New episodes are released each week on Sundays.