Don't Miss One Classic Stephen King Movie Prior to the Series' Upcoming Installment

HBO's It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous nods to Stephen King's extensive library of stories. Apart from the obvious ties to the original story, the series also features a direct connection to The Shining via the appearance of the youthful future chef of the Overlook Hotel. Currently, as the story progresses, Welcome to Derry is integrating one more beloved King story which merits another look.

The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption

While Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, especially in contrast with a lot of King's other writing, it is a haunting tale of a innocently imprisoned individual sentenced to live the rest of his life inside a notorious prison. And it's that very institution that becomes central here, as the Shawshank facility possesses considerable history across King's stories — a pattern that continues within Welcome to Derry.

Among the stories that reference Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these stories, we discover regarding the terrible life at Shawshank State Prison plus some of those imprisoned within, including the boyfriend of one of Pennywise's initial targets, who was convicted of armed robbery.

So far, however, the most we've learned concerning Shawshank was through the perspective of Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, played by the actor Tim Robbins in the 1994 movie. The character Andy ends up in Shawshank following his wrongful conviction, then finds himself beaten and raped by fellow inmates, and exploited by those in officials in power due to his expertise in finance. It takes nearly three decades to dig an escape route of the prison, before making his way "through sewage" to reclaim his liberty.

Shawshank's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry

In relation to It: Welcome to Derry, viewers first learned about the prison's involvement from an initial preview for the show, in which a prison bus was seen with the name painted on the side. During the second episode, it is revealed who is probably destined for Shawshank.

Although we know he was not responsible for the murders of children initially, Hank Grogan (Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), is arrested for those offenses. The preview for episode 3, "the upcoming installment," shows an officer informing a jailed Hank, "Do you know what they do to kiddie killers at that prison?"

The Consequences for the Character and Ronnie

Considering that the actual murderer in Derry is an ancient power from another world hunting and murdering kids, Hank's prospects of clearing his name do not look good. And even if he does go to Shawshank and the audience do not see him there, knowing what is known about that prison makes it clear that his time there would be far from pleasant.

More importantly, however, this situation could threaten Ronnie. He acts as her guardian. Horrible things are occurring around Derry that nobody, child or adult, understands and she just has her new group circle of pals to depend on. She will require her father as the story progresses, however should Shawshank plays a role, she could be without help.

A single fact is apparent: Hank lacks 28 years to dig to freedom.

It: Welcome to Derry the first two episodes are currently available via the streaming service. Additional installments are released each week each Sunday.