It: Welcome to Derry Episode 3’s “Scary” Trailer Connects to Stephen King’s Two Best Works
Episode 3 of It: Welcome to Derry heightens the tension, weaving in direct links to two of Stephen King’s classic stories. The prequel continues to expand the lore surrounding Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård), offering new layers of mystery and context to his terrifying legacy.
“Our review says the show widens the story of the titular town (and clown), alongside the brutal uncompromising violence it inflicts on the entire cast.”
Director Andy Muschietti keeps horror fans engaged with chilling jump scares, visceral imagery, and a growing network of references to King’s wider universe. Episode 3’s trailer stands out for delivering the biggest Easter eggs so far, including connections to two beloved King novels.
Links to The Shining and The Shawshank Redemption
Fans acquainted with King’s work will notice the appearance of Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk), who later becomes the Overlook Hotel’s chef in The Shining. In that story, he discovers Danny Torrance’s psychic gift known as “the shining.”
The teaser implies that the military knows about Hallorann’s abilities and is leveraging them to track down the mysterious entity known as Pennywise. Another subtle nod in the trailer ties the show to The Shawshank Redemption, connecting It: Welcome to Derry even deeper into King’s shared universe.
Author’s Summary
Episode 3 deepens the Stephen King universe by intertwining Pennywise’s origins with characters and themes from The Shining and The Shawshank Redemption, enriching the lore with tension and mystery.