Stranger Things’ ‘Sorcerer’ Episode Had Me Convinced We’d See A Gross Reference To Shawshank Redemption, But That’s My Bad

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Okay, huge warning here if you haven’t caught the first four episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 on Netflix – I’m about to dive into some serious spoilers! And, honestly, if you haven’t seen The Shawshank Redemption yet… well, that’s a shock, and I’m about to spoil that too, just in case!

The first four episodes of the final season of Stranger Things were a huge hit, setting up what looks like a major showdown, especially for the villains who are kidnapping kids. The fourth season, particularly the episode “Sorcerer,” surprised viewers by bringing back Kali/Eight from Season 2, giving Max (played by Sadie Sink) a bigger role, and transforming the character Derek Turnbow into a fan favorite. However, despite expecting it, the episode didn’t include a reference to The Shawshank Redemption.

I’ll explain my prediction further down, but I honestly thought Finn Wolfhard’s character, Mike, would end up covered in something messy at some point. I know it sounds like a strange and maybe even inappropriate guess for a TV show. Looking back, it does seem a little ridiculous, but I’m still disappointed nobody used this idea for a funny, gross surprise. Let’s examine the reasons why I thought this would happen!

Clue #1: Frank Darabont’s A Major Part Of Stranger Things Season 5

It’s easy to see a connection between The Shawshank Redemption and Stranger Things because of the talented director, Frank Darabont. Besides his work on The Walking Dead (before a disagreement led to his departure), Darabont is known for making some of the best movies based on Stephen King’s stories, and Shawshank is definitely one of them.

He hadn’t directed any films or TV shows since the short-lived 2013 series Mob City, but Matt and Ross Duffer convinced him to direct two episodes of the final, extended season. Besides the Duffers and producer Shawn Levy, Darabont was the only additional director involved in completing the season.

Just to clarify, Frank Darabont didn’t direct the episode titled “Sorceror.” He directed the third and fifth episodes (which haven’t been released yet), while the Duffer brothers directed the fourth. But that actually makes me think a reference to his earlier work was more probable, because Darabont seems like someone who wouldn’t make such a self-referential, playful nod. It’s easier to picture the Duffer brothers including that kind of detail themselves.

Clue #2: It’s A Tunnel Escape In A Show That Vibes Hard On Stephen King

While predicting future storylines is difficult, it’s worth remembering that the creators of Stranger Things have always been heavily influenced by Stephen King. We can easily see the horror influences, but it’s also likely they appreciate King’s more character-driven work, like Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption – originally published in the collection Different Seasons. Frank Darabont, who famously adapted Shawshank, wasn’t involved in the recent seasons of Stranger Things, but the connection still feels plausible.

This episode features a breakout—though it’s not from a traditional jail—and includes underground tunnels. Robin pointed out the connection to The Great Escape, and explained it well, but I still thought it was a red herring. I believed there was a different movie the show was really referencing.

Clue #3: Mike’s Reaction To Multiple Incidents Was Some Form Of “Shit”

Finn Wolfhard’s character said the word “shit” repeatedly in the Stranger Things episode “Sorcerer.” It happened at least three times whenever something went wrong, and it seemed like more than usual compared to other episodes.

The moment Mike and Lucas began leading kids through the tunnels, away from the government facility, Finn Wolfhard’s character noticed the bathroom pipes were about to break. That really should have been the clear sign of what was happening.

My Misguided Prediction: Mike Would Get Covered In Poop During The Escape, Andy Dufresne-Style

Considering everything that was happening, I anticipated a bizarre turn of events, similar to the movie Beetlejuice, where repeatedly saying a taboo word could somehow make it real. I figured we’d see a lot of plumbing problems, resulting in Mike – and maybe all the escaped prisoners – being completely covered in messy, unpleasant waste.

As a film buff, one scene that always sticks with me is the climax of The Shawshank Redemption. Seeing Andy Dufresne crawl through that… well, let’s just say incredibly unpleasant sewer pipe before finally bursting out into the rain is just pure cinematic catharsis. It’s such a powerful image of being cleansed and reborn. While I don’t think you’d get that same level of emotional release with the characters from Stranger Things, I did have a funny thought: wouldn’t it be hilarious – and a little shocking – to see some of those actors covered in fake… you know… for a scene?

I’m going to assume the show’s creators, the Duffers, intended to include that reference, but were talked out of it by Frank Darabont. If not, maybe it was filmed but ultimately cut from the final version. I really don’t want to consider the possibility that I’m mistaken about it all.

The final season of Stranger Things will continue with three new episodes dropping on Thursday, December 25th, bringing a strong finish to the 2025 TV year.

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2025-12-18 14:09