7. The Shawshank Redemption
Based on a story by Stephen King, The Shawshank Redemption is widely hailed as one of the greatest prison movies ever made. It tells the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a man wrongfully convicted of murder who spends decades plotting his escape from Shawshank prison. At its heart, it’s a tale of hope and perseverance.
After falling afoul of the warden, Andy’s cell is searched. His belongings are turned upside down by the warden and guards, but it’s not until they seize his Bible that Andy stiffens. The warden looks at it, and says: “Salvation lies within.” Having found nothing, they leave. But the moment actually foreshadows his escape.
It’s revealed at the end of the movie that Andy had hollowed out the Bible to stash the tiny rock hammer he was using to tunnel out of his cell. Little did the warden know, Andy’s salvation really did lie within – just in a far more literal sense. Though it’s just a throwaway line, it turns out to be some of the best subtle foreshadowing of all time.