REVIEW: 'The Institute' Is A Haunting, High-Stakes Thriller That Hits Home

© MGM+

With The Institute, the latest Stephen King adaptation now streaming on MGM+, we dive headfirst into a grim world where gifted children are stolen from their homes and used as pawns in a secretive government experiment. It’s a story that’s terrifying not just because of its supernatural elements, but because it’s grounded in something far more disturbing: the bureaucratic, clinical cruelty of adults who think they know what’s best. No matter the cost.

From the very first scene, this eight-part miniseries pulls no punches. Fourteen-year-old genius Luke Ellis, played with remarkable maturity by newcomer Joe Freeman, is abducted one night from his home. When he wakes, he's in a room designed to mimic his own bedroom, except something is off. No windows. No parents. No freedom. Just silence, cameras, and a cold corridor that leads to The Institute, a sinister facility that disguises its horrors in a façade of routine and regulation.

Joe Freeman as Luke Ellis in MGM+'s The Institute. © MGM+

A Stephen King Story That Balances Fear And Heart

Unlike many horror thrillers, The Institute doesn’t rely on monsters or gore to scare you. The terror here is psychological. The children, including Kalisha (Simone Miller), Nick, Iris, and the eerily gifted ten-year-old Avery (Viggo Hanvelt), are not just imprisoned, they’re gaslit. Manipulated. Drugged. Told they’re saving the world while being subjected to excruciating tests. It’s Kafka for kids, and it works.

Luke’s arc is at the heart of the show, but it’s cleverly mirrored by a parallel story that at first seems entirely disconnected: Tim Jamieson, a disgraced cop played with quiet intensity by Ben Barnes, has taken a job as a nightknocker in a sleepy town nearby. As the series unfolds, the two narratives begin to converge in ways that feel earned rather than contrived. By episode five, the tension is nearly unbearable.

Faithful Adaptation With A Few Bold Moves

Showrunners Jack Bender and Benjamin Cavell (both known for Mr. Mercedes, another King adaptation) stay largely faithful to the 2019 source novel, and wisely so. But they also make a few narrative decisions of their own, the most notable being the dual storyline structure from the start. In King’s book, Tim’s and Luke’s stories unfold one after the other; here, they run side by side, which adds urgency and momentum.

The Cast Is The Secret Weapon

The performances elevate the material significantly. Joe Freeman captures the balance of genius and vulnerability in Luke without tipping into cliché. Simone Miller is fierce and grounded as Kalisha, and Viggo Hanvelt’s portrayal of Avery is downright mesmerizing. His performance is subtle, unnerving, and strangely moving.

Jason Diaz as Tony; Julian Richings as Stackhouse; Mary-Louise Parker as Ms. Sigsby in MGM+'s The Institute. © MGM+

Among the adults, Mary-Louise Parker is a standout as the cold-hearted Ms. Sigsby, the Institute’s director who justifies her atrocities with disturbing calm. She’s not a cartoon villain; she’s the kind of bureaucratic true believer who makes your skin crawl. Robert Joy and Julian Richings, playing the lead doctor and security chief, round out a strong adult cast who bring gravitas to even the most outlandish scenes.

Imperfect, But Unforgettable

Despite its strengths, The Institute isn’t flawless. The pacing drags in the middle episodes, and while most of the visuals are solid, some of the CGI-heavy sequences in the finale come off as cheap and rushed. It’s a shame, because they undermine what could’ve been an emotionally devastating climax.

Still, the flaws don’t sink the ship. The series as a whole is cohesive, compelling, and emotionally resonant. It’s a smart adaptation that respects its source material while carving out its own identity. And more importantly, it never forgets that behind the sci-fi elements and conspiracies are scared, intelligent children trying to make sense of the senseless.

Joe Freeman as Luke; Viggo Hanvelt as Avery; Simone Miller as Kalisha in MGM+'s The Institute. © MGM+

A King Adaptation With Real Staying Power

In an era saturated with Stephen King adaptations, The Institute stands out, not just for its premise, but for how carefully it handles its tone and performances. If you’re looking for a suspenseful, emotionally charged series that explores the terrifying consequences of unchecked authority, all wrapped in sci-fi and telekinetic chaos, The Institute is absolutely worth your time. 

With the recent renewal announced, the big question now is where the story will head in its second season. The road ahead means stepping beyond the source material—a bold move that could make or break the show. One thing, however, is certain: the story isn’t over. Not yet. Not by a long shot.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

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© MGM+

About The Institute Season One

Premiere Date: July 13, 2025

Episode Count: 8

Executive Producer/Showrunner: Stephen King, Jack Bender, Benjamin Cavell, Gary Barber, Sam Sheridan, Ed Redlich

Writer: Benjamin Cavell

Director: Jack Bender

Production: Spyglass Media Group, Sashajo Productions, Nomadicfilm, MGM+ Studios

Distribution: MGM+

Cast: Mary-Louise Parker, Ben Barnes, Joe Freeman, Simone Miller, Fionn Laird, Hannah Galway, Julian Richings, Robert Joy, Martin Roach

Synopsis: From executive producers Stephen King and Jack Bender (FROM), “The Institute” follows the story of teen genius Luke Ellis (Freeman), who is kidnapped and awakens at The Institute, a facility full of children who all got there the same way he did and who are all possessed of unusual abilities. In a nearby town, haunted former police officer Tim Jamieson (Barnes) has come looking to start a new life, but the peace and quiet won’t last, as his story and Luke’s are destined to collide.