Phil Roberts 
The Institute is an absolute triumph. The series delivers a wonderfully layered, rich, compelling, and entertaining adaptation of Stephen King’s novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat for weeks to come.
Stephen King adaptations can be a mixed bag. Some are breathtaking, while others fall flat. Nonetheless, studios continue to explore the world of the author’s genius, as his books are a roadmap of brilliance. The latest studio to bring an adaptation of King’s novels to the screen is MGM+. The relatively new streamer is setting its stall out early to deliver some incredible entertainment, and the first Stephen King adaptation it is bringing to the screen is The Institute.
The eight-episode series is being brought to the screen by Lost director Jack Bender and writer Benjamin Cavell, giving the show a wealth of talent behind the camera. Plus, it has an all-star cast, including the talents of newcomer Joe Freeman (son of Martin Freeman), alongside Mary-Louise Parker and the dependable Ben Barnes. But with this incredible collection of creative talents bringing the project to the screen, can the series deliver a worthy adaptation of a King classic? Or is The Institute another King adaptation that buckles under the weight of expectation?
REVIEW
Fear not, King fans, because The Institute is an absolute triumph. The series delivers a wonderfully layered, rich, compelling, and entertaining adaptation of King’s novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat for weeks to come. With its impressive performances by its three leads and the masterwork of Bender behind the camera, the series is an engrossing slow burn. Bender doesn’t waste a second of Benjamin Cavell’s expertly layered screenplay, and uses the material to build the tension as each episode progresses. The series ends with a wonderfully weighted climax that will delight and tantalize the audience with the potential of what lies ahead. In the end, the series delivers a thoroughly enjoyable eight-episode rollercoaster ride of edge-of-your-seat suspense that will leave its mark — a hallmark of a great thriller.
THE STORY
Although Stephen King’s The Institute, published in 2019, is a relatively new novel, it still made the bestseller list. With its modern conspiracy theory vibe and its impromptu X-Men-esque home for the gifted, the book delivered another gem from King’s brilliant mind. Eager to bring this story to the screen, the studio has turned to Jack Bender to oversee the series and bring it to the screen with his expert hand. Bender brings his years of experience on Lost and Game of Thrones to bear on the property, and the results are spectacular.
The story follows Luke Ellis (Joe Freeman), an exceptionally gifted teenager who finds his life turned upside down when he is kidnapped and wakes up in a state facility. The facility is introduced as The Institute, a government agency that studies young individuals with extraordinary abilities. In his case, telekinesis. Once acclimatized, Luke is ushered into the office of the infamous Ms. Sigsby (Mary-Louise Parker), the Institute’s head honcho. In her office, he learns the terrible truth that he and many others like him have been kidnapped and brought to the Institute to save billions of lives.
GIFTS
Luke’s task seems simple: he must allow the Institute to study his abilities, harness their potential, and submit to a series of tests. In return, he will be free to return to his family with no memory of the ordeal. Sounds straightforward, right? Unfortunately, the Institute does not tolerate non-compliance, and soon, Luke and his newly formed group of gifted young misfits find themselves enduring a series of laboratory tests that push them to the brink of their endurance.
In a nearby town, former police officer Tim Jamieson (played by Ben Barnes) arrives and applies for the position of Night Knocker. This job, which is managed by the local police department, involves patrolling the town at night and checking the locks of retailers to ensure their safety. Initially, Tim believes the position is just what he needs—a chance to escape his troubled past while making a positive impact on the community. However, as he settles into his new role, he starts to suspect that something sinister is happening in the town, and his suspicions eventually lead him to the entrance of the Institute. But is there more to the town than meets the eye? What follows is a story on several fronts. Inside the Institute, Luke and his friends are subjected to unimaginable horrors, while Tim investigates the town to uncover the truth about the facility.
A SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED
In the opening episode, Jack Bender establishes the tone for the journey ahead and never looks back. The opening episodes draw obvious comparisons to the X-Men franchise, particularly with its “school for the gifted” theme and students possessing extraordinary abilities. However, rather than shying away from these comparisons, Bender and Cavell use a sharp screenplay to emphasize the parallels.
During a casual conversation, the young characters jokingly discuss having powers similar to those of the X-Men. One must appreciate Bender’s skill in openly acknowledging these connections to Marvel’s mutants. This approach enables the director to identify the similarities before guiding the series in a unique direction, one that is distinct from the familiar formula associated with Marvel.
WELL-LAYERED TORTURE
With the parallels addressed, Bender and Cavell settle into a rhythm and follow Luke and his cohorts as they are forced to endure a string of painful tests. These tests are as shocking as they are abhorrent, and one can only marvel at their effectiveness in engaging the audience. Watching Luke endure this level of excruciating pain is gut-wrenching, and I defy anyone who isn’t instantly invested in his plight. We feel for Luke, share his struggles, and yearn to wrap an arm around him in comfort. This sentiment doesn’t just apply to Luke; every member of the young cast is put through the same ordeal, and it is painful to watch. Our investment only intensifies as the series unfolds, and that is thanks to the ever-present tyrant, Ms. Sigsby.
Like Luke and Tim, Ms. Sigsby is a fascinating character who is far more complex than initially revealed. Mary-Louise Parker is clearly relishing playing this character, and it shows. At times, she is bureaucratic, while at others, she genuinely seems to care for the children under her care. But is all that a pretense? Is she more callous and evil than we first feared? Or is she an misunderstood idealist doing her part for the cause? You be the judge.
A PHENOMENAL CAST
Any series as well-layered as this needs a stellar cast to bring it to the screen, and Jack Bender has brought together a phenomenal cast here. Ben Barnes has cemented himself as the go-to actor for small-screen multi-layered characters, and here, Barnes serves up another masterclass. As Tim, his role requires a nuanced performance from a character with a tormented and tragic past, and Barnes sinks his teeth into the character with zeal. Of course, Barnes is no stranger to fantasy material, given his performances in The Punisher and Shadow and Bone, and that only helps to cement Tim as a character we can root for. We feel for his painful backstory and yearn to see him find solace. We enjoy the connections he makes with the townspeople and quickly rally to his banner when danger lurks in the shadows.
On the other end of the spectrum, we have Mary-Louise Parker as the infamous Ms. Sigsby. I previously mentioned that Parker has conjured up a truly fascinating character here, and she truly is a joy to explore. It is so refreshing to be presented with a complicated character like Ms. Sigsby to scrutinize. Across the season, one can never truly grasp the true depth of her actions. At times, she serves as a mentor while at others she’s an antagonist. However, she is never far from the torment inflicted on the children.
FANTASTIC FREEMAN
This brings us to the standout performer of the series: Joe Freeman. In what is one of his breakout roles, it is a joy to see this young talent deliver such a powerful and immersive performance. As Luke, Freeman takes the audience into the laboratories, exposing us to his harrowing experiences, and the results are breathtaking. Luke quickly becomes our anchor in the story, guiding us from room to room as he endures increasingly ominous tests. We empathize with Luke and yearn for him to fight back against his oppressors. We share in his pain and can only watch in disbelief as his friends are subjected to unspeakable horrors.
Our emotional investment is a testament to Freeman’s performance and to Benjamin Cavell’s sharp screenplay. The combination is nothing short of brilliance, and I applaud both for their conviction on this project. Freeman has a great pedigree, and if this is the first of many high-profile roles, I look forward to seeing where his career takes him. Based on this performance, the sky is the limit for this young actor.
NOTABLE MENTIONS
Aside from the main trio, the series boasts some impressive talents who all shine in this enjoyable thriller. Simone Miller dazzles as Kalisha, Julian Richings produces a wonderfully chilling performance as Stackhouse, and Fionn Laird turns in an enjoyable and rebellious performance as Nick. Rounding out the major players is Robert Joy as the intriguing Doctor Hendricks, and the sleazy, thuggish lab assistant, played by the brilliant Jason Diaz. Every member of this incredible ensemble cast delivers wonderfully engaging performances that are a joy to unravel. It is rare for a cast to produce performances as strong as this, but we, the audience, are richly rewarded for the time invested.
ATMOSPHERE
Finally, I’d like to address the incredible cinematography on display in this series. Although the narrative is remarkably contained, the visuals on display throughout are phenomenal. From the roaming mountains adjoining the facility to the insipid, vanilla, and soul-destroying hospital-like hallways of the Institute itself, every location feels incredibly realized. The hallways are soul-destroying. From the school-like dormitories to the life-draining fluorescent lights, the facility takes on a character of its own. Its oppressive hallways and dark corridors evoke deep-seated fears that resonate with us all. But that only intensifies when the youngsters are escorted into the depths of the building for testing. It is here where the facility’s horrors come to bear, and the lower levels are truly ominous. With no natural light and flickering fluorescent lights, they are the stuff of nightmares and would instill fear in any of us, let alone a child.
This is the brilliance of this series. It takes us to the depths of human depravity and forces us to watch as children endure the most heinous of experiments. At times, it is uncomfortable to watch, but we daren’t look away in case we miss the next twist in the chilling tale.
VERDICT
Overall, I had a blast with The Institute. The eight-episode series is a masterclass of storytelling from Jack Bender. The incredibly sharp screenplay from Benjamin Cavell is well-layered and delivers a phenomenal, if uncomfortable ride that leaves its mark. The series may be a slow burn at times, but the remarkable performances of its brilliant ensemble cast never allow the narrative to stall. With its constant intrigue, slowly unraveling storyline, and heroic defiance of its characters, the series is an enjoyably engaging affair that will stay with you long after the credits on the season finale have ended.
It has all the hallmarks of a true Stephen King thriller, and with the author on set to give his seal of approval, it’s no wonder the show boasts such high quality. With its thought-provoking implications and winning performances, this show is not to be missed.
So, come visit The Institute. Ms. Sigsby has prepared a room for you. Just don’t ask how much it’ll cost!
The Institute premieres on MGM+ on July 13th.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
This review reads like a paid advertisement. The first two episodes dropped today, and they are absolutely terrible. Feels like a lifetime movie – a badly directed, poorly written, cheap looking dumpster fire of a show.
I’m sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the premiere episodes. However, my review is based on the entire 8 episode series and not on the premiere episodes alone. Additionally, as the Owner and Lead Editor of this website, and as member of the Film Critics Association, I can assure you that no funds have been exchanged for a better review. This website has and always will be impartial and my integrity as a journalist demands no less. Thanks for reading!