Stephen King's New Series The Institute Might Just Fill That Stranger Things Void, But Does It Deliver?

What’s The Institute All About?

At the center of the series is Luke Ellis, played by Joe Freeman (son of Sherlock star Martin Freeman). Luke is a brilliant young boy with extraordinary telekinetic abilities—something that doesn’t go unnoticed by dark forces working behind the scenes.

After being kidnapped, Luke wakes up in a cold, clinical facility known only as The Institute, where he discovers he's not alone. The facility is filled with other children who possess various supernatural powers and have all been taken from their homes for the same twisted purpose: experimentation.

At the helm of this shadowy operation is Ms. Sigsby, portrayed by Mary-Louise Parker, who blends a calm demeanor with a disturbing sense of righteousness. Beneath her composed exterior lies a leader willing to do anything to harness the children's abilities.

Running parallel to Luke’s story is the path of Tim Jamieson, a former police officer played by Ben Barnes. Searching for a fresh start, Tim finds himself unraveling a conspiracy that could be tied to the very heart of The Institute’s dark secrets.

The Institute debuts on MGM+ on Sunday July 13

Fans React to the Trailer

Before the premiere, anticipation was already high among fans of the book. One user commented, “Hopefully, they do the book justice. Personally I think The Institute is the best thing Stephen King's written since Pet Sematary.”

Another viewer shared their excitement, writing, “Just from this trailer, so much of the characters and locations match my mind's eye from the novel.”

A third fan added, “I'm so excited. The book was so good. I was always hoping they would make it a series. Please don't disappoint.”

Watch the trailer

Does the Series Live Up to the Hype?

Early reviews have been mostly positive, especially praising Joe Freeman’s breakout performance as Luke. The Radio Times highlighted him as a standout, while The AV Club applauded Jack Bender’s “slick direction,” though noted that the show's “taut pace” might feel a bit too restrained for viewers expecting full-throttle horror or action.

The Hollywood Reporter offered a more mixed review, calling the series “Stephen King-lite,” describing it as “creepy but forgettable,” suggesting it might not reach the heights of King's most iconic adaptations.

A Different Approach to the Story

Fans of the novel will notice one significant shift. While the book focused heavily on Luke’s perspective and the isolated horror of The Institute itself, the series chooses to intertwine Luke’s journey with Tim Jamieson’s from the beginning. This narrative choice helps build suspense and world-building early on, but it might frustrate some purists who preferred the novel’s structure and slow-burn tension.

That said, the adaptation does hit most of the novel’s emotional beats and doesn’t shy away from the ethical questions at the heart of the story—namely, how far should we go in the name of the “greater good,” and what does it cost to silence innocence?

Final Thoughts

While The Institute may not match the cultural impact of Stranger Things, it offers a darker, more grounded take on government secrecy, psychic children, and the moral ambiguity of those in power. It doesn’t lean as heavily into nostalgia or teen adventure tropes, but it carves its own space with psychological tension and character-driven drama.

If you're looking for a series that taps into your love for supernatural thrillers and classic King storytelling (with a dose of dystopian dread), The Institute is well worth checking out. Just don’t expect fireworks from episode one. This is a slow, cerebral burn that aims to chill more than dazzle.