From the chilling minds that brought us Mr. Mercedes and The Stand comes a new descent into psychological horror. The Institute, based on Stephen King’s 2019 novel, yanks you into its eerie, fluorescent-lit halls, where gifted children are stolen from their homes and subjected to sinister experiments. Equal parts sci-fi thriller and emotional survival story, The Institute dares to ask: what happens when the monsters wear lab coats and the only way out is through your own fear?
The Institute follows 12‑year‑old Luke Ellis (Joe Freeman), a brilliant young mind who is violently abducted after his parents are murdered. He later wakes up in a sterile, locked-down facility. Here, he joins other kids with unsettling abilities, all of whom are trapped in a nightmarish experiment. Across town, former cop Tim Jamieson (Ben Barnes) is trying to rebuild his life, but soon uncovers clues that link him to the facility. Their paths converge, setting the stage for a heart-pounding clash between childhood innocence and institutional evil.
The trailer delivers an atmosphere drenched in dread. One moment, viewers see Luke in a monotonous room with barred windows; the next, corridors teeming with children under scientific observation. A haunting voice intones, “We only get one shot…we don’t have a lot of time,” setting an ominous tone that hints at a pulse-quickening escape attempt. Visually, director Jack Bender’s signature claustrophobic framing lays bare the show’s terror of confinement and loss of control.
Directed by Jack Bender, the trailer injects unrelenting tension. Every frame is charged with dread. Bender’s directing ensures the setting becomes another character, while Benjamin Cavell’s adaptation promises nuance and emotional depth, especially in the relationship between Luke and Tim. With Stephen King firmly on board and a cast that seems primed to deliver, this could be a seamless translation of the novel’s harrowing power.
Supporting Freeman is Mary‑Louise Parker as Ms. Sigsby, the Institute’s enigmatic and possibly menacing overseer, as well as Simone Miller, Fionn Laird, Hannah Galway, Julian Richings, Robert Joy, Martin Roach, and others who populate the Institute and surrounding town.
Mark your calendars: The Institute debuts July 13, 2025 exclusively on MGM+. Over eight pulse-pounding episodes, viewers will be drawn into a world of power, control, and deep, dark secrets.
Geek Verdict:
The trailer of The Institute is a masterclass in atmospheric horror. It aptly combines ominous environments, vulnerable protagonists, and a looming sense of conspiracy. With its gripping premise, strong cast, and seasoned creators behind it, this adaptation could stand as one of Stephen King’s best on-screen translations to date.
About The Institute
TV Series
Synopsis: Apsychological horror series based on Stephen King’s novel, follows a young genius, Luke Ellis, who is kidnapped and wakes up in a facility filled with other children possessing special abilities
Genre: Horror • Sci-Fi • Psychological Horror
Director: Jack Bender
Stars: Joe Freeman• Ben Barnes • Mary‑Louise Parker
Release Date: July 13, 2025 on MGM+
