Stephen King fans, rejoice! Another adaptation of one of his works is hitting the screens soon. The Institute, based on King’s novel, has made its debut at SXSW London and will premiere on MGM+ later this year. With Stephen King himself as an Executive Producer, this series shows promise.
The show revolves around Teenage genius Luke, who finds himself in a strange place – a replica of his bedroom – but it’s not his home. He meets other teenagers with unusual abilities, just like him, and together they face strict rules and mandatory tests that threaten dire consequences if disobeyed.
However, there’s an ominous sense of menace from the start, setting the tone for the entire series. The Institute, run by the enigmatic Mrs Sigsby, claims to be helping the teens save the world, but beneath its seemingly innocent facade lies a sinister reality.
The pilot episode provides a glimpse into Luke and his life before entering The Institute. We see hints of a troubled past and a sense of longing for escape. Unfortunately, only one episode was shown at SXSW London, which felt short considering typical festival offerings.
Despite the intriguing premise and hooking setup, it’s disappointing that The Institute will be released on MGM+, a streaming service that might make audiences subscribe to yet another platform. With shows like this thriving on networks or Amazon Prime, it seems strange to launch the series into near obscurity.
The Institute will premiere on MGM+ in July 13th. Fans of Stephen King and science fiction horror will have to wait and see if they’ll be drawn into this new world.
Source: https://filmhounds.co.uk/2025/07/the-institute-sxsw-london-film-review