"The Institute": Stephen King's Horrific Power Struggle Hits the Small Screen

If you're game for a horror show that pits innocent children against oppressive institutions, brace yourself for MGM+'s latest offering, "The Institute." Crafted from the spooky brilliance of Stephen King's mind and brought to life by Jack Bender, the show offers a chilling dive into the world of unchecked authority and the courageous kids who dare defy it. Granted, it's not flawless, and yes, the finish line might be a bit clunky, but who can resist the allure of a good old head-scratching mystery?

"The Institute" flickers to life in a seemingly average Minnesota high school. A batch of older students takes on the grueling task of a college entrance exam while clever, 14-year-old Luke Ellis (played by Joe Freeman) breezes through it, causing a room-wide jaw drop when he announces he's done while others are still at it. With a genius-level IQ, Luke is used to the spotlight. However, his dream of attending MIT with his family cheers him on comes up against a chilling obstacle. One frightening night, shadowy figures whisk Luke away from the familiar comfort of his home.

Meanwhile, in a small Maine town, Tim Jamieson (Ben Barnes)-formerly a Boston cop, now a drifter-spots a job listing for basic security work. Burdened by a past incident, Tim accepts the low-key job of patrol duty around the town. Everything changes when he meets Annie (Mary Walsh), an unhoused woman with wild conspiracy theories, and Tim's curiosity grows regarding a potentially dangerous facility on the town's outskirts.

When Luke wakes up from a horrible dream of getting sprayed in the face with chemicals, he's relieved to be in his room-only momentarily. A sense of dread fills him as he meets fellow teens Kalisha (Simone Miller), Iris (Birva Pandya), George (Arlen So), and Nick (Fionn Laird), who reveal that they've been nabbed by The Institute. Despite the foggy reasons behind the kidnappings, Luke learns he's in for a series of tests at the hands of Ms. Sigsby (Mary-Louise Parker), Dr. Hendricks (Robert Joy), and Head of Security Stackhouse (Julian Richings). These officials promise that following "graduation" from a shadowy segment of The Institute known as "The Back Half" and after a final examination, Luke will be returned to his oblivious family - memory erased.

But, this is no ordinary teenager. Luke, sharp and quick on the uptake, sees through the promises. He takes it upon himself to devise a daring escape plan, spurring his fellow captives to join in the efforts. The sudden appearance of the youngest recruit, Avery (Viggo Hanvelt), hastens their scheme even as Tim Jamieson's investigation leads him towards the Institute's secrets.

"The Institute", overall, is an entrancing watch despite a somewhat floundering climax. While the reasons behind the insidious organization become clear in the final episodes, the pacing hits a speed bump, and the thrilling ride loses some steam. The finale leaves viewers hanging with unanswered questions.

Nevertheless, embarking on this gripping journey matching wits with a menacing institution and rooting for the smart, rebellious kids, makes "The Institute" worth your time. It perfectly encapsulates some very real concerns of our times in the manner only King's stories can. However, it leaves you craving a bit more thrill and chill.

"The Institute" is set to premiere its first two episodes on July 13 on MGM+, with new adventures rolling out every Sunday henceforth.