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It took six episodes of grueling punishment and secretive planning, but Luke Ellis (Joe Freeman) finally escaped the title prison in Sunday’s (August 10) new episode of The Institute, titled “Run.” He also immediately found help in the form of Tim (Ben Barnes), who’d been lurking around the Institute after developing suspicions about what was really going on there and had grown used to weird theories after meeting Annie (Mary Walsh). Despite everything Luke had been through, it didn’t take him long to trust Tim. That was due, in part, to Luke’s burgeoning ability to read minds and tell that Tim believed what he was saying about wanting to help. But it was also thanks to the fact that he didn’t have much of a choice. Maureen (Jane Luk) died by suicide instead of heading to the Red Steps to meet him after being summoned to...

We all remember the story of little Danny Torrance from The Shining. This cute and charming five-year-old travels with his parents Jack and Wendy to the mountains of Colorado to wait out the winter in the sinister Overlook Hotel. Fortunately, Danny possesses a mysterious strength: a talent for telepathy King cals the shining. This brave little boy is followed by Charlie McGee (Firestarter), an innocent little girl with a powerful mind. Thanks to a shady government program, she was born with the ability to light fires with her mind along with a host of other psychic abilities. In the decades since introducing these powerful kids, Stephen King has written about from Leo Rockway (The Stand) and Ellie Creed (Pet Sematary) to the beam breakers trapped in midworld (The Dark Tower), King excels at creating likeable young characters with powers much larger than their tiny bodies.

In 2019, he published The Institute,...

What Can Fans Expect From General Hospital On August 6, 2025? ( Photo Credit – X )

In the previous episode of General Hospital, Jason confided in Sonny about Britt. On the other hand, Michael shares his suspicions about Willow with Dante. Carly and Lucas had a frank discussion. Willow tried to make amends to get what she wanted. Lastly, Sidwell attempted to deter Tracy.

With mob fights and personal family problems on the horizon, there’s a lot of bubbling drama on the way. Here’s what the fans can expect from the August 6, 2025, episode of General Hospital when they tune in to ABC to watch the popular daytime drama revolving around Port Charles residents.

General Hospital Spoilers: August 6, 2025

The episode on Wednesday features Sonny making a connection. Is this about Sidwell and their tiff? Or could this be about Britt now that Jason has confided in Sonny? When Chase confronts Michael, how will things go?...

The Bold & The Beautiful Spoilers ( Photo Credit – CBS )

The previous episode of The Bold and the Beautiful saw Finn accusing Grace of the mess she created regarding Liam’s illness. Nick prepared to propose to Brooke during a boat outing. On the other hand, Ridge raced to Naples to stop him and stop Brooke from saying yes to his proposal.

The love triangle drama and the action are about to be boiling hot with Ridge jumping in the water as a savior. Here’s what the fans can expect from the August 6, 2025, episode of The Bold and the Beautiful when they tune in to CBS to watch the daytime drama revolving around Los Angeles residents.

The Bold & The Beautiful Spoilers: August 6, 2025

The episode on Wednesday features Ridge making a splash save in the Mediterranean. After Eric sees Nick with a ring, he quickly tells Ridge about what he saw...

Days Of Our Lives Spoilers ( Photo Credit – X )

The previous episode of Days of our Lives saw Chad catching Julie off guard. On the other hand, Sarah gave Marlena some upsetting news. Cat started training with Rafe to get ready for her new role. Gabi bonded with Xander and then last but not the least, Susan got under Johnny’s skin.

The drama is ongoing as the courtroom battle continues. Avid watchers of the soap opera will have lots to look forward to. Here’s what the fans can expect from the August 6, 2025, episode of Days of our Lives when they tune in to Peacock to stream the daytime drama revolving around Salem.

Days Of Our Lives Spoilers: August 6, 2025

The episode on Wednesday features Abe reassuring Paulina. With the trial ongoing, there is a lot of doubt and worry in the air. Paulina is more than anxious, worried, and stressed about what will happen.

The Institute star Ben Barnes has finally spoken about the fan casting that’s followed him for over a decade, and HBO needs to start taking notes. For years Harry Potter fans have imagined Barnes as the perfect Sirius Black in countless edits, and dream casts. And now, the Narnia star has actually addressed the hype, while speaking at the Tampa Bay Comic Convention with Collider.

I found it very weird for a lot of years, because I didn’t really understand what was happening. People would sort of ask me to sign things or—and I was like, “You know what? I was in Narnia.” So for a lot of years, I found it confusing.

And then I went through a phase of being like, “Wait, I’ve been—people have sort of imagined me in this sort of old universe thing for like, 15 plus, 20 years now.” And it’s that kind of,...

Pedro Pascal In Game Of Thrones(Photo Credit –Facebook)

Pedro Pascal, now leading roles in The Last of Us and The Mandalorian, gained wide recognition as Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones. While fans remember his character’s violent death at the hands of The Mountain, Pascal recently shared a much different memory from the set.

In a resurfaced interview, he described his favorite day filming the HBO series, a scene full of unexpected nudity, and a distracted Charles Dance. To top it off, Pascal quietly played Words With Friends with co-creator David Benioff during the shoot.

Pedro Pascal’s Wild Game of Thrones Set Story Revealed

During an interview, Pedro Pascal was asked to recall an indelible moment from his time on Game of Thrones. He pointed to a day filled with strange on-set energy. “Yeah I have many. I’ll pick one. Shooting an orgy that gets interrupted by Charles…...

Shadow & Bone: A Throwback To The Cast & Character Guide!(Photo Credit –Instagram)

Fantasy shows continue to be among the most popular picks among youth, and Shadow and Bone is one such series that managed to make its place in the hearts of fans. The adaptation is based on the Grishaverse books by Leigh Bardugo, which consist of Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows.

Both book series are set in the same Grisha universe and were thus combined into one show by Netflix, starring Ben Barnes, the most popular actor to star in the series. Here’s a look back at who played which roles in both seasons of Shadow and Bone, which premiered in April 2021.

Shadow & Bone: Cast & Character Guide Jessie Mei Li as Alina Starkov

Alina is the Sun Summoner who was raised as an orphan. She worked as a cartographer in Ravka’s First Army,...

Ben Barnes loves to see himself in fan-castings of an iconic Harry Potter character, but notes that his views on the franchise as a whole have been "sort of tainted" over the years.

As work begins on HBO's Harry Potter series, fans are already imagining future seasons adapting the other novels in J.K. Rowling’s classic story. That includes The Prisoner of Azkaban, which introduces Sirius Black, Harry’s godfather, who was framed for both betraying them to Voldemort and killing several Muggles.

After years in Azkaban, Sirius broke out to find Harry and convince him of his innocence. Sadly, he had to keep on the run, still helping Harry until his tragic death in The Order of the Phoenix. The movies saw Gary Oldman playing the role, who did a fine job with the part.

Of course, fans have been dream-casting roles like Sirius, and a major favorite has been Ben Barnes.

Henry Cavill will always be known for his role as Superman, but long before he ever starred in Man of Steel, he teamed up with a Daredevil: Born Again star for a forgotten fantasy thriller that’s resurfaced on streaming charts. Cavill stars alongside Charlie Cox and Ian McKellen (X-Men) in Stardust, the 2007 fairytale epic following a young man who makes a promise to the love of his life to bring home a fallen star from a magical land. Despite releasing over 15 years ago, Stardust has returned to global VOD charts, trending in several countries, including Namibia. Stardust was well-liked by both fans and critics, earning a 77% score from the former and 86% from the latter on Rotten Tomatoes. It also grossed $137 million at the box office against a $70 million budget, meaning it fell just short of breaking even.

While Henry Cavill and Charlie Cox have ample star power for any movie,...

A longtimeHarry Potterfancast is addressed by Shadow and Bone star Ben Barnes. The actor has experience bringing beloved fantasy books to life between playing Prince Caspian in two The Chronicles of Narnia movies and as the Darkling in Netflix's Shadow and Bone.

The main season 1 casting of HBO's Harry Potter show is complete, but there continues to be speculation about casting for the seasons that will adapt later books in the series. For years, Barnes has been a popular fancast to play Sirius Black, and it is still a possibility for the HBO series.

While speaking with Colliderat the Tampa Bay Comic Convention, Barnes explained that he was initially surprised by being associated with a character he had never played. However, he grew to appreciate the strange phenomenon over time:

I found it very weird for a lot of years, because I didn't really understand what was happening. People...

Ben Barnes is no stranger to fandoms — The Chronicles of Narnia, Shadow and Bone, and The Punisher have all cemented him as a fan favorite across genres. But when a fan at FanX's Tampa Bay Comic-Con asked him about being endlessly imagined as Harry Potter’s beloved Sirius Black, Barnes opened up with thoughtful candor. “I found it very weird for a lot of years, because I didn't really understand what was happening,” Barnes admitted during the Q&a, where he was speaking with Collider's Maggie Lovitt. “People would sort of ask me to sign things or — and I was like, ‘You know what? I was in Narnia.’”

Barnes went on to say that the association took him by surprise initially, but evolved into something more meaningful as time went on.

“So for a lot of years, I found it confusing. And then I went through a phase of being like,...

If you have an MGM+ subscription, there is a good chance that you've been catching up on horror master Stephen King'slatest page-to-screen adaptation. The Institute, the new MGM+ series based on King's 2019 book of the same name, has been climbing the ladder on streaming, and is currently at the top of the service's rankings. While the show itself got mediocre reviews, audiences clearly feel differently.

As of this article's publication, The Institute is in the #1 spot in MGM+'s Top 10 rankings, according to FlixPatrol. This list includes film and television, so the show is making an obvious impact on the streaming service's leaderboard. The Institute finds itself above a pair of Jason Stathamfilms, A Working Man and The Beekeeper, as well as popular family films like Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

The show mostly follows the book's plot, and revolves around Luke (Joe Freeman), a teenage wunderkind who gets kidnapped and awakens in an unknown place.

When most people think of successful fantasy TV shows, HBO and Prime Video are probably the first two networks that come to mind. They’ve both upped their investments in the fantasy genre lately with new seasons of House of the Dragon, The Wheel of Time, The Rings of Power, and more, but Netflix isn’t that far behind.

There are some great Netflix fantasy shows to stream right now! Since Game of Thrones, Netflix has quietly assembled an epic lineup of fantasy shows. There were so many shows that could have made this list, but I wanted to choose a very small, select group of shows that fantasy fans need to watch if they haven’t yet.

So, let’s get the ranking of the best Netflix fantasy shows started with Shadow and Bone.

6. Shadow and Bone Shadow and Bone. (L to R) Archie Renaux as Malyen Oretsev, Jessie Mei Li...

The latest Stephen King adaptation has become a hit on streaming. The Institute, which premiered on July 13 and is currently still airing new episodes, has topped the charts over on MGM+.

According to FlixPatrol, as of Aug. 1, The Institute is still the No. 1 movie or show on MGM+, topping the streamer's Top 10 Overall list. The series adaptation of King's 2019 sci-fi horror novel of the same name has been in the top spot for the past week, an impressive streaming statistic that not too many shows can boast about having achieved. With new episodes of The Institute dropping until Aug. 24, there's a good chance that the MGM+ original will remain at the top of the chart until the end of the month.

First announced in June 2024, The Institute centers around teen genius Luke Ellis (Joe Freeman), who "wakes up in a strange place full of children who got there the same way he did,...

This post contains spoilers for "The Institute."

Stephen King's "The Institute" opens with a horrific murder. This incident takes place in suburban Minneapolis, where 12-year-old Luke Ellis is kidnapped after intruders kill his parents. A severely traumatized Luke wakes up in a room that looks similar to his own, but realizes that he's in a facility dubbed The Institute, located deep inside the dense forests of Maine.

There's a reason why Luke has been dragged here against his will: He's a prodigy with mild telekinetic/telepathic abilities, becoming a prime target for dubious experimentation. There are others like him, of course, trapped inside this fortress of a building that seemingly has no exits (there are no windows either). Luke has no option but to befriend a few other kids, which soon becomes a source of comfort for a child who has no one else to rely upon.

Luke isn't...

MGM+’s newest show, The Institute, has received a positive streaming update, two weeks after it was released. It was based on acclaimed author Stephen King’s sci-fi horror novel of the same name.

Despite garnering mixed reviews following its premiere last July 13, it seems like the first season of The Institute is dominating the streaming charts so far. Per FlixPatrol, the latest Stephen King show has claimed the number 1 spot on MGM+’s Top 10 chart in both the U.S. and other countries as well. Although the series is being compared to Stranger Thingsin terms of its themes and story, The Institute is still far from the massive success that the Netflix show enjoyed when it first made its debut in 2016. At the moment, the new show currently holds a Tomatometer rating of 71% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 21 reviews.

The official synopsis for The Institute reads, "It follows the...

It feels like every year, a new Stephen King novel is given the adaptation treatment, usually for the big screen. With a bibliography so large (King has already released six books this decade), the author’s work continues to have a grip on modern audiences. But, with so many of his works adapted into such iconic films, the television landscape has always lacked King’s terrifying touch. This is where MGM+’s new series The Institute comes in, based on King’s 2019 bestseller of the same name. The series follows Luke Ellis (Joe Freeman), a gifted high-school student whose genius isn’t particularly nurtured at his school. Where his fellow classmates struggle, he flies through common tests with ease, finishing in record time with a bored look on his face. But, it’s clear that there’s something more to Luke, and would it really be a Stephen King adaptation if there wasn’t?...

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If you love the eerie worlds created by Stephen King, then you might love the new MGM+ series based on 2019 King’s 2019 novel The Institute. Developed by Benjamin Cavell, the supernatural horror thriller series revolves around Luke Ellis, a genius teen boy and Tim Jamieson, a former police officer, as their lives intertwine after Luke is kidnapped and wakes up in a mysterious institute alongside other kids with unusual abilities.

The Institute – Episode Guide (When Will the New Episodes Come Out?) Credit – MGM+

The Institute consists of eight episodes in total. The supernatural horror thriller series premiered on MGM+ with its first two episodes on July 13, with the rest of the episodes coming out weekly every Sunday. Check out the complete episode guide of The Institute below:

Episode 1 “The Boy” – July 13, 2025 Episode 2 “Shots for Dots” – July 13, 2025 Episode 3 “Graduation...

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The Institute is a supernatural horror thriller series created by Benjamin Cavell. Based on Stephen King‘s 2019 novel of the same name, the MGM+ series follows Luke Ellis, a genius teen boy who is kidnapped and wakes up in a mysterious institute where he finds other kids with unusual abilities. Luke’s life takes a turn when his life intertwines with a former police officer haunted by his past, who moves to the nearby town. The Institute stars Ben Barnes, Joe Freeman, Simone Miller, Fionn Laird, Hannah Galway, Julian Richings, Robert Joy, Martin Roach, and Mary-Louise Parker. So, if you loved the thrilling mystery, intense drama, and compelling characters in MGM+’s The Institute, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Promised Neverland (Hulu & Crunchyroll) Credit – Crunchyroll

The Promised Neverland is a Japanese anime series directed by Mamoru Kanbe.

The tension at the Institute hit an all-time high in Episode 3 and wrapped up with a discovery that changes everything for both the kids and the adults caught up in their orbit. Just as escape plans start to form, we see the episode shift its focus to Dennison, where Tim’s night patrol ends with him stumbling onto a scene that can’t be walked away from. The body in the tent? It’s Annie, and the circumstances in which she’s found don’t add up.

What looked like an overdose is immediately suspicious, especially after Annie’s clear warnings earlier in the episode about avoiding anything that would cloud her senses. So, Tim (played by Ben Barnes) knows she doesn’t drink. The episode ends with more questions than answers, building serious momentum for what’s next. Let’s dive deeper!

The Institute Episode 3 Recap: Avery’s Powers...

Horror fans are currently exploring the vast treasure trove of Stephen King’s works, as evident in Epix’s Chapelwaite gaining momentum on the streaming charts.

FlixPatrol reported that the series secured the third spot on MGM+ Top 10 in the United States on July 20, 2025, a notable achievement after it initially failed to impress critics and fans due to its overstretched storytelling when it originally premiered in 2021.

The hype on King’s The Institute undoubtedly fueled audiences to check out other screen adaptations based on the works of the King of Horror. A prolific writer, King wrote numerous novels and short stories that became a favorite source material for filmmakers.

Chapelwaite Earns Streaming Redemption Despite Early Pacing Criticism Adrien Brody in Chapelwaite / Credits: Epix

Stephen King’s short story, Jerusalem’s Lot, which was first featured in 1978’s Night Shift, lent its story to Epix’s Chapelwaite, a ten-episode series from Peter and Jason Filardi.

“The Institute” is the latest Stephen King adaptation to land on the small screen.

The series adapts the 2019 novel by the master of horror, which follows a teenager with a genius-level intellect and the ability to move things with his mind, who is abducted in the middle of the night and shipped off to The Institute. It’s a place where bad people run bad experiments on them to increase their abilities and use them.

Here’s everything you need to know about where and when to tune in for the first season of MGM+’s “The Institute.”

When does “The Institute” Season 1 come out?

“The Institute” Season 1 premiered on Sunday, July 13.

How can I watch “The Institute” Season 1?

The first season of “The Institute” streams exclusively on MGM+. If you want to check out the new Stephen King series, you will need to get a subscription to the service.

In horror and sci-fi circles, not many comparisons have stirred up conversation like Stranger Things Season 4 vs. Stephen King’s The Institute. From the beginning, the sci-fi hit has made its King inspiration obvious, featuring mysterious kids with powers, and secret government programs into something that feels both nostalgic and gripping.

But once Season 4 dropped, just a few years after The Institute hit shelves in 2019, longtime King readers couldn’t help noticing just how closely the two stories line up, so closely, some argue, it’s more than just influence.

Now that the first two episodes of the MGM+ show based on the novel are out, the debate is heating up again. Fans on Reddit are asking the same question: where’s the line between homage and imitation, and has Stranger Things crossed it?

Stranger Things vs. The Institute: All Similarities Explained Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in Stranger Things | Credits: Netflix.

Warning: Minor spoilers for The Institute to follow...

The Institute, the MGM+ adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name starring Ben Barnes and Joe Freeman, is the latest of King's horror works to receive the small-screen treatment. Reviews are still coming in, and at the time of writing, the show remains at 72% on Rotten Tomatoes, a solid score for the show considering only two episodes have been released so far. Even though it's still early, conversations about a future follow-up are always on the table, but with The Institute, the chances are higher thanks to the book's conclusion. Though nothing has been confirmed yet, executive producers Benjamin Cavell and Jack Bender reveal they have plans to continue the story far beyond Season 1.

The creative duo talked to The Direct about the future of The Institute, which sees a group of children with special skills trying to fight...

Stranger Things is one of the most popular sci-fi shows at the moment. Created by the Duffer Brothers, it's no secret that the duo has used Stephen King as an inspiration for their Netflix hit.

The sci-fi series is set to end later this year with the fifth and final season, but until then, there is a perfect replacement series. MGM+ has just released The Institute, an adaptation of King's 2019 novel of the same name. The series debuted with mixed reviews, but it immediately exploded on streaming, FlixPatrol reports.

The supernatural horror series premiered on Jul. 13 with two episodes. The Institute rose to the top of the charts, debuting in third place on July 14 and finally taking the top place on July 15. Internationally, the series is available on HBO Max in several territories, where it debuted in fourth place.

The Institute drew many comparisons with Stranger Things, although there are many differences.

Among all the exciting Spider-Man updates fans have gathered surrounding Tom Holland's next installment, one in particular has certainly come as a shock. Following Charlie Cox's surprise cameo as Daredevil in No Way Home (2021), another MCU star from a Netflix series will appear in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day: Jon Bernthal as The Punisher. Even though his series bowed on the streaming giant back in 2019, Frank Castle's legacy has clearly lived on. The Punisher storyline features a number of standout characters alongside the eponymous antihero, such as the infamous Jigsaw. Also known as Billy Russo, the villain was portrayed in the Netflix show by Ben Barnes, who can now be spotted as the lead in a new series on an entirely separate streaming platform.

The Institute is now available on MGM+, and MovieWeb recently spoke with the English actor while he was promoting his latest starring vehicle.

The 1990 classic adaptation of Stephen King’s 1986 horror novel, ‘It,’ the miniseries, is currently trending on HBO globally. Based on King’s novel of the same name, the miniseries was the original adaptation of the book before Andy Muschietti’s two-part film adaptations.

And the show currently ranks among the top 10 trending on the streaming platform worldwide. According to FlixPatrol, the horror miniseries holds the #8 spot on the top 10 TV shows on HBO, following the crime documentary American Monster: Abuse of Power at the #7 spot.

As the original adaptation of King’s acclaimed and one of the most popular books, the series has maintained a great hold on its audience as it continues to grab the attention even more than three decades after its release.

How Stephen King’s 1990 Miniseries Is Outperforming Modern Scares on Streaming

Despite its age, Stephen King’s It is currently outpacing many modern horror titles on HBO Max,...

There’s a lot of Stephen King out there. Last year, we got the Salem’s Lot remake, and this year alone we’ve had The Monkey and The Life of Chuck. And this year, we’ve still got The Long Walk and another The Running Man adaptation on the way. Think about that for a moment. That’s four adaptations of one author in a single calendar year, and all four of them are theatrical releases. It’s unprecedented, and if you’re a horror fan, you know it’s kind of always been that way. Lots of Stephen King.

It makes it challenging to keep up with everything, and those who do likely know just how hit-and-miss those adaptations can be. There’s some good, some great, some Mr. Harrigan’s Phone. Beyond the theatrical releases, there are just as many streaming releases. Buried beneath the prestige of King’s more popular titles,...

Stephen King releases so many books that it can sometimes be tough to keep up if you’re not an avid reader. I tend to wait until I see the stories via Movies or Television, and then dive into them further with the book itself. I know, I’m weird, but it’s worked for me so far. The Institute always seemed like an intriguing prospect because it essentially sounded like King’s take on superhero children. Sure, there isn’t any shape-shifting or flying, but telekinesis and telepathy are intriguing powers, and I love that they essentially extend from the shining ability that we’ve seen in both The Shining and Doctor Sleep. In some alternate reality, young Danny Torrance could have ended up in a place like the Institute. And like any good Stephen King story, it’s not exactly what it appears on the surface. You can check out our TV critic,...

Stephen King’s new horror series The Institute just started, but people aren’t sure how they feel about it yet. The show is based on King’s 2019 novel and had its first two episodes released on Sunday, July 13, on MGM+. Early reactions from both critics and regular viewers have been pretty mixed.

The story is about a teenager named Luke Ellis. He has powers that let him move things with his mind. One day, he’s kidnapped and taken to a strange place called the Institute. There, he meets other kids who also have special powers. The kids are trapped and experimented on, and they work together to find a way to escape.

Rotten Tomatoes has shared the first ratings for the show. Critics gave The Institute a score of 71%, which means most of them think it’s decent. However, the audience score is lower at 58%. These scores are...

Stephen King’s latest horror series is off to a rocky start with viewers and critics. The Institute, based on his 2019 novel, just premiered its first two episodes on MGM+ this past Sunday, July 13. But early reactions are pretty mixed.

The story of The Institute follows a teenager named Luke Ellis who has telekinetic powers. After being kidnapped, he ends up trapped inside a mysterious place called the Institute, where he meets other kids like him. Together, they try to find a way to escape while strange experiments are done on them.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, critics have given the show a 71% rating from 14 reviews. But the audience score is much lower at 58%, based on fewer than 50 ratings so far. This shows that regular viewers aren’t as impressed as some critics.

The reviews highlight the divide. Some critics say the show captures King’s dark style and creepy tone,...

Written in a short story format, Abraham’s Boys: A Dracula Story was merely supposed to be an exploration of the age-old Van Helsing myth in a different light. But with the live-action feature-length adaptation of Joe Hill‘s story, it looks like Van Helsing may never want to wake up from his slumber again.

Abraham’s Boys now has a 31% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a number so pitifully low on the list of bad adaptations that the only way for Joe Hill to survive the hit to his reputation is by shouting the rating of his father, Stephen King’s book-to-movie adaptation of The Dark Tower (16%), from the rooftops.

Abraham’s Boys Fails as a Horror Flick, But Horrifies Critics With a Bland Plot Abraham’s Boys: A Dracula Story (2025) [Credit: Rlje Films]

Van Helsing is a character as ripe and old as Dracula, yet not so famous and celebrated as the immortal vampire.

The Institute, based on Stephen King‘s novel, has taken 2025 by storm for a good reason. That’s right, after the first two episodes premiered on MGM+ on July 13, it sparked huge conversations online. While it may not be as highly rated as his other works, like Castle Rock, the characters, as well as the eerie premise, have for sure grabbed attention.

With actors like Mary-Louise Parker and Ben Barnes in lead roles, the thrill factor is definitely up to the mark. But in the midst of several characters, it’s clear not everyone carried the same weight in the story. Some are central to the mystery, shaping every twist and turn, while others simply fade into the background, and that’s what this list is all about. We’re ranking The Institute cast based on how important they truly are to the plot.

1. Joe Freeman as Luke Ellis

There’s no debate here,...

Streaming on: MGM+

Episodes viewed: 8 of 8

Another day, another Stephen King adaptation. But in a year where The Monkey, The Running Man, The Long Walk and The Life Of Chuck have all been adapted for cinema, King's latest "The" has some stiff competition. The 2019 source material was decent enough, updating the psychic-kid tropes that King popularised long before Stranger Things showed up. But like that book, The Institute show is middling at points, more a collection of fun King archetypes than anything distinctive in its own right.

The Institute is noticeably lo-fi compared to the Duffer Brothers’ series, X-Men or any other story of that ilk. In truth, powers barely come into play, as weak as they are, so the focus instead is on the children at the heart of these lab-based horrors. Or at least, half of the time it is. In the biggest deviation from King's novel, The Institute...

Both The Institute and Castle Rock are adapted from Stephen King’s work, but the response to each has been very different. That’s right, The Institute kicked off with a decent 78% critics’ review on Rotten Tomatoes but hasn’t connected that well with audiences. On IMDb as well, it currently sits at 6.9/10.

Meanwhile, Hulu’s Castle Rock, on the other hand, has held stronger ground. Both of its seasons are rated between 87 and 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, and it also has a solid 7.5/10 on IMDb. So, what could be the reason for this gap? Let’s dive deeper to know what Castle Rock did that clicked more with fans and critics.

Why Castle Rock’s Stephen King Universe Feels Bigger (and Better) Than The Institute Melanie Lynskey in a still from Castle Rock | Credits: Hulu

Stephen King‘s stories and narratives often exist in the same world, shared towns, recurring names,...

If there’s one thing Stephen King knows, it’s how to write stories about psychic kids. From Danny Torrance (The Shining) to Charlie McGee (Firestarter), the Master of Horror’s early work is filled with precocious children able to infiltrate the minds of those around them and set the world on fire with telekinetic power. King returned to this signature archetype in 2019 with The Institute, a sci-fi horror story about a deadly home for powerful kids. Showrunners Jack Bender and Ben Cavell have adapted this polarizing novel in a limited series for MGM+ that blends YA dystopia with King’s patented brand of heart-wrenching terror. Though engaging and well-made, the series falls short in exploring its source material, merely repacking King’s themes in a glossy new package.

Luke Ellis (Joe Freeman) is a pre-teen genius preparing to go to MIT when he wakes up one morning in a strange environment.

By the end of The Institute Episode 2, one thing becomes crystal clear: Sigsby (played by Mary-Louise Parker) isn’t as in control as she thinks she is. Sure, she’s running the show on paper, keeping the kids in line, making calls, and pleasing the higher-ups. But behind her back, Stackhouse (played by Julian Richings) is already playing a very different game. He’s making sure to position himself as the real power, and Sigsby doesn’t see it coming.

So, what started out as a horror story about psychic kids locked away in a hidden facility is now shaping up to be something more political and personal. Here, Stackhouse is playing chess, and it looks like Sigsby is still stuck playing checkers. Let’s dive deeper.

Sigsby Thinks She’s in Charge – But Episode 2 Proves Stackhouse Is the Real Threat

Sigsby walks through the Institute like she owns the place,...

It's not even Halloween yet, but horror buffs, you're in for a treat. MGM+ has released a new supernatural horror series on its platform that's worth checking out. It's titled The Institute, and if you're a big fan of Stephen King, you'll most likely already be familiar with the show's title.

Yes, this show is based on King's 2019 sci-fi horror novel of the same name. It is produced by MGM+ Studios and comes from director and executive producer Jack Bender (From) and writer and executive producer Benjamin Cavell.

Jason Diaz as Tony; Julian Richings as Stackhouse; Mary-Louise Parker as Ms. Sigsby in The Institute | MGM+

Imagine being this really intelligent kid with special abilities who goes to sleep one night and wakes up the next day in what looks like your room, but is not at all. You've been kidnapped and taken to this mysterious facility where other kids with...

Along with releasing the first episode of The Institute earlier today, MGM+ also treated viewers to the second episode, making for a double premiere. Episode 2 finally explains what the ominous-sounding "shots for dots" test is and what it entails. Outside of the lab, Luke (Joe Freeman) and Nicky (Fionn Laird) consider how they might plan an escape.

Back in the town of Dennison, we get to watch Ben Barnes run around charming people as Tim. He quickly becomes something of a small town hero, and the town's resident "crazy" lady Annie (Mary Walsh) finally mentions the Institute for the first time. For now, these two storylines remain distinct from one another, to the point that I'm not sure how certain elements will tie together, but more on that later.

The second episode is a step up over the first, though it does throw quite a lot of information at viewers...

The first two episodes of new MGM+ series The Institute became available on the streamer today, available via the app and through linear airings on the MGM channel. A new supernatural horror show based on Stephen King's novel of the same name, The Institute introduces newcomer Joe Freeman as telekinetic teen genius Luke Ellis who is promptly kidnapped and placed inside the fortress-like facility known as the Institute alongside other psychically gifted teens.

Our introduction to Luke immediately establishes that he's special, even without his psychic abilities. His first scene shows him taking a test amongst other students, only for him to finish the whole thing within moments. It quickly becomes apparent that he's outgrown his high school and is destined for greater things, like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

But it doesn't take long for Luke to get kidnapped—sorry, recruited—to the Institute, and that's where the show really begins.

‘The Institute’ premieres Sunday, July 13 with a double-episode debut on MGM+.

I’ve been on a full-blown Stephen King reading kick this year. Just finished “Pet Sematary” (easily one of the best books I’ve ever read), and now I’m deep into “The Shining.” Once I make it through a few more of the big ones, I’m planning an adaptation binge — and right at the top of that list is the newest one: “The Institute.” This one’s about a kidnapped kid genius who wakes up in a creepy facility full of children with powers, all being controlled by some seriously shady adults. Meanwhile, in a nearby town, a former cop starts to piece together what’s really going on… and let’s just say, their stories are bound to collide. “The Institute” premieres Sunday, July 13 at 9 p.m. Et on MGM+ with the first two episodes.

How...

A series based on a Stephen King novel? Say no more. However, The Institute isn’t vintage King, if we’re being honest there. It’s a decent – albeit unoriginal – story that’s been told many times before. Translated to the small screen, it’s a mixed bag that doesn’t cement itself in the upper echelon of King adaptations. Teenager Luke Ellis (Joe Freeman) is a genius, who displays a degree of telekinetic ability. One day, Luke wakes up in an isolated facility where he meets other children with telekinetic and telepathic powers. The boss of this place, Ms. Sigsby (Mary-Louise Parker), informs Luke that he’s part of a group destined to do great things for the world, and once he graduates from this institute, his mind will be wiped and he’ll go back into the world none the wiser. Yet, Luke’s stay in this facility...

In The Institute episode 1, the concepts of fronthalf and backhalf candidates were introduced. Basically, all the telepathic or telekinetic kids who had been recently kidnapped were categorized as fronthalf. They were allowed to stay in rooms that resembled the bedroom they had back home. They were given decent food. They were allowed to roam around in the playground, at day and at night. They were tested upon in order to bring out the full potential of their powers. And then the process was repeated all over again. Luke, along with Kalisha, Iris, George, and Nick, is what would be considered a fronthalf. And it seems like they are going to get through this whole ordeal together, but Iris’ time is up, and she “graduates” to the back half after a sordid party thrown by Sigsby, Tony, and Maureen. The rest try their best to console Iris, but nothing can stop...

To help you anticipate and navigate all that television has to offer across broadcast, cable and streaming, TVLine offers daily, weekly and monthly What to Watch digests, as well as an overview of every new TV show premiering in 2025.

This week, you’ll find 15 series premieres (including The Institute and Untamed), 11 returning series (including The Summer I Turned Pretty and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) and 13 finales (including Love Island: USA and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars).

More from TVLineEvery New Scripted Show Confirmed to Premiere in 2025 — Save the Dates!What to Watch in July: Your Guide to 170+ Premieres Across Broadcast,...

Stephen King has written more than 60 books during his illustrious career, and a significant portion of his stories have received Hollywood adaptations with many more in development. I don't have the exact numbers on this, but I have to imagine that King has had more of his works developed than almost any other author. In 2025 alone, we've had The Monkey and Mike Flanagan's take on his novella The Life of Chuck.

Coming up in the second half of the year, we'll see the premieres of The Long Walk, The Running Man, It: Welcome to Derry, and now, The Institute, which begins airing on MGM+ on Sunday, July 13. Flanagan is also working on a Carrie series for Amazon and a long-awaited adaptation of The Dark Tower.

The Institute is an eight-episode series brought to life by director Jack Bender (Lost) and writer Benjamin Cavell (Justified). The plot centers on a...

Ben Barnes is dating former American Idol contestant Aubrey Cleland!

After months of romance rumors, the 43-year-old actor and the 32-year-old singer were spotted looking very much like a couple during a date night.

Ben and Aubrey were seen walking arm-in-arm while getting dinner this week in London, England.

Aubrey was seen as Ben‘s love interest for the music video for his song “Nevermind,” which was released back in December 2024. Watch below!

Following the release of the video, Aubrey has collaborated with Ben musically, including a performance during his January 2025 show in Portland.

During a February 2025 concert, Ben talked about writing a song after a bad breakup, but assured the audience that he is “very happy” now.

Aubrey uses her Instagram account to share the artwork she makes and Ben has left several comments with hearts on her posts.

After making it to the Top 12 on American Idol season...

Stephen King‘s novel The Institute (which can be purchased Here) reached store shelves on September 10, 2019 – and that same day, it was announced that David Kelley and Jack Bender, the duo behind the King series adaptation Mr. Mercedes, were working on a limited series adaptation of The Institute. Almost six years have gone since then and Kelley has dropped off the project along the way, but The Institute is moving forward at MGM+ – and now, we finally know when the show is going to premiere! The Institute is set to premiere on July 13th at 9pm Et/Pt on MGM+ (we have a review that you can read at This Link)… and before we even reach that date, creator / executive producer Benjamin Cavell has already let it be known that he’s hoping for a second season.

Set to run for eight episodes, The Institute will tell the following story:...

Planning for a thrilling weekend ride? Then look no further, as MGM+ has a list of chilling horror thrillers and thought-provoking dramas to keep you hooked. That’s right, from edge-of-your-seat horror thrillers like The Institute to powerful dramas, there’s something for everyone and every genre. The streaming platform is known for offering top-notch shows with strong characters and exciting plots.

The same is true this time as well, as it’s bringing top 10 shows across diverse genres to keep fans hooked. Whether you’re in the mood for a binge session or just want to unwind with a single episode, MGM+ delivers quality content that’s easy to follow. So, let’s take a look at the top 10 MGM+ shows to watch this weekend.

10. From Follows Residents Trapped in an Endless Nightmare in a Mysterious Town

If you’re in the mood for a spine-chilling mystery binge this weekend,...

In the golden age of multi-season arcs, Netflix seems to want to be the odd one out. The streamer rendered Ben Barnes’ Shadow and Bone canceled after 2 seasons, leaving no room for future Grishaverse projects. The abrupt axing after two seemingly great seasons came as a shock to the audience.

Meanwhile, platforms like FX and Prime Video are bringing back fan favorites; The Bear Season 5 and Upload Season 4 are official. So, is it possible Netflix could learn a thing or two from the series revival era gaining momentum? If so, we think investing in Shadow and Bone’s lore continuity might be the best decision Netflix will make in recent times.

Could We Get a Shadow and Bone Revival from Netflix After 2 Years?

It’s been almost two years since Netflix stripped Grishaverse enthusiasts of their favorite series, Shadow and Bone. The show was unexpectedly canceled back in November 2023, despite...