MGM+ has launched the official trailer for The Institute, the highly anticipated Stephen King The Institute sci-fi horror series adaptation, which will premiere on the streaming service July 13. The release spotlights a new angle in Stephen King’s screen adaptations, blending psychological suspense with chilling science fiction elements.
A New Adaptation from Acclaimed Talent
Executive producer Jack Bender, previously recognized for his work on MGM+’s FROM, leads the creative team behind The Institute. The series features Joe Freeman as Luke Ellis, along with Ben Barnes, Mary-Louise Parker, Simone Miller, Jason Diaz, Hannah Galway, and Julian Richings in key roles. The list of executive producers includes Stephen King, Jack Bender, Benjamin Cavell, Gary Barber, Sam Sheridan, and Ed Redlich, underscoring the high-profile backing for the adaptation.
Chilling Plot Set in a Mysterious Facility
Adapted from King’s 2019 novel, The Institute tells the story of Luke Ellis, a gifted teenager who is abducted and finds himself inside a sinister facility. Here, young children—all abducted in a similar fashion—possess extraordinary abilities. The environment is tense, as Luke attempts to understand the mysterious motives of their captors and the true purpose of the Institute.
Within the same narrative world, Tim Jamieson, portrayed by Ben Barnes, enters the scene as a former police officer who has moved to a new town seeking a fresh start, yet quickly becomes entangled in the unfolding events.
In a nearby town, haunted former police officer Tim Jamieson (Barnes) has come looking to start a new life, but the peace and quiet won’t last, as his story and Luke’s are destined to collide.
—Ben Barnes, Actor
The trailer, unveiled today, provides the first glimpse of the Institute’s unsettling interiors, where Freeman’s Luke meets other child captives and faces off with the formidable Ms. Sigsby, brought to life by Mary-Louise Parker. She assures Luke that his suffering serves a greater good, even as he is subjected to bizarre experiments and encouraged to move objects with his mind.
A New Era for Stephen King Adaptations
The Institute arrives alongside a wave of upcoming adaptations from King’s extensive bibliography. Fans can also look forward to series and films like Welcome to Derry, The Running Man, The Long Walk, Carrie, and The Life of Chuck, indicating a strong resurgence of King’s influence in entertainment. The involvement of prominent figures such as Joe Freeman, Mary-Louise Parker, Ben Barnes, and executive producers like Gary Barber and Benjamin Cavell illustrates the level of investment in bringing these chilling stories to new audiences.
As anticipation builds for The Institute’s debut, audiences are prepared to witness a gripping tale of supernatural abilities, mysterious institutions, and the fateful intersection of two unlikely heroes, reinforcing Stephen King’s ongoing impact on the genre and popular culture.
