The Institute

7.7
202558m

When 14 year old genius Luke Ellis is kidnapped, he awakens at The Institute, a facility full of children who all got there the same way he did, and who are all possessed of unusual abilities. In a nearby town, haunted former police officer Tim Jamieson 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.

Production

Logo for MGM+ Studios
Logo for Spyglass Media Group

Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: Official Trailer

Official Trailer

Thumbnail for video: Opening Credits

Opening Credits

Seasons

8 Episodes • Premiered 2025

Still image for The Institute season 1 episode 1: The Boy

1. The Boy

8.2

Luke Ellis wakes up at The Institute, a facility that abducts teenagers with psychic powers. Ms. Sigsby, the place's charismatic director, claims they're saving the world. Meanwhile, Tim Jamieson hides from his haunted past as a small-town night knocker.

Still image for The Institute season 1 episode 2: Shots for Dots

2. Shots for Dots

8.5

Luke bonds with the other Front Half residents, begins plotting his escape. Meanwhile, Ms. Sigsby manages the fallout from a security breach. In town, Tim begins to look into The Institute, only to find himself caught up in a high-stakes standoff.

Still image for The Institute season 1 episode 3: Graduation

3. Graduation

8.7

Luke begins to plan his escape while Sigsby is distracted trying to expose Stackhouse's disloyalty. Meanwhile, Tim loses a friend.

Still image for The Institute season 1 episode 4: The Box

4. The Box

8.5

As Luke's tests intensify, a new arrival causes problems for Sigsby; Tim isn't buying the official story about what happened to Annie.

Still image for The Institute season 1 episode 5: Back Half

5. Back Half

8.5

Sigsby tricks Luke into confirming he's TP, forcing him to move up his escape attempt; Tim's suspicions put him on the Institute's radar.

Still image for The Institute season 1 episode 6: Run

6. Run

8.7

As Tim's investigation pays off in ways he never imagined and Sigsby scrambles to avert disaster, Luke must finally decide who he can trust.

Still image for The Institute season 1 episode 7: Hide

7. Hide

8.6

Luke and Tim go on a desperate search for help as Sigsby uses all of her formidable assets in a last-ditch attempt to keep the Institute's secrets.

Still image for The Institute season 1 episode 8: Fight

8. Fight

8.3

Our characters come together for a final confrontation with unimaginable consequences.

Cast

Photo of Ben Barnes

Ben Barnes

Tim Jamieson

Photo of Joe Freeman

Joe Freeman

Luke Ellis

Photo of Fionn Laird

Fionn Laird

Nick Wilholm

Photo of Hannah Galway

Hannah Galway

Wendy Gullickson

Photo of Julian Richings

Julian Richings

Stackhouse

Photo of Robert Joy

Robert Joy

Hendricks

Photo of Martin Roach

Martin Roach

Chief Ashworth

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Reviews

M

MovieGuys

5/10

I'll be blunt and buck the trend by saying I'm not a big Stephen King fan.

I've read a few of his novels and my biggest criticism is and this is just my opinion, mind you, I found them, at times, downright long winded.

"The Institute" takes far, far too long to go anywhere remotely interesting. That's in spite of an excellent cast, including the wonderful Mary-Louise Parker, many might remember from the series "Weeds".

Suffice to say, viewers like myself don't mind a little lead in but when that turns into multiple episodes, I believe, you have a right, to expect more, "sooner".

The upsides include decent acting, sets, special effects and choreography.

In summary, for this reviewer "The Institute", takes far too long get off the ground. Not recommended.

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