Stephen King's new Amazon Prime Video series might just plug that Stranger Things gap in your life
Stephen King's latest TV series adapts a fan-favorite novel - but does it do the original story any justice?
The beloved King of Horror has penned more than 60 books, leading to some iconic adaptations - from Carrie and It, to The Shining and Stand By Me, just to name only a few.
Well, if you're still restlessly waiting for the next instalment of Netflix sci-fi hit Stranger Things to drop, this eight-parter is bound to keep you satisfied.
Stranger Things returns this November for its fifth and final season after an almost three-and-half year gap between its previous series.
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And if supernatural drama is your bag, then you don't have long to wait until The Institute premieres on MGM+ - which can be accessed via Amazon Prime Video as an add-on - based on King's 2019 novel of the same name.
It stars Joe Freeman (son of Sherlock star Martin Freeman), who gives an utterly convincing performance as brainy pre-teen Luke Ellis.
The youngster is blessed - or, perhaps, cursed - with telekinetic abilities and is subsequently kidnapped by the forces that be, held in an ominous testing lab called The Institute.
He's held alongside other 'gifted' children with and subjected to ruthless experiments designed to amplify their powers.
Mary-Louise Parker stars as stoic Ms. Sigsby, The Institute’s director, whose moral certainty masks the facility’s true horrors.
Parallel to Luke’s ordeal is the journey of Tim Jamieson (Ben Barnes), a haunted former cop who, seeking a fresh start, becomes drawn into the mystery of The Institute’s dark purpose.
Responding to the show's trailer, fans were hopeful the adaptation would stay loyal to the book, as one social media user said: "Hopefully, they do the book justice.
Personally I think The Institute is the best thing Stephen King's written since Pet Sematary."
"Just from this trailer, so much of the characters and locations match my mind's eye from the novel," a second excited fan penned.
"I'm so excited. The book was so good. I was always hoping they would make it a series. Please don't disappoint," a third begged.
Early reviews of the series are mostly positive - with the Radio Times echoing my own opinion on Freeman serving up a 'breakout star' performance.
Meanwhile the AV Club praises director Jack Bender's 'slick direction,' but criticizes the series for its 'taut pace.'
The Hollywood Reporter dubs the series 'Stephen King-lite,' claiming it's 'creepy but forgettable.'
And while the adaptation hits the main markers of the original, its decision to deviate from King's original structure and instead intertwining two characters' perspectives could leave loyal fans a bit irritated.
The Institute debuts with a double bill of episodes on Sunday July 13. One new episode releases every Sunday from then on, concluding on August 24.
You can access MGM+ directly through its site, or via Amazon Prime Video as an add-on. Either way, the subscription will cost $6.99 a month.
$6.99 a month - via , or direct to MGM+ itself - they both cost the same.
The Institute debuts on MGM+ on Sunday July 13.
Topics: Stranger Things, Netflix, Film and TV, Stephen King
Ellie Kemp