"Stephen King's novel has been brought to life on MGM Plus, a development that has me keeping a watchful eye at night"

The chilling new thriller, "The Institute," based on Stephen King's 2019 novel of the same name, has made its debut on MGM Plus. This eight-part adaptation, executive-produced by King himself, is a joint production between MGM+ and Amazon.

The series kicks off with a gripping premise as 14-year-old Luke Ellis, brilliantly portrayed by Joe Freeman in his first lead role, is mysteriously abducted from his bedroom in Minneapolis. He finds himself in the clutches of a secret and sinister organization, The Institute, where children are subjected to terrifying experiments.

Luke Ellis, a character with the gift of telekinesis, is determined to free his new friends from the cruel tests overseen by Ms. Sigsby, played by Mary-Louise Parker. Ms. Sigsby, a formidable antagonist, justifies the children's suffering as being for a higher purpose.

Meanwhile, Tim Jamieson, portrayed by Ben Barnes, a former police officer, becomes embroiled in the mystery when whispers of missing children reach his ears. His job is to maintain the peace, but as he delves deeper, he finds himself in danger. Tim Jamieson starts a new life in a nearby town, trying to leave the past behind.

The first two episodes of "The Institute" are available now on MGM Plus, with the series scheduled to release weekly episodes after the initial double-bill. If you're a fan of supernatural themes, sinister secrets, and a brave band of kids fighting dark forces, then "The Institute" is definitely worth a watch.

"The Institute" premiered in the US on MGM Plus on Sunday, July 13, at 9 pm ET/PT, and in the UK on the same day. Catch up on the first two episodes now, and join Luke Ellis and Tim Jamieson on their thrilling journey.