The Institute

Haven't read the book so can't comment on adaptation but haven't watched such a well paced tension builder in a long time. The characters are likeable and the sci-fi concept sound, if you are a sci/fi fan you won't be disappointed with this one. The scenes with the kids can be a bit hard to watch and the villains are a bit OTT but it was a very enjoyable watch nonetheless.

I will preface this with the fact that I have not read the books the other reviews mentioned. For me this is good as if I read a book often I am sad when a show or movie is made since sometimes they change key story aspects or I am to aware of nuanced things being left out. The downside is if i watch a show I like I can never read the book because the show has predefined the character and story for me. I'm weird that way. Now on to the review.

This I feel is a pretty good show. The concept is not overly far fetched, if we did have these abilities of course someone would want to exploit it. I'm hoping it sticks around for a bit as so few good shows are on now a days. The acting is pretty on point as well with the cast and I'm excited to see where the show will take things. I also like that it has a feel to it that no cast member is safe, this adds to the show and suspense factor.

The beginning of book has a terrifying event that the TV show greatly waters down 😐.

That set up the expectations of what this show will be, watered down version of book.

This will not be horror nor thriller and more sci-fi drama if anything.

Thus my expectations have been lowered and so will continue to watch it for what it is, family friendly show. Even the aesthetics of show such as lighting suggests a more toned down feel compared to books.

Serviceable is best way to describe show if you read book. Cast and acting good, no complaints there.

It will be probably be more exciting for those who have not read books👍.

Lots of hype at the beginning, with a strong atmosphere, intriguing setup and characters that seemed to have great potential. But halfway through the 8 episodes, everything starts to fall apart. It feels like the writers couldn't keep the tension or properly tie things together, and what promised to be a truly gripping Stephen King adaptation ends up losing steam. By the end, you're left with the frustrating sense of wasted potential and an unfinished story that could've been so much better.

SK adaptations have always been a bit mediocre, but I think its because its impossible to get the way SK writes to transfer to the screen. This one is quite good, better than a lot I have seen and I have seen pretty much everything. I read this book, it was pretty good but a long term King theme / hobby horse so nothing new. He does a lot of ESP based books, Carrie, Firestarter to name two well known ones. I can't be bothered with the naval gazing novels about Authors he had a thing about for a while but this is a return to classic King and it is a perfectly reasonable show.