Season 1 – The Institute

Audience Reviews

View More (49)

Macauley M The Institute Has me and my wife on the edge of my seat most episodes and I never want the Episodes to end! I am looking forward to every Sunday for a new episode! I don’t understand half the critics on this app people just hate to hate! This show is awesome keep up the good work Jeff Renfrow! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/12/25 Full Review C L Very fun and keeps you engaged. Definitely want more episodes with a backstory on the institute. Want to see what the kids do in the future as well. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/11/25 Full Review Audience Member Eu estou amando acompanhar The Institute - 2025. 😍 Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/10/25 Full Review BRizz 2 The Institute (2025) — streaming on Amazon Prime and MGM+, created and produced by Steven Spielberg — is a thriller series that proves just how gripping and unsettling a well-crafted story can be. Ben Barnes delivers an absolutely incredible performance as Tim Jamison, a police officer (or “door knocker”) whose role at first feels like a background presence. Early on, I honestly wasn’t sure how he would fit into the bigger picture, but when the story reaches the third-to-last episode, everything clicks. His character suddenly ties into the central plot in a way that’s shocking, satisfying, and worth the wait. Barnes brings a quiet intensity to Jamison, and when his moment comes, it hits like a freight train. Mary-Louise Parker, on the other hand, steals (and terrifies) every scene she’s in. Her portrayal of a manipulative, unrelenting psychopath is chilling to the core. She’s so vile, so cold-hearted toward the kids in her care, that you want to reach through the screen and stop her yourself. She embodies the kind of villain that sticks with you long after the credits roll — not just because of what she does, but because of how believable and frightening she makes it feel. From a directing standpoint, the series is a masterclass in pacing and perspective. The story follows each character with precision, giving you the buildup, the backstory, and the emotional hooks you need before diving into the heavier moments. Scenes are carefully woven together to pull you in and make you feel like you’re living inside this world — a testament to just how deliberate and immersive the direction is. The writing is equally sharp. Every location, every piece of dialogue, and every plot development feels intentionally placed to build tension and anticipation. There’s a clear sense of strategy here — nothing is wasted, and every thread eventually connects in ways you might not see coming. And then there’s Joe Freeman as Lucas — a true breakout star in the making. His performance is magnetic. When Lucas is angry, you feel the heat radiating off the screen. When he’s sick or vulnerable, it’s equally authentic. Freeman nails every emotional beat with such precision that you can’t look away. This is the kind of performance that announces someone as a major talent to watch, and I have no doubt his name will be shouted from every corner of the industry soon. I cannot recommend The Institute highly enough. I went in expecting a solid thriller. What I got instead was a brilliantly acted, masterfully directed, and tightly written series that exceeded my expectations in every way. This isn’t just good television — it’s a must-watch event. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/10/25 Full Review John W So, the book was fantastic, and now along comes the tv version. However,, the show feels incomplete when compared to the book. That's not a uncommon thing to happen, but in this case the gap is huge. I still give a generous 4 stars because the story is so unique, but I think it deserved 10 episodes and not 8. It's missing a lot of interaction with the kids which I'm would of been nice to include. At least it's doing a good job of keeping the ending a secret -- if it has the same ending at all. We'll see. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/08/25 Full Review John M Joe Freeman delivers an excellent performance as a young genius. Characters are strong and I found the story line intriguing. Mary Louise Parker's plastic surgery is cringe. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/06/25 Full Review Read all reviews

The Institute — Season 1

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW