Ben Barnes Says Stephen King's Upcoming Show Is a Must-See for 'Stranger Things' Fans
Although there's still almost half a year until the Stranger Things finale, Ben Barnes promises that The Institute will brighten up the wait. Here's what the actor had to say about the upcoming show.
The finale of Stranger Things is approaching, after the release of the fourth season, the long years of waiting are coming to an end. Although almost three years have passed since the epic battle for Hawkins, the viewers' interest has not waned.
The first part of the fifth season of Stranger Things will be released on November 26. The upcoming Stephen King series, The Institute, will help brighten up the wait, which is still rather long.
What Will 'The Institute' Be About?
Luke Ellis has telekinetic powers. One night, he is kidnapped by people in black suits and taken to a place called The Institute.
Luke settles into a room that turns out to be very similar to his own. There, he meets other children with special powers. Luke and his fellow captives try to find a way to escape the sinister organization.
Meanwhile, former police officer Tim Jamieson arrives in a neighboring town. He is trying to overcome the demons of his past and start a new life. Suddenly, Luke's and Tim's stories become intertwined.
'The Institute' Release Date & Trailer
MGM+ has announced the premiere date of The Institute — the supernatural horror project will be released on July 13 and consist of eight episodes.
Additionally, MGM+ recently released the first official trailer.
Ben Barnes Promises 'The Institute' Will Be a Treat for 'Stranger Things' Fans
The Institute's premise is very reminiscent of Stranger Things. However, it wasn't King who decided to capitalize on the success of the Netflix show – the Duffer Brothers' series was largely inspired by King's books. It would be more accurate to say that the author decided to return to his roots.
Meanwhile, Ben Barnes, who played Tim Jamieson in The Institute, claims the two shows have many parallels that will please Stranger Things fans.
In an interview with RadioTimes, the actor said:
“The Institute has a similar kind of, like, gripping tension to it, that I think Stranger Things does. But it also has that quiet, almost detective-like story to it as well. So it marries a few different things which might feel familiar, but then get sort of bent out of shape.”
Barnes admitted that he liked Stranger Things, especially the first season. He promised that the show would be more than just a story about children with superpowers – it would be a deep exploration of human nature:
“I think King explores those things really thoughtfully, which I love.”
Stephen King is a master at translating the supernatural into the social, as evidenced by Carrie and Firestarter. So we can only hope that the story will be adapted without distorting the author's vision.
