Page 125 - Metropolis Megazine No.120 International

clarity but also limits some of the
emotional charge that could have
been explored further.

The most disturbing thing about
«The Institute» is not so much what
you see, but what is hidden and
gradually revealed. The institute's
running organisation believes it
is doing the right thing, justifying
violence and repression as neces-
sary. The internal discourse is ca-
refully calibrated: instead of pain,
they talk about “procedures”; ins-
tead of captivity, they talk about
“missions" or “duty.” The institu-
tion views the end as justifiable,
gradually leading the children to
question their resistance. They are
led to believe that by cooperating,
they are saving the world. But from
what?

This is perhaps the most discon-
certing aspect for viewers. The se-
ries does not feature caricatured
villains or monsters in the dark.
The real terror comes from the col-
dness of the system, the impeccab-
THE TWISTED LOGIC OF le logic with which the unjustifiab-
ABSOLUTE CONTROL le is justified, and the way language
becomes a tool of manipulation.
HBO MAX The Institute is frightening pre-

cisely because it is not a place of
madness but of order. An order wi-
ter this closed world, where every- ficient, relentless, and absolutely thout a soul.
thing seems morally distorted. convinced of her righteousness.
Without resorting to big effects or
The figure who embodies this The narrative alternates between easy drama, «The Institute» bui-
twisted logic is Mrs. Sigsby (Mary- the daily lives of Luke and his com- lds an atmosphere where horror is
-Louise Parker). Her character panions inside the Institute and subtle and persistent. It's not a se-
represents the human face of the the life of agent Tim Jamieson (Ben ries for everyone, which is perhaps
system, someone who believes, or Barnes), who ends up becoming a why reception has been divided.
has convinced herself to believe, key player in the unfolding even- Some appreciate the serious tone
in the legitimacy of the mission. ts. This alternation gives the series and fidelity to the moral message,
She is a disturbing figure preci- rhythm and keeps the viewer enga- while others feel it lacks action or
sely because she acts calmly and ged, although at times the tension formal daring. Still, the adapta-
finds serenity in obedience to an fluctuates, with more predictable tion respects the book's spirit, pro-
abstract cause. Parker avoids the moments and some loss of depth in voking and disturbing with intelli-
stereotype of the cold villain and secondary characters. The choice to gence and raising questions that
transforms Mrs. Sigsby into a per- follow a narrative line that is fairly are not resolved in the last episo-
fect extension of the Institute: ef- faithful to the book helps maintain de—nor should they be.

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