"The Institute" by Stephen King - mini review

Stephen King's new thriller is a mixed bag - part "The Manchurian Candidate", "Firestarter", "The Adventures of  Huckleberry Finn", "The Body"/"Stand by Me", "It" and even some parts of the King/Straub novel "The Talisman".
The narrative is compelling and the political themes intriguing. Once again Stephen King returns to familiar ground - exceptional 12 year olds in danger. But noone does it better.
Netflix's "Stranger Things" clearly gives the nod to these King novels.

70's - 80's film references in Netflix's "Stranger Things" Season 1

• Stephen King's "Stand By Me" (train track scenes, being hassled by older bullies)
• Stephen King's "Firestarter" has a girl with telekinetic powers, likewise King's 1976's adaptation "Carrie".
• Opening titles are a homage to 80's graphics accompanied by John Carpenter-esque electronic music ("Hallowe'en", "Escape from New York")
• The monster is a cross between "Alien" (tube down Will's esophagus) and  John Carpenter's "The Thing". 
• Teenage romance and misfits - John Hughes comedies, take your pick. The Duffer Brothers chose great English alternative music, too. But this is another matter.
• "E.T." - BMX bikes, El(even) is hidden in a bedroom closet, a garden shed, shown Star Wars models by her new friend, a mysterious government agency is pursuing her. She even points (E.T.like) in on scene.
• Film posters on kids' bedroom wall: "'The Evil Dead"
• The monster's shape making a wall elastic-like ("A Nightmare on Elm Street")
• Dustin refers to El as the "weirdo on Maple Street". Am I drawing a long bow with the last one?