Netflix’s latest mini-series, Wayward, is not just another teen drama. Blending elements of psychological horror, cult manipulation, and small-town mystery, it’s an eight-episode binge-worthy thriller that holds audiences hostage until the credits roll.
Created by and co-starring Mae Martin, the show tackles adolescence, parenthood, and blind faith—all under the shadow of Toni Collette’s commanding presence. With its mix of YA energy and grown-up dread, Wayward emerges as one of the most unsettling yet captivating Netflix releases of 2025.
A Cult Disguised as Reform
At the center of Wayward lies Tall Pines Academy, a reform school marketed as a safe haven for troubled teens. Its charismatic leader, Evelyn Wade (Toni Collette), appears nurturing and scholarly, but beneath the polished surface lurks something more sinister.
Teens arrive to “solve the problem of adolescence,” but what awaits is a strict, isolating system designed to strip them of individuality. Evelyn’s power lies not only in discipline but in her ability to present herself as a benevolent savior. It’s the classic cult setup—reframed for a small-town, YA-infused mystery.
Mae Martin’s Dual Lens
Mae Martin, best known for Feel Good, stretches into darker territory here, playing Alex, a trans cop who moves to Tall Pines with his pregnant wife Laura (Sarah Gadon), herself a graduate of the Academy.
Through Alex, the audience investigates what’s really happening inside Tall Pines, while flashbacks and Laura’s strained arc reveal the long-term effects of Evelyn’s influence. Martin balances the police procedural perspective with an emotional family drama, making Wayward more layered than a typical teen thriller.
The Teen Focus
While adults circle the mystery, much of Wayward’s heartbeat belongs to the teens at Tall Pines.
- Abbie (Sydney Topliffe) is a Canadian teen shipped off for bad influences.
- Leila (Alyvia Alyn Lind) is coping with grief and poor choices.
- Their friendship, volatile yet tender, anchors the youth storyline.
Supporting characters—a liar with a kind heart, a sycophantic snitch, and a rebellious bad boy—avoid falling into tired Breakfast Club stereotypes. Instead, Martin’s writing makes them messy, unpredictable, and authentic.
Toni Collette’s Dominance
It’s no exaggeration: Toni Collette is the reason to watch Wayward.
Evelyn Wade is written as both alluring and terrifying, and Collette delivers with precision. She commands every room, her warmth barely concealing menace. The performance recalls her chilling work in Hereditary, but here it’s wrapped in soft cardigans and motherly smiles.
Each scene peels back Evelyn’s facade, turning her from savior to cult tyrant. Collette’s presence grounds the series, making it clear: this is not just a teen drama; it’s a horror story about misplaced trust.
Themes That Hit Hard
Wayward explores big themes under the guise of small-town drama:
- Parenthood and identity – Alex wrestles with impending fatherhood while Laura resists maternal expectations.
- Belonging and conformity – The Academy preys on the vulnerable desire to fit in.
- Faith and manipulation – Evelyn embodies how even progressive-seeming spaces can harbor authoritarian dynamics.
The result is a show that speaks to both teens and adults—anyone who has questioned authority, sought acceptance, or feared losing themselves to a larger system.
Visuals and Tone
Set in Vermont, Tall Pines looks idyllic at first glance. But the lack of doors in homes, the eerie group therapy scenes, and the punishing Academy rules create an atmosphere of suffocating surveillance.
Martin and the directing team weave in dreamlike sequences, including surreal imagery like a glowing underwater door, to heighten the sense of dread. The tone hovers between YA drama, crime procedural, and psychological horror—never fully one thing, but always gripping.
FAQs About Wayward
1. When does Wayward premiere on Netflix?
The mini-series will debut globally on September 25, 2025.
2. How many episodes are there?
Wayward Season 1 has eight episodes.
3. Who created Wayward?
The series was created by Mae Martin, who also stars as Alex.
4. What genre is Wayward?
It’s a mix of psychological thriller, teen drama, and cult horror.
5. Is Wayward worth watching?
Yes. With Toni Collette’s powerhouse performance and a smart, layered script, it’s one of Netflix’s strongest fall releases.
Final Verdict
Wayward is more than just a teen mystery; it’s a haunting look at how communities fall under the sway of charismatic leaders and how fragile individuality can be in the face of conformity.
With Toni Collette delivering one of her most unsettling performances, Mae Martin anchoring the story with emotional depth, and a cast of young actors breathing life into rebellious, authentic characters, this Netflix mini-series is equal parts chilling and bingeable.
If you’re in the mood for a show that will keep you questioning loyalty, power, and belonging long after the finale, Wayward should be at the top of your watchlist.
