Netflix’s ‘Wayward’ Explores Troubled Teens Amid Sinister Secrets

Tall Pines, Vermont — Netflix’s new mystery drama, ‘Wayward‘, marks the intriguing directorial debut of comedian Mae Martin. Set in 2003, the series follows a troubled couple, Alex Dempsey and his pregnant wife, Laura, who relocate to Alex’s wife’s hometown as they try to restart their lives after a traumatic incident at work.

The couple soon encounters the Tall Pines Academy, a private facility under the unsettling leadership of Evelyn Wade, played masterfully by an unnamed actress who brings an eerie presence to the screen. The academy operates under the guise of rehabilitation, but suspicions arise when Alex looks into the fate of a runaway from the institution.

As Alex delves deeper, he discovers dark secrets, including that Laura was once a pupil at the academy. The unsettling influence that Evelyn continues to wield over her former students raises alarms about the institution’s true nature. The show explores the term “troubled teen industry,” a controversial market where kids are taken from their homes by escort services and admitted to these facilities, often against their will.

Character studies of two teenage friends, Leila and Abbie from Toronto, add to the narrative. After Abbie’s strict parents send her to the academy for associating with Leila, Leila attempts a rescue, only to be captured herself. Both girls endure physical and psychological abuses that resonate deeply throughout the series.

‘Wayward’ does not shy away from portraying the grim realities of manipulation and control over vulnerable youth. It combines elements of mystery, dark humor, and real social issues, aiming to render an authentic commentary on a little-discussed topic.

The series has received mixed reviews, often noted for trying to tackle numerous themes all at once, while still managing to provide suspenseful entertainment. The show urges viewers to consider the implications of practices surrounding troubled teens without diving too deeply into the territory of the supernatural or the cultish.

Ultimately, ‘Wayward’ leaves a compelling impact, enhanced by Martin’s engaging performance and writing, as audiences are pulled into its mysterious world and left to ponder the unsettling truths that lie beneath.