Wayward Review: Toni Collette Shines in Netflix’s Uneven Psychological Thriller

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Initially, it’s hard not to be intrigued by “Wayward,” the forthcoming psychological thriller miniseries from Netflix. The storyline revolves around Tall Pines Academy, a school designed for troubled adolescents who struggle with various issues such as aggression and substance abuse. With years of expertise and an exceptional history of success, the academy is governed by the mysterious Evelyn (played by Toni Collette), whose innovative therapy techniques have turned seemingly hopeless teenagers into productive members of society.

At Tall Pines Academy, something peculiar is certainly happening, as the TV series Wayward makes abundantly clear right from its opening scenes. The show immediately captivates viewers by presenting them with an intriguing mystery, skillfully setting the stage with a standout performance by actress Collette. However, Wayward sometimes falters in its narrative due to hesitation to delve deeper into its more captivating elements, awkward pacing, and disjointed dual storylines, which unfortunately detract from its overall appeal.

Wayward‘s Struggles With Dual Focus

The tale of Wayward unfolds from two perspectives: First, there’s Alex Dempsey (created by Mae Martin), a police officer who relocates with his expectant wife Laura (Sarah Gadon) to the quaint Vermont town of Tall Pines, where they encounter the mysterious allure of Evelyn. Alex acts as our guide, exploring Tall Pines’ dark past. Simultaneously, we follow Abbie (Sydney Topliffe) and Leila (Alyvia Alyn Lind), who are students at the nearby Tall Pines Academy, uncovering the secrets hidden within its walls. However, as the story progresses, this dual perspective starts to feel less cohesive, potentially affecting the overall narrative flow.

The adventures and experiences of Abbie and Leila as students at Tall Pines are noticeably more captivating than Alex’s endeavors. From their perspective, they witness unusual customs and regulations that students must adhere to. Furthermore, during their time at the Academy, the friendship between these two girls is constantly put to the test. Additionally, Tall Pines’ diverse student body showcases how broadly the term “troubled” is used to justify the internships of teenagers from various backgrounds.

Initially, it appears that Alex is probing an unimportant mystery. However, from the beginning, it’s clear that Tall Pines is a dreadful institution where students are in peril. This makes it less captivating as we watch Alex gradually discover what seems apparent to everyone else. Furthermore, when Laura’s past becomes significant in Alex’s growing paranoia, it doesn’t provide enough substance to warrant the extensive screen time devoted to this aspect of the story. Conversely, the most effective episode of Wayward concentrates almost entirely on the teenagers, enabling the series to delve more deeply into their personalities and motivations.

The eagerness of “Wayward” to maintain the show centered around Alex might potentially disrupt the Academy’s aspects. Considering that screen time is scarce and “Wayward” has only eight episodes to solve its mystery, some crucial character development occurs off-screen. Occasionally, brief dialogue lines are included to provide explanations for sudden changes in characters’ behavior or events that the audience hasn’t been aware of. This frustrating reliance on explanatory dialogues instead of dramatic portrayals could be mitigated if “Wayward” paid more attention to the teenagers rather than the clueless cop investigating the truth.

In the series “Wayward“, the two plotlines rarely intersect significantly. Occasionally, characters from different parts of the story have brief encounters, but by the end of the final episode, each plotline reaches its own conclusion without much influence from the other. This narrative structure lacks a unifying element that makes sense in retrospect, leaving us with two separate narratives, one of which is challenging to engage with emotionally.

Wayward Struggles with Its Message

Wayward attempts to challenge gender norms by intermingling scenes of youthful defiance, creating a sense of celebration for its characters and empowerment regarding their identities. However, these segments can lead to abrupt shifts in tone that are unsettling due to the series’ generally dark, dismal, and despairing atmosphere. Occasionally, the show seems to strive for a different feel, imitating the popularity of other Netflix productions such as Wednesday and Stranger Things, which may not align with its initial intentions, given its somber tone established from the start. In essence, some instances of music selections appear overzealous in their pursuit of replicating the success of similar series.

As a movie critic, I found myself scratching my head regarding the treatment of its LGBTQ+ characters in “Wayward”. While the narrative successfully introduces Alex, a trans man, and his journey, the integration of hormone therapy as part of his transition seemed somewhat overlooked within the storyline.

Moreover, the film’s rural setting during the early 2000s is portrayed as harboring an inordinate number of queer individuals, a detail that may have been more credible if accompanied by a more nuanced exploration of the community’s acceptance and struggles.

Interestingly, several instances of controversy surrounding queer acceptance are presented, only to be swiftly resolved without much impact on the plot or character development. This leaves one wondering what “Wayward” intended to convey about identity and respect, as it seems the thread is left unfinished. Overall, the handling of these sensitive themes feels incomplete, leaving room for improvement in future works.

In its concluding moments, the miniseries ‘Wayward’ reveals a sense of narrative uncertainty, reluctant to definitively resolve its plot and instead opting for ambiguity. Although the story does conclude, there is still some scope for further development. However, crucial characters’ endings lack a convincing emotional buildup, making it difficult to discern the exact message ‘Wayward’ intended to convey with its narrative. This ambiguity appears more confusing than purposeful, as it leaves us uncertain about Evelyn’s methods and the significance of Tall Pines in the storyline.

In the miniseries “Wayward“, there are instances of exceptional talent, particularly from leads Collette and Alycia Lind. Collette delivers a mesmerizing portrayal of Evelyn, making it worth considering watching the series. Alycia Lind, among the younger cast members, stands out with her delicate yet powerful performance. The two actresses are awarded the most impactful scenes in “Wayward“, leaving one to ponder how the other characters would measure up if the show had delved deeper into their personal lives as skillfully as it did these two characters. Unfortunately, the series’ balance was not quite achieved, with the creators possibly allocating too much screen time for themselves compared to what the narrative truly required.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Wayward comes to Netflix on September 25.

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2025-09-10 06:10