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

by

Initially, it appears that Netflix’s upcoming psychological thriller miniseries, “Wayward”, has much to offer. The narrative centers around Tall Pines Academy, a school designed for troubled adolescents who struggle with various issues such as aggression and drug addiction. With a long history of achievement and a solid reputation, the academy is steered by the mysterious Evelyn (portrayed by Toni Collette), whose innovative therapeutic approaches have miraculously transformed supposed lost causes into productive citizens in society.

Indubitably, Tall Pines Academy seems to harbor an unusual enigma, with “Wayward” revealing this immediately from its opening scene. Consequently, the show launches into a captivating mystery that enthralls viewers right from the start, with a standout performance from Collette at its core. However, “Wayward” appears to hesitate in delving deeper into some of its most intriguing elements, leading to inconsistent pacing and two unrelated storylines that feel disjointed, which unfortunately detracts from the overall series.

Wayward‘s Struggles With Dual Focus

In Wayward, the story unfolds on two interwoven threads. Initially, we follow Alex Dempsey (created by Mae Martin), a police officer who, along with his pregnant wife Laura (Sarah Gadon), settles in the quaint Vermont town of Tall Pines. The community appears captivated by Evelyn’s power, and Alex serves as our guide, uncovering the town’s mysterious past. Concurrently, Abbie (Sydney Topliffe) and Leila (Alyvia Alyn Lind) are students at Tall Pines Academy, shedding light on the secrets hidden within its walls. However, while this dual narrative appears sound initially, it eventually seems to dilute the story’s impact.

The unique experiences of Abbie and Leila as students at Tall Pines stand out significantly compared to Alex’s endeavors. Viewing things through their perspective, we witness strange traditions and regulations that students are expected to follow. Moreover, amidst the distorted educational journey of the Academy, their friendship is constantly put to the test. The diverse student body at Tall Pines also indicates that the term “troubled” is often misused, serving as a justification for internships of teenagers from various backgrounds.

As a film enthusiast, I must admit that, from the outset, I found myself investigating a mystery in Tall Pines that seemed rather lightweight. Yet, it was common knowledge that this town was sinister and its teenagers were in grave danger. However, watching Alex gradually unravel what everyone else appeared to already understand, made the series less engaging for me.

Even when Laura’s past began to heavily influence Alex’s growing paranoia, I felt there wasn’t enough substance to warrant the significant screen time dedicated to this narrative thread. But in an unexpected turn, the most compelling episode of Wayward truly shone, zeroing in almost entirely on the teen characters. This allowed the show to delve deeper into their complexities and motivations, making it a far more intriguing watch.

In simpler terms, the insistence of Wayward to primarily revolve around Alex’s character might negatively impact the Academy storyline. With just eight episodes to resolve its mystery, crucial character development often occurs behind the scenes. The plot occasionally employs expository dialogue to clarify sudden changes in characters or events unfamiliar to the audience. To alleviate this issue of excessive exposition and enhance dramatization, Wayward could concentrate more on the teenagers’ stories instead of the cop’s investigation that seems oblivious to certain happenings.

In summary, the storylines in the series ‘Wayward’ rarely intersect significantly. The characters from each half have occasional encounters, but their respective conclusions by the final episode are largely unrelated and self-contained. There’s no pivotal moment that links the narratives coherently, leaving the show as two separate stories, with one struggling to hold audience interest.

Wayward Struggles with Its Message

Wayward purposely challenges gender roles by incorporating instances of youthful defiance, intending to elevate and empower its characters. However, these scenes disrupt the overall somber atmosphere, creating a jarring shift in tone that seems off-kilter for the series. Given the grim, despairing nature of Wayward , these rare instances where it deviates from its usual mood feel out of place and even questionable. Occasionally, certain music choices appear as if the show is attempting to imitate popular Netflix shows like Wednesday or Stranger Things, which contradicts the tone it initially establishes in its early scenes.

Ultimately, there’s an intriguing inconsistency in how Wayward treats its LGBTQ+ characters. For instance, Alex, a transgender man, undergoes hormone treatment as part of his transition process, yet this aspect is scarcely integrated into the narrative. Furthermore, several characters remark on the high number of queer individuals residing in a rural area during the early 2000s, an era that was generally less accepting of diverse gender and sexual identities than today. Remarkably, instances of apparent resistance to queer acceptance are introduced only to be swiftly dismissed. Despite Wayward seeming to harbor a message regarding identity and respect, this theme is never fully developed within the storyline.

In its conclusion, the miniseries “Wayward” seems uncertain of its narrative direction, opting for uncertainty over a definite ending. It leaves room for further exploration but fails to offer a clear resolution. Important characters reach their ends without sufficient emotional development, leaving it unclear what message “Wayward” intended to convey through its story. The ambiguity doesn’t feel intentional; instead, it creates a confusing mix of messages regarding Evelyn’s actions and Tall Pines’ significance within the narrative.

In the TV miniseries, “Wayward,” there are indeed some shining moments, particularly from Collette’s portrayal of Evelyn, which makes it worth watching. Collette delivers another remarkable performance, making her character a compelling reason to tune in. Alyn Lind, among the younger cast, also shines brightly, offering a delicate, moving performance that keeps viewers hooked. The two actresses are undeniably given the most impactful scenes in “Wayward,” and one can’t help but ponder how the other teen characters might have fared if their stories were developed with the same depth.
However, it seems that Martin struggled to strike a balance in “Wayward,” dedicating more focus to themselves than necessary for the story they intended to tell.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Wayward comes to Netflix on September 25.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/essential-netflix-originals-stranger-things-narcos-ozark/embed/#

Read More

2025-09-10 06:41