WAYWARD
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Wayward takes us to a “troubled teen” academy in small-town Vermont where the vibes are off, the town is weirdly chill about everything, and the person in charge feels like she’s pulling every string.
He Said / She Said
“It’s great at setting up a creepy situation and making me want to know what’s really happening. It’s uncomfortable in a way that feels plausible, like a version of this school could actually exist, and probably does! I’m invested and need to know where this goes!”
“The characters feel believable, even the ones that are brainwashed or kind of nutty, and that makes the story feel plausible. Toni Collette is an evil force in the show. Everything seems to revolve around her, even with limited screen time. There’s a small supernatural-ish element (the frogs) that I don’t get yet.”
Critical reception (so far)
Wayward has received a mixed-to-positive early response, with most critics agreeing that its strength lies in atmosphere rather than execution. The unsettling tone, slow-burn tension, and central mystery have been widely praised, particularly the show’s ability to create a constant sense of unease and suspicion.
That said, some critics feel the storytelling can be uneven. While the early episodes effectively hook viewers, there’s debate around pacing, clarity, and whether the show fully capitalizes on its premise as the season unfolds. Overall, it’s seen as compelling and creepy, but not without flaws. It’s a show that sparks conversation as much as it divides opinion.
What it’s about
The story centers on Tall Pines Academy, a school for “troubled teens” in Tall Pines, Vermont and the unsettling sense that the institution (and the town around it) isn’t what it claims to be.
We follow two main threads: Alex (a police officer) and his wife Laura relocating from Detroit to Laura’s hometown (she’s a Tall Pines alum), and two Toronto teens, Clare and Abbie, whose trouble-causing lands them at the school.
Overall vibe
Eerie, tense, and “something’s wrong here” from the jump. The show leans hard into mystery and dread, with a steady build across Episodes 1–3 as the town’s behavior and the school’s control start to feel more coordinated than coincidental.
Episode 1 is the slowest; Episodes 2 and 3 pick up speed and feel very bingeable.
Episode-by-episode (1–3)
We’re introduced to Tall Pines Academy, the town of Tall Pines, and a new police officer (Alex) who starts to question what he’s been told about Tall Pines Academy when he meets a desperate runaway from school.
Abbie tries to adjust to her new reality at Tall Pines while Leila is determined to rescue her.
Abbie and Leila struggle to accept their circumstances as they are introduced to the more unique methods of Tall Pines. Meanwhile, Alex learns more about the school, the town, and more surprisingly, his wife’s history with the school.
Content warnings
Expect:
- Violence
- Drug use
- Abduction / confinement
- Teen death
- Child-related danger
- Emotional distress
Who will love it / who should skip it
Will love it if:
- You like tense mysteries built around “what’s the truth?”
- You’re into creepy characters and institutions-with-secrets
- You enjoy cult-adjacent, could-be-real dread
- You want a show that gets more bingeable by episode 2–3
Should probably skip it:
- You want fast-paced action right away (Episode 1 is the slowest)
- Teen danger / abduction themes are a hard no
- You dislike implied supernatural elements
- Drugs or drug use is a trigger
- You’re uncomfortable with a trans lead character
We Finished the season…
If you’re interested, you can read our Full Season Verdict — updated scores, post-season reactions, and fun facts on our Patreon.
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