Netflix drops a chilling new thriller perfect for autumn nights

If you’ve been looking for a gripping new series to curl up with this autumn, Netflix has just delivered. An unsettling eight-part thriller, Wayward, has landed on the platform — and it’s already winning rave reviews.

Set in the seemingly idyllic town of Tall Pines, the show weaves a tale of small-town secrets, eerie institutions and dark power dynamics. It’s created by Mae Martin, the writer behind Channel 4’s critically acclaimed Feel Good, but this time Martin takes a much darker turn.

Martin also steps in front of the camera as police constable Alex Dempsey, who moves to Tall Pines with his pregnant wife Laura (played by Sarah Gadon). As Alex settles into his new posting, he uncovers unsettling links between Laura and the enigmatic Evelyn Wade — the cult-like head of a local academy for troubled teens, played with chilling precision by Toni Collette.

As Alex befriends two desperate local youths, his sense of reality begins to fracture, and he’s forced to question what’s really going on in the town he thought he understood.

Early reviews have been glowing. The Guardian dubbed the show a “mesmerising mystery” and praised Collette’s “utterly magnificent” performance. The Independent compared the series favourably to Nine Perfect Strangers, saying it’s “spine-chilling” but far better executed, with sharp characters and plenty of twists. Mashable called it a “teen drama that demands to be binge-watched,” warning viewers: “Don’t press play unless you’re ready to give up eight hours to this sensational series.”

Film Focus Online highlighted its mix of humour, tension and thought-provoking themes, calling Wayward “unsettling, smart and unmissable” for the season. With an impressive 87% Rotten Tomatoes score already under its belt, it’s shaping up to be one of the standout thrillers of the year.

Dark evenings and Halloween on the horizon make Wayward the ideal binge for anyone craving a stylish, nerve-jangling mystery this autumn.

Wayward — Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is 

Wayward

?

Wayward is an eight-episode psychological mystery/thriller series on Netflix that explores a sinister residential “troubled teen” academy and the secrets of a small town. 

2. When did it come out / when can I watch it?

Wayward premiered on 25 September 2025 and is available to stream in full on Netflix. 

3. Who created it and who’s in the cast?

The series was created and written by Mae Martin, who also stars. Key cast members include Toni Collette, Sarah Gadon, Mae Martin, Alyvia Alyn Lind, and Sydney Topliffe, among others. 

4. What’s the basic plot?

When police officer Alex Dempsey (played by Mae Martin) moves to the seemingly idyllic town of Tall Pines with his pregnant wife, he discovers ties between her past and the mysterious Tall Pines Academy — a facility that exerts disturbing control over wayward teenagers. The show follows escape attempts, investigations, and the unravelling of town secrets. 

5. How many episodes and how long is each episode?

The series is eight episodes long. Episode runtimes vary (typical Netflix limited series runtimes range roughly 40–60 minutes per episode); check Netflix episode listings for exact lengths. 

6. What genre is it?

Wayward is a dark mystery / psychological thriller with elements of drama and LGBT themes. It also mixes tension with occasional dark humour. 

7. Is it scary? Are there trigger warnings?

The show contains unsettling and disturbing material related to abuse, coercion, cult-like manipulation, traumatic experiences, and violence connected to the “troubled teen” setting. Viewers sensitive to abuse, institutional trauma, or cult dynamics should watch with caution. Several reviews call it unnerving and spine-chilling. 

8. Is 

Wayward

 based on a true story?

No — the series is fictional, though creator Mae Martin has said the show was inspired by real-world accounts and research into controversial “troubled teen” programs. It’s important to treat the series as drama informed by real issues rather than a documentary. 

9. How has it been received by critics?

Early reviews have been broadly positive. The Guardian called it a “mesmerising mystery” and praised Toni Collette’s performance; other outlets (Mashable, TV Guide, The Independent) have also praised the show’s atmosphere, performances and twists. Rotten Tomatoes and other aggregator pages list it among the notable new releases. 

10. What is its Rotten Tomatoes score?

Aggregate scores can change as more reviews arrive; reviewers and editorial pages currently highlight strong early critical response and the series is listed among notable September 2025 premieres on Rotten Tomatoes. For the latest Tomatometer score, check the Wayward page on Rotten Tomatoes. 

11. Where is it set / where was it filmed?

The story is set in the fictional town of Tall Pines (Vermont as portrayed in-universe). Production is a Canadian/Netflix co-production — filming and production credits point to Canadian involvement. 

12. Who does Toni Collette play and is her performance notable?

Toni Collette plays Evelyn Wade, the charismatic and menacing head of the Tall Pines Academy. Critics have singled out her performance as a standout, often describing it as chilling and commanding. 

13. Is this appropriate for teens / what’s the age rating?

The show deals with mature themes (abuse, manipulation, violence). Expect a TV-MA / 18+ type rating in many regions — check the Netflix content advisory for your country for the official rating and specific content warnings. 

14. Are there subtitles / dubbed versions?

Yes — like most Netflix originals, Wayward offers subtitles and multiple audio tracks in many regions. Availability depends on your country and Netflix account settings—use the title’s page on Netflix to select language and subtitle options. 

15. How is Mae Martin’s role different from their previous work?

Mae Martin — known for the romantic-comedy/dramedy Feel Good — shifts into darker territory with Wayward, taking on creator/showrunner duties and a lead acting role in a tense mystery rather than a comedy. Critics note the tonal leap and the show’s mix of unsettling and blackly comic beats. 

16. Is it similar to any other shows?

Reviewers have compared some of its small-town, uncanny atmosphere to cultish or off-kilter dramas like Twin Peaks or Nine Perfect Strangers but emphasize that Wayward has its own voice and focuses on the “troubled teen” industry as a central theme. 

17. Will there be a season 2?

No official renewal announcement has been made yet. Since this is a limited eight-part series, any future season would depend on Netflix’s decision, ratings, viewership and creative plans. Check Netflix press releases or industry outlets for updates. 

18. Where can I read in-depth reviews?

Major outlets covering Wayward include The Guardian, The Hollywood Reporter, TV Guide, RadioTimes, The Independent, and more — those reviews are a good place to get detailed analysis and trigger-content notes. 

19. Is 

Wayward

 worth bingeing in one sitting?

Many reviewers call it binge-worthy (an eight-episode arc with escalating twists), but because of its heavy themes some viewers prefer to pace it. If you prefer intense, atmospheric mysteries, critics suggest you’ll likely want to keep watching. 

20. Where can I find the official trailer/promo?

Netflix’s official title page and the Netflix YouTube channel host the teaser/trailer for Wayward. Search “Wayward Netflix trailer” or visit the show’s Netflix page to watch.