Netflix viewers share the same complaint about the "messed-up mind f**k" series, as the ending is explained.
The streaming service released the new psychological thriller series, Wayward, on September 25, and it quickly rose to the top of the streamer’s most-watched chart.
The eight-part series tells the story of Alex (Mae Martin), a cop investigating a teen institution known as Tall Pines Academy, where manipulation and abuse are central to the twisted events.
Toni Collette's portrayal of Evelyn Wade, the controlling and sinister headteacher, has been praised as "utterly magnificent," by The Guardian, and the show has even been called “the best conspiracy thriller of 2025".
However, the finale has sparked a debate among fans. In a chat with Netflix Tudum, creator Martin explained the intentional ambiguity of the ending.
“I like the moral ambiguity and gray area of the finale. I hope people feel satisfied that they watched a really messed-up kind of fairy tale," they said. But not everyone feels that way.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
The Confusing, Trippy Finale
In the finale, Alex finds herself caught in a life-or-death struggle against Evelyn (portrayed by Collette).
After discovering the body of a missing student, Daniel, Alex is captured by her corrupt partner, Dwayne, and taken to a cell where Evelyn conducts her sinister “Leap” ceremony.
This ritual involves injecting students with hallucinogenic toad venom, severing their emotional ties, and leaving them incapable of empathy.
Amidst the chaos, Alex manages to break free, stabbing Evelyn with the drug and seemingly putting an end to her reign of terror.
But things take a dark turn when Evelyn has her own version of the Leap.
In a haunting sequence, she sees herself in a dark, limbo-like space after reaching into her own mouth, leaving her fate ambiguous.
It has not been revealed whether she is dead, trapped in a psychological purgatory, or simply hallucinating.
According to Variety, Martin has speculated that Evelyn is "a vegetable," unable to escape her own mind, but fans are still left wondering what it all means for her character in the potential future of the series.
Unanswered Questions and Frustrations
While the finale answered some questions, it left many others unresolved, leaving fans with a sense of confusion.
"Wayward was promising and idk the ending was not delivered correctly," one viewer wrote on social media. Another added: “Wayward just pissed me off w** was the ending.”
"Wayward on Netflix was good! I binged watched the whole thing just for the ending to be soooooo …" a third disappointed viewer penned.
A fourth person expressed their frustration: “Finished Wayward last night and that ending was very disappointing….It left me with more questions."
They questioned the fates of characters like Laila, who appears to have been brainwashed by Evelyn into believing she killed her sister.
Meanwhile, Abbie escapes the turmoil but is left with no clear direction or future. In a twist of fate, Alex, who initially intended to escape with the baby to start anew, ultimately returns to Laura and the cult-like town, leaving Abbie to fend for herself.
As the series ends on a note of ambiguity, viewers can only hope that the creator will address the unanswered questions in a potential season two.
You can stream Wayward on Netflix.