Entertainment3 min(s) read
Netflix fans are terrified of falling asleep after watching disturbing new thriller
Netflix has a new hit on its hands with Wayward, a chilling thriller series that’s already terrifying audiences and climbing the streamer’s Top 10 chart just days after release. Fans have described it as “impossible to look away from,” with some even admitting they’re too scared to sleep after watching.
Created and written by Canadian comedian and writer Mae Martin, the series (which has already received a cool 78% on Rotten Tomatoes) blends suspense with deeply personal storytelling. Martin, best known for the acclaimed dramedy Feel Good (with an astounding 100% on Rotten Tomatoes), drew inspiration for Wayward from their own teenage experiences in the early 2000s.
The eight-part thriller is set in the seemingly picturesque town of Tall Pines, where an academy claims to provide refuge for so-called “troubled teens.” But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the institution hides sinister secrets.
Mae Martin takes the lead
In Wayward, Martin stars as PC Alex, a small-town police officer who begins to question the academy’s reputation. Alex, a non-binary trans man who uses they/them pronouns, crosses paths with best friends Abbie and Leila, two students plotting their escape from Tall Pines Academy.
As Alex digs deeper, they uncover disturbing truths about the school, where systemic abuse lurks behind closed doors. The institution is run by the enigmatic Evelyn Wade, played by Toni Collette, whose chilling performance has been singled out by critics and fans alike.
The official Netflix synopsis teases: “A small-town cop suspects that the local school for troubled teens and its dangerously charismatic founder may not be all it seems.”
Viewers are hooked (and spooked)
Since its debut last week, Wayward has sparked a flood of reactions across social media, with many praising the story’s tension and the cast’s performances. Some, however, admitted the series left them unsettled late into the night.
One viewer posted: “Just finished episode 1 of #Wayward and WOW. I sense another sleepless night.” Another agreed: “It’s absolutely terrifying… I gotta watch The Office just to go to sleep.”
Others confessed they were already deep into binge sessions: “This is day 2 of watching #Wayward and I’m hooked,” one fan wrote. Another added: “Just started watching Wayward & it’s actually really good… I’m hooked.”
The praise didn’t stop there. A fifth fan gushed: “Wayward on Netflix is a 10/10 from start to finish. It’s so detailed. The characters’ backstories are well explained. To top it off, Toni Collette’s performance was excellent. Definitely will pull you in & have you binge-watching real bad.”
A new Netflix obsession
With its mix of small-town mystery, psychological suspense, and a powerhouse cast led by Mae Martin and Toni Collette, Wayward is proving to be one of Netflix’s must-watch thrillers of the year. For many, it’s the kind of show you can’t turn off (even if it means losing sleep).