Before I begin, these words, reflections, observations and opinions are all my own. Please don’t come at anyone else. This review is based on how the series made me think, feel and escape reality, along with a few words on my growing crush on Mae Martin. If YOU don’t have a crush on Mae after watching Wayward, you were dead from the start.
I am in shock that IMBD and Rotten Tomatoes viewers rated this series a 5 out of 10. That’s ludicrous. This Netflix series has it all. From the stellar cast, so perfectly placed in each role, to the colour palette giving us all that cosy autumnal glow, to the dialogue, twists, turns and general underlying creepiness of it all. Not one actor stepped out of place, all fitting into their role exceptionally, from Toni Collette – who excels as the creepy lead counsellor with a little tongue in cheek to Alyvia Alyn Lind who reminds me of someone but I’m not sure if that’s my mind playing tricks and she’s just so instantly familiar and perfect for the role that she feels like your best friend from the very beginning.
I won’t share spoilers as if you’ve not seen it, you’re in for a real treat, but I will share my own thoughts and feelings.
Wayward Synopsis
Wayward takes on four points of view. One, Leila, a teen set on self destruction after the death of her sister and the apathy radiating from her mother.
Abbie, a sheep happy to follow Leila’s lead, sick of the control in her own home, she wants to break free.
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Laura, a pregnant former student of Tall Pines, who has moved back to the community to raise her imminent child with her husband.
Alex, the husband of Laura, the small town cop who is new to the job with no previous connection and a very suspicious mind.
Through these four we see all aspects of Tall Pines town and school, the wider community alongside the academy that is revered by the residents of the town and loathed by the pupils within it. We follow their tumultuous journeys as they uncover secrets, about themselves and others, navigate numerous challenges and discover it’s best to trust no one. That’s all I’ll say or spoilers will abound.
The setting, Vermont, is an area of outstanding natural beauty with a population of invasive bullfrogs that provide a ticking backdrop concerto to every outdoor frame. The buildings, the architecture, the town, the permanent feeling of golden dusk lull us into a false sense of cosy security as we try to shake off the creepiness within. Yet it’s not the setting that caught my eye.
Let’s Take a Look at Mae Martin AKA Alex Dempsey
As Alex Dempsey enters on screen you’ll probably, if you’ve not seen them before, give your head a little shake. I thought, “this is the most attractive man I’ve ever seen, so stunningly beautiful he can’t be real.” Alex is the definition of the ideal man. Glowing skin, a big, beautiful smile, fit, huggable body, gorgeous behind, the kindest eyes and an empathy that seems to radiate from every single pore even before they’ve said a single word. Sublime, just absolutely sublime.
When the series ended I had to Google, to find out where else this talent shared their incredible skill with the world and I was a little disappointed to discover that acting is relatively new, apart from a series called Feel Good (which I’ll be watching tonight) as Mae Martin began their career as a comedian and. TV host. Yet the discovery is not without hope, as I feel Mae will go on to star in so much more now the cat is out of the bag. Their relationship on screen with the often vacant Laura (Played effortlessly by Sarah Gadon) is believable, intense and, in the beginning, something we all aspire to. In this, Alex is the protector, the man ion the house, but as the series progresses it shows just how fluid this concept is, in any relationship, and who is really in control.
I’ve focused a lot on Alex’s appearance, I apologise, it’s a crush, however this should not deflect from the supreme acting ability that made me believe Alex truly cared about their family, and the students of Tall Pine’s Academy from the very start. It seems so easy that it would be fair to summarise this empathy exists in real life.
Sarah Godon and Toni Collette (Laura and Evelyn)
Sarah Gordon shines as a heavily pregnant wife who’s intelligent, manipulative but also loveable and a leader. He relationship on screen with Toni (Evelyn) is a triumph as they master the interfering mum / independent daughter role despite being pupil and teacher. Through their acting alone you feel the strangle hold Evelyn has over Laura and Laura’s piggy in the middle dilemma between new honeymoon husband and former caregiver.
Toni meanwhile sizzles with sinister intentions. A lot of the disquiet appears in words unsaid, a cruel look from behind NHS two tone spectacles, a small snarl of the wide menacing mouth, it’s a feeling and where the show excels in showing, rather than telling. This would only be possible with a stellar cast.
Alyvia and Sydney Topliffe (Leila and Abbie)
Alyvia pulls you into the story from the beginning as, despite her self destructive ways, you care about her personal journey. Abbie, meanwhile, I could take or leave yet she’s integral to the plot to show the cracks that can form between friends who have promised to be besties forever. Sydney is not a bad actress, far from it. She’s just as good as the rest, however the script didn’t really give her anything juicy to work with except her puppy love for her best friend.
Jack Bauer’s daughter in 24! That’s who Alyvia reminds me of! Elisha Cuthbert, especially when playing the star in the Girl Next Door.
Like with Mae Martin, it’s going to be exciting to see where these end up next.
A special shout out goes out to Isolde Ardies who plays creepy, I want to punch her in the face, Stacey. She wound me up from the very start her acting is so on point. She adores Tall Pines but is an egg mayo sandwich short of a packed lunch. If a Carrie remake is to be made, she should be the star, after she’s resurrected from the grave. If you’d like a deeper look into the stars of the show, their Instagrams (some of which I’ve linked in here) and other films they’ve made, this Tudum article on Netflix is your place to go.
The Sex Scene (tiny spoiler)
I may be alone in this, maybe I’m odd, maybe you’ll all disagree but the main sex scene in Wayward is the most erotic sensual scene I’ve witnessed in a very long time. Maybe I’m just catching feelings in recovery as for 14 years this month is the very first that I’ve been on absolutely nothing. That’s another addiction story for another day. Back to the sex. You can feel the heat radiating from the screen, the chemistry between Alex and Laura, the shifting power dynamic as Laura takes charge, despite Alex being the man of the house. It’s enthralling and sensational, beautiful and so very erotic. Keep an eye out for it.
In summary, one of the very best Netflix dramas I’ve seen in recent years. Completely binge worthy, a cast you want to befriend instantly, wholesome, yet gruesome, and gives food for thought for anyone who’s ever struggled with the child / parent dynamic as a teenager.
We adored this series and really hope for a series 2. In the meantime, we’re watching the Ed Gein story with full thoughts coming soon.