Netflix’s new mystery thriller series Wayward has built up some massive hype since its release on September 25, 2025, but is it really worth binge-watching?
Already being called one of Netflix’s weirdest original series of all time, Wayward has divided critics and at-home viewers, earning a Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes score of 78% compared to an audience score of just 49%.
Despite this mixed reception, Wayward skyrocketed to the top of Netflix’s Top 10 TV Shows in the U.S. list just days after release, pulling in 8.2 million views in its first week alone. The numbers certainly tell one story, but Screen Rant is here to break down the pros and cons to determine if Wayward is really worth your time.
Why You Should Press Play On Wayward
Wayward has one of the most unique premises of any Netflix show you’ll see this year. Part coming-of-age drama and part crime mystery thriller, Wayward’s biggest intrigue is discovering what exactly is going on at this so-called academy for troubled teenagers, which often veers into cult and institutionalization territory.
Fans of classic films like Girl, Interrupted and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest will surely see some notes of inspiration within Wayward. It’s almost as if those medical dramas set in psychiatric hospitals were tonally combined with Ari Aster’s breakthrough film Midsommar, due to the cultish themes, psychedelic influences, and a complete revision of reality.
Wayward also features a very strong ensemble cast led by the incomparable Toni Collette. Series creator Mae Martin also stars in the series as protagonist Alex Dempsey, a local cop who becomes stuck in the middle of the strange dynamics within this apparently idyllic town called Tall Pines in Vermont.
Why You May Want To Pass On Wayward
As its title suggests, Wayward is a bit odd and totally “out-there”, which will likely make you either love it or hate it. Due to some of the graphic content in the series, especially concerning mental health, Wayward has the capacity to get quite dark without ever becoming overly depressing.
Wayward feels as though it was created through a sharp lens of introspection and tackles some heavy subjects pertaining to generational trauma, addiction, abuse, and other forms of violence. Several of its characters are reality-adjacent, emotionally unstable, and ultimately unhealthy, which can be fascinating while also potentially being uncomfortable for some viewers.
If you’re looking for a new series to unwind to, Wayward probably isn’t it. It does, however, offer some interesting perspectives, even if they arrive at the expense of a fully-realized and grippingly immersive story.
Binge Or Skip – Our Expert Recommendation