Mae Martin’s New Netflix Thriller ‘Wayward’ Looks Creepy AF—And We’re In

Feature image: Michael Gibson/Netflix

If you’ve only known Mae Martin (above, right) as the sweet, self-deprecating comic behind Feel Good, then prepare yourself. Their new Netflix series Wayward is a full-on psychological thriller—and from the looks of the teaser trailer, it’s not holding back on the chills.

Created by and starring Martin, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, Wayward follows Alex Dempsey (Martin), a small-town cop who’s just moved to the picturesque town of Tall Pines with his pregnant wife. But what starts as a fresh start quickly warps into something sinister, especially when two teenage girls from the local “academy for troubled teens” try to blow the whistle on whatever the hell is happening at this creepy compound in the woods.

The head of this academy is Evelyn Wade, played by Toni Collette (above, left) in full unsettling mode. “Evelyn is a powerful, intense, and mysterious figure in the town,” Collette told Entertainment Weekly. “We start the series not really understanding how or why she wields such authority, but as the story unfolds, so does the complex nature of Evelyn’s history and purpose.” Translation: she’s probably hiding bodies.

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The inspiration for Wayward is deeply personal for Martin, who told EW, “As a teenager, my best friend got sent to a troubled teen institute… I always knew that I wanted to write something about that industry and about adolescence and the way that we deal with troubled teens. It’s really like a lifelong passion project.”

Martin also told Netflix’s Tudum the vibe is “like if you took the kids from Booksmart and put them in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” The series blends dark humor with very real terror, as Alex gets pulled deeper into the town’s secrets, questioning not only what’s happening around him but also who he is and what he’s willing to compromise for belonging.

“I definitely have felt that in my life,” Martin said. “We deal with the question, How much are you willing to lose and sacrifice of yourself and your authenticity in order to get that community?”

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The show also stars Sarah Gadon (above, center) as Alex’s wife Laura, Brandon Jay McLaren as his partner on the force, and newcomers Sydney Topliffe and Alyvia Alyn Lind as the teens who spark the investigation. The teaser shows them running through the woods, whispering secrets, and trying to escape whatever twisted curriculum Tall Pines has planned for them.

Martin promises the series “really escalates to darkness” but maintains a “brightness to it and a levity.” It’s a horror show, but one that understands how weird and funny life can be, even when things are terrifying. “If you put a teenager in a life-or-death situation, there’s a chance they’ll get the giggles,” Martin said.

Wayward premieres September 25 on Netflix. Stock up on nightlights.