This is the bizarre inspiration behind the Netflix thriller Wayward
Just before the spooky season really kicked off, Netflix treated us to a little warm-up. Not with a bloody horror movie, but with a thriller series that might be even more intense. ‘Wayward’ takes us to Tall Pines; a seemingly idyllic town, but behind the doors of the local school, dark secrets lurk. The story may not be based on true events, but the creators drew a lot of inspiration from real life. And those stories are truly bizarre.
The dark secret of Tall Pines
Police officer Alex Dempsey (Mae Martin) moves with his wife Laura (Sarah Gadon) to Tall Pines. The small town is Laura's hometown and a place where, according to her, everyone knows and helps each other. But Alex has a bad feeling about their new home from the start, especially when he meets Evelyn Wade (Toni Collette), the mysterious principal of the local school. Evelyn seems to have quite a bit to hide. Those suspicions are further confirmed when Alex encounters Abbie (Sydney Topliffe) and Leila (Alyvia Alyn Lind). The two friends have been sent to Tall Pines Academy to overcome their drug addiction, but they want nothing more than to escape. According to them, the youth at the school are not being helped at all, but are actually in danger. The students join forces with Alex to unravel the dark secrets of the town and bring the truth to light. But in a community where everyone believes in the same story, that is not so easy.
The real-life inspiration of creator Mae Martin
The story of ‘Wayward’ is not based on true events, but the idea for the series didn't come out of nowhere. Creator Mae Martin drew inspiration from their best friend Nicole. The two were inseparable until Nicole was taken from her bed in the middle of the night and sent to a therapeutic school; one that suspiciously resembles Tall Pines. She was gone for two years until she managed to escape barefoot while hitchhiking. Once back, she told the most bizarre stories about what really happened at the school. Martin always felt guilty about this. What if they had gone to help Nicole? What would that have looked like? Those questions form the basis for the friendship of Abbie and Leila in the series. Nicole also gave advice during the filming and even played a tiny guest role.
How a cult shaped the story of ‘Wayward’
Martin also researched the world of cults, particularly the religious movement Synanon. The community was founded in 1958 by Charles Dederich and was known as an addiction treatment program. Synanon became infamous for the ‘Game’: a therapeutic exercise where participants shouted at each other about what they really thought of the other. This method is reflected in the series in the ‘Hot-Seat Game’ of Tall Pines Academy, which leads to intense and uncomfortable scenes. Initially, Synanon tolerated no violence, but after a while, Dederich approved of it, and abuse began to occur. When the community was sued, the situation escalated completely. Several members placed a snake in the mailbox of their accuser. The incident marked the beginning of a major investigation and attempts at multiple new lawsuits. Dederich lost his position within the community, and Synanon's reputation worsened. Partly because of this, and significant financial problems, the cult officially ended in 1991.
The hidden drama of the problematic teen industry in ‘Wayward’
‘Wayward’ is not just an exciting series for a binge night; Martin wanted to draw attention to the problematic teen industry. A network of camps and therapeutic schools that claim to help youth, but where abuse and manipulation often occur in reality. Various influences from The Academy at Ivy Ridge, Okeechobee School, and Dozier School for Boys can therefore be seen in the series. The fact that Abbie is ‘abducted’ to the school without warning really happens in such institutions. The system in which students are divided into ranks that must earn privileges is also based on reality. Mistakes are punished, and even your mattress can be taken away. And that's just the beginning of the list. ‘Wayward’ ends up being a bit darker than you might initially think.
Will ‘Wayward’ get a season 2?
‘Wayward’ is officially labeled a ‘miniseries’, which in many cases means it will remain at one season. However, that is not so certain here. Creator and lead actor Martin sees opportunities for more. “I was told it was a miniseries, but I think there's definitely more to tell. We essentially left all those characters in a crisis.” Toni Collette, who plays Evelyn, is also open to a sequel. “It's endlessly intriguing. Infinite. It could certainly go to so many places.” Series like ‘Big Little Lies’ and ‘Bad Sisters’ have already proven that miniseries can have a longer life; and as far as we're concerned, this thriller can definitely be added to that list. Whether a second season will come remains just as exciting as the series itself for now. ‘Wayward’ is now available on Netflix.
Image: Netflix
