Incontrolables

Wayward has just enough intrigue and mystery to make you binge it across the finish line, but still kinda underwhelming once you reach there. Like others have pointed out, the lead actor Mae Martin is just not on the same level as the other actors. When you have pros like Toni Collette and Sarah Gadon supporting, you really need to up your game, its not that Martin is bad (they were great in Feel Good), just very one-note, always this deer in the headlights expression. I know Martin was the creator of the story, but they should of given Alex's role to a more accomplished actor. I thought the rest of the cast were good to great, standouts being the 2 girls that portrayed Abbie and Stacey. I've always been a sucker for these weird mysterious tales, and also very forgiving for plotholes, however this one was kinda disappointing, especially with all the talent involved. Enjoyable in flashes while it last, but i will have forgotten everything in a few weeks....

What a sad world we live in, the online world is getting really insufferable - this series is barely out and the first reviews here are from people who rage against an actor who happens to be trans.

His performance was very decent btw - he did the best he could with a character that just isn't that deep or developed during the show.

For me personally the show was overall decent due to the very good actors. Otherwise I feel I've seen this subject too much already - in the last years it's all about trauma trauma trauma, manipulation, cults, people being unspeakably cruel.. Although I think it's very good and important these themes are getting attention, I can't stomach another emotionally triggering show or movie.. at this point in time reality is triggering enough..

However i am sure this show will help someone out there..

Most shows that include LGBTQ+ characters tend to focus heavily on their identity, instead of allowing them to simply exist in their everyday lives. What I loved about this series is how realistic it felt: the trans character faces comments or makes jokes themselves, but the plot is not built around their identity. On top of that, there's another LGBTQ+ character casually woven into the story - it felt authentic, not forced.

The narrative is gripping, and I loved how smoothly my feelings towards the characters shifted from sympathy to frustration and back again. It's a great watch for a weekend - I binged it in two evenings. As someone who's into true crime and psychology, it hit the right spot for me: suspenseful, engaging, and easy to relate to.

My only real critique: the ending. It felt a bit too subtle and didn't quite match the intensity of the rest of the series. Still, overall, a fantastic autumn weekend binge that I'd happily recommend!

This could have so much better. Not one question brought up in the story was resolved. Maybe the plan was to resolve them in a second season, but I doubt they get a second season. Acting was not great either. Martin had no range of emotions. Actually the 2 teenage girls might have been the best actors in the cast. I feel like I wasted my time.

I binged Wayward in a single day because the mystery, Toni Collette's magnetic performance as the academy director, and the phenomenal child actors kept my attention. Unfortunately, the show stumbles where it matters most: the central couple.

Mae Martin, who is non binary and plays Alex, simply doesn't carry the weight this role demands. Their youthful look works in some contexts but makes the marriage to Laura feel more like mother and son than spouses. The lack of believable chemistry is striking, and it drains tension from scenes that should feel emotionally charged.

The problem isn't their identity, it's the performance. Alex is meant to be a grounded, authoritative police officer, but the portrayal feels more like an inexperienced high schooler. Combined with inconsistent character motivations, illogical decisions, and unresolved elements of the academy, these issues undermine the otherwise strong atmosphere. For example, Laura's abrupt behavioral shifts, Alex's questionable choices, and the ambiguous fates of other characters leave significant gaps in the story.

The real standouts are the kids and Toni Collette, who steal every scene and make the series watchable despite its flaws.

Overall, Wayward has style, mystery, and standout supporting performances, but weak acting from the lead and unresolved plot issues prevent it from fully succeeding.