When police officer Alex Dempsey (Mae Martin) and his pregnant wife Laura (Sarah Gaddon) enter their new hometown of Tall Pines, it seems almost too good to be true. While Laura sniffs the outside air, Alex laughs in disbelief: “This is so …” “Normal?” Add Laura. “So normal!” Says Alex, looking at the restaurants and hip shops in the picturesque town. “What did you expect?” Laura asks.
Has been arousing from the beginning Wayward The impression that behind the façade of friendly greeting neighbors and perfectly mowed lawns lies something dark. With sometimes some predictable horror clichés – foggy forests, drug -using teenagers and cracking doors leading to dark cellars – the series leads the viewer to Tall Pines Academy, the local problem for problem youngsters.
That school is led by the quirky Evelyn (Toni Collette), who keeps the children in line with its own dubious methods. When Alex comes into contact with Leila and Abby, two students who are preparing a desperate and at the same time humorous escape attempt, the Pandora box is opened and has no other option to dive deeper into the sinister practices of the school.
Self -help cells
The Canadian comedian Mae Martin not only plays the leading role as Alex, but is also creator, co-showrunner and executive producer of the eight-part series. The project, which interweaves thriller and horror elements with humor, was a long-held wish for the comedian. In an interview with NBC News Martin tells how his best friend at the age of sixteen was sent from Canada to an American institution for ‘difficult youngsters’ and returned with the most disturbing stories: starving, sleeping process and even the order to dig her own grave and to stand it at night. Martins aroused these testimonies in the practices and origins of the American Troubled Teen Industrywhich can be traced back on self -help cults from the seventies. This industry consists of institutions and camps that promote strict behavioral programs under the name of re -education, but in practice are often associated with abuse, coercion and serious human rights violations.
To this decor, the series also tells a story about the metamorphosis from teenager to adult and intergenerational trauma, and touches the question: how far can parents and institutions go in the name of discipline and protection? Wayward Answered this via the practices of Tall Pines Academy, where students are subject to manipulative rituals, strict rules and physical hardship-all packaged as necessary re-education, but in reality means of control and psychological suppression.
The impressive acting gives depth to the clichés of Wayward. Toni Collette gives a master class in creating a subcutaneous threat, effortlessly changing between caring local resident and chilling cult leader. Alyvia Alyn Lind plays the role of Leila with so much sincerity that you would prefer to close her in your arms afterwards.
But it is precisely that strong acting work works for Martin somewhat to his disadvantage. Compared to the craftsmanship of Collette and Alyn Lind, Martin is almost colorless, so that the credibility of the character Alex is staggering. Maybe Martin’s next project is stronger if it remains behind the scenes, but that does not mean that Wayward A compelling mini series is worth watching.
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