The best small-town mysteries understand that true horror doesn't come from a monster, but from a smile that doesn't quite reach the eyes. A casserole dish offered by a neighbor who knows a little too much. It's a tradition that runs from Twin Peaks to Wayward Pines, and now, Netflix is throwing its hat into the ring with Wayward. The full trailer just dropped, and it's got one potent secret weapon: Toni Collette.
We see the idyllic town of Tall Pines—all manicured lawns and quiet streets. Into this picture-perfect nightmare moves police officer Alex Dempsey (Mae Martin) and his pregnant wife (Sarah Gadon). Almost immediately, the facade cracks. Two students from the local “academy,” Abbie and Leila (Sydney Topliffe and Alyvia Alyn Lind), are desperate to escape, whispering of things unseen. And at the center of it all is Evelyn, played by Collette with that uniquely chilling blend of warmth and menace she's perfected. She's the dangerously charismatic founder of the school, promising happiness while her eyes hint at something far more unsettling.
The trailer is a masterclass in building unease. It's not about jump scares; it's about dissonance. A frog sits unnaturally still. A door promises that “nothing is what it seems.” The locals are a little too friendly, a little too placid. The question isn't just what is happening in Tall Pines, but how deep it goes. Is it a cult? A twisted social experiment? The trailer wisely withholds answers, focusing instead on the palpable dread of discovering that your new home is a gilded cage.
This is a significant project for co-creator and star Mae Martin, following their critically adored series Feel Good. To pivot from that show's raw, comedic autobiography to a genre-bending thriller is a bold move. Teaming with co-showrunner Ryan Scott and a writers' room that includes talents like Evangeline Ordaz and Kim Steele, they're building a world with a specific, eerie pedigree. Directing duties are handled by Euros Lyn (His Dark Materials, Daredevil), Renuka Jeyapalan, and John Fawcett—the latter being a name that should perk up the ears of any horror fan, having co-created the brilliant werewolf series Ginger Snaps. That's a team that understands the mechanics of suspense.
Netflix is clearly positioning this as a flagship fall mystery. A September 25th, 2025, release date gives it prime real estate as the weather turns and audiences crave something spooky. With Collette's star power—an actor who can elevate any material into must-see television—and a premise ripe for weekly theorizing, Wayward has all the ingredients to be the next watercooler sensation. But will it stick the landing? These shows live or die on their mythology. The trailer promises the secrets are worth uncovering; let's hope the payoff is behind that door.
What to Know Before Wayward Arrives
The Premise: A police officer and two students investigate the dark secrets of an idyllic town and its mysterious academy for troubled teens, led by Toni Collette's enigmatic Evelyn.
The Creative Force: Co-created by and starring comedian Mae Martin (Feel Good), a significant genre pivot that brings a sharp writer's voice to the thriller format.
The Director's Chair: Includes John Fawcett, a horror veteran who co-created the cult classic film Ginger Snaps, signaling a serious approach to the genre's tropes.
The Tone: Leans into eerie, slow-burn dissonance rather than overt horror, evoking classics of the “sinister suburbia” subgenre.
The Release: Mark your calendars for a full binge-drop on September 25th, 2025, exclusively on Netflix worldwide.
So, what's really behind that door in Tall Pines? Place your bets now.
Source: Netflix YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kSNuohhKyc
