Netflix has unveiled the trailer for the new horror seriesWaywardstarring Toni Collette. The streamer is known for its terrifying series, particularly those overseen byMike Flanagan, and though the director now calls Prime Video home, Netflix is still looking to frighten audiences this fall.
The trailer forWaywardreveals a mysterious school of some sort, and it looks like there will be some strange goings-on. Collette makes an appearance as one of the school’s officials, briefly popping in at the end of the trailer to deliver a devious smile. Check it out below:
In addition to the trailer,EWspoke with star Mae Martin, star, co-showrunner, and executive producer forWayward,who revealed their inspiration for the series:
“As a teenager, my best friend got sent to a troubled teen institute. We grew up in Canada, and she was sent to the States. I was so shocked by the stories that she had about it when she came back and started researching that industry, which, especially at the time, was so unregulated and opaque and questionable in its practices. So even when I was about 20, 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.”
The official synopsis forWaywardcan be read below as well:
After an escape attempt from an academy for “troubled teens”, two students join forces with a newly local police officer, unearthing the town’s dark and deeply rooted secrets. Wayward stars Mae Martin, Sarah Gadon, Sydney Topliffe, Alyvia Alyn Lind, Brandon Jay McLaren, and Toni Collette.
What Wayward’s Release Means For Netflix
Does The Streamer Have A New Horror Hit On Its Hands?
Flanagan’s collaborations with Netflix have led to massive success for the director and the streamer. Still, Netflix has seen mixed results withoriginal horror seriesoutside of Flanagan’s work - some have taken off while others have faced premature cancellation. Right now, it’s unclear ifWaywardis meant to be an ongoing series or a miniseries in the mold of Flangan’s output, but it already has a few things going for it.
For one, its premise is inherently gripping and the starpower of Collette is sure to make horror aficionados excited thanks to her turn inAri Aster’sHereditary, widely considered one of the best horror performances of all time.Waywardis also releasing at the perfect time, hitting the streamer on September 25, right as the Halloween season begins. It should be a good launching pad for a lengthy run in the streamer’s top 10 if it clicks with audiences.
Our Take On The Wayward Trailer
The Cryptic Clip Is Clearly Hiding Something Darker
In typical horror trailer fashion, theWaywardtease is mostly composed of creepy clips taken out of context, so it’s hard to parse what exactly is going on at Tall Pines. One thing is clear, though - something isn’t right with the school seemingly overseen by Collette’s character. It’s a promising first look and Collette alone is enough to garner interest.
Still, to set itself apart,Waywardmust have a complex and engaging central mystery. With Martin’s comments about the real life inspiration behind the series hinting at a personal connection to the story, it could makeWaywardan all the more tragic tale about what happens to kids who get left behind.
