Sun Sep 28 05:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Toni Collette Terrifies as Academy Leader in Netflix’s “Wayward”

**Vermont, USA** – Netflix’s new mystery drama, “Wayward,” plunges into the dark world of the “troubled teen industry” with Toni Collette delivering a mesmerizing performance as Evelyn Wade, the enigmatic and unsettling leader of Tall Pines Academy.

Set in 2003, “Wayward” follows Alex Dempsey (played by Mae Martin), a cop who relocates to Vermont with his pregnant wife, Laura (Sarah Gadon), seeking a fresh start. Their idyllic life is soon disrupted by the unsettling presence of Tall Pines Academy, an institution promising to rehabilitate troubled teenagers. Collette’s portrayal of Evelyn Wade, the academy’s director, is drawing significant attention. She masterfully blends subtle menace with a compelling, almost theatrical aura, creating a character that is both terrifying and captivating.

As Alex investigates the disappearance of a runaway from the academy, he uncovers a disturbing undercurrent of control and manipulation. These suspicions deepen with the revelation that Laura was once a student at the academy, and Evelyn continues to wield an unsettling influence over her.

Meanwhile, a parallel storyline follows two Toronto teenagers, Leila and Abbie, whose friendship leads to Abbie’s forced enrollment in Tall Pines. The academy is revealed as a place of cult-like rituals, abusive practices, and disturbing power dynamics, with Evelyn at the center of it all.

While “Wayward” attempts to tackle multiple themes including the exploitative nature of the troubled teen industry and the challenges faced by modern youth, it is Collette’s chilling performance that anchors the series. Her ability to embody a character whose influence borders on the unholy is undeniably compelling.

“Wayward” is a stylish and watchable mystery with its exploration of manipulation and vulnerability. While the show’s ambition might slightly outweigh its execution, the warmth and intelligence brought by Mae Martin and the supporting cast, along with Toni Collette’s stellar performance, make it a worthwhile watch.

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