Wayward: The Story of a Real Cult and a Fake School

The Netflix series Wayward is a horror story inspired by real cults and troubled teen schools.

Wayward: fact and fiction

Netflix’s new thriller series Wayward skyrocketed to the top 10 upon release.

But the most shocking thing is that its story isn’t entirely fictional—it’s based on real events.

The Story of Tall Pines Academy

The school, Tall Pines Academy, depicted in the series, appears to be a “therapeutic institute” from the outside, but inside, children are subjected to mental and physical abuse.

A leader named Evelyn Wade (Toni Collette) brainwashes them into becoming part of her cult.

Where did the original inspiration come from?

Creator Mae Martin explained that Wayward was inspired by the experiences of her closest friend, Nicole.

Nicole was forcibly abducted in the middle of the night and sent to a similar school, where she spent two years.

She eventually escaped by running barefoot through the woods.

Mae admitted that the incident left her with deep guilt and questions, and this friendship formed the foundation of the show’s characters, Abbie and Leila.

Troubled Teen Industry and the Impact of Cults

Although Tall Pines Academy isn’t a real place, it’s inspired by troubled teen institutes in America.

This industry was born from the way the famous 70s cult Synanon popularized the concepts of “tough love” and “attack therapy.”

Mae said the show’s goal isn’t just to create a thriller, but also to spark a conversation about the industry.

Stories scarier than reality

There are many stories like Nicole’s, where children were broken in the name of “reformation.”

Mae said that many survivors still struggle to find their true identities even years later.

That’s why Wayward isn’t just a series, but a reflection of voices that have long been suppressed.

Where to watch Wayward?

If you want to watch this dark yet thought-provoking story, all eight episodes of Wayward are currently available for streaming on Netflix.