Netflix Drops Gripping Trailer for New Psychological Thriller Series — and It Looks Menacingly Mysterious

Toni Collette as Evelyn Wade in "Wayward"

(Image credit: Netflix)

“Welcome to Tall Pines … we think you’ll be very happy here.” How’s that for a chilling tagline?

“Wayward” is an upcoming psychological thriller series, and the new full-length trailer gives a deeper look at this mysterious town and its residents. At the center is Evelyn Wade, head of a school for troubled teens that promises to “solve the problem of adolescence.”

Toni Collette is the ominous figure in question, delivering a menacing performance in the two-minute footage that highlights her incredible talent. Releasing on September 25, this limited series is already on my must-binge list.

Wayward | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube

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This new trailer offers viewers a longer look at the eerie world of “Wayward.” Colette’s character, Evelyn, introduces Tall Pines Academy through a promotional video on a TV, interspersed with chilling shots hinting at the show’s darker, horror-filled side.

At first, Evelyn’s message paints the school as a safe haven where troubled teens can grow and benefit from innovative therapeutic methods. But it doesn’t take long for the sinister reality of Tall Pines to start surfacing.

Peering over her imposing glasses, Evelyn addresses a new student being forcibly held back: “I can’t wait for you to meet the new you.”

Enter Alex, Mae Martin’s character — a police officer who relocates to the small town and begins probing the academy. As he digs deeper, he uncovers Evelyn’s deep involvement in the school’s inner workings and becomes determined to expose the unsettling truths lurking beneath the surface.

Few things hint at a dark mystery quite like this one, and I’m even more intrigued after hearing Martin’s striking elevator pitch for the series: “It’s like if you took the kids from Booksmart and put them in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” they told Netflix Tudum.

The show’s official synopsis reads: “Nothing is what it seems in Tall Pines. 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.”

Stream all 8 episodes of "Wayward" on Netflix starting September 25.

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Alix is a Senior Streaming Writer at Tom’s Guide, which basically means watching the best movies and TV shows and then writing about them. It’s a dream job for someone who’s been obsessed with storytelling since she first figured out how to work a remote.

Before joining Tom’s Guide, Alix honed her skills as a staff writer with outlets like Screen Rant and Bough Digital, where she discovered her love for the entertainment industry.

She heads to the cinema every week as a tradition, no matter what’s showing. For her, movies aren’t just entertainment — they’re a ritual, a comfort, and a constant source of inspiration. When she’s not at her desk or at the cinema, you’ll probably find her deep into a horror video game on her PC.

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