Bingeworthy thriller Wayward stands strong with “one of the sharpest spikes in streaming history”

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Mae Martin’s new Netflix thriller, *Wayward*, is still attracting a lot of viewers after a big jump in numbers last week. After being out for just over two weeks, here’s what’s making the series so popular.

This eight-episode series takes place in the town of Tall Pines and centers on police officer Alex Dempsey (played by Martin) as they uncover disturbing events happening at a youth facility for troubled teenagers.

The series *Wayward*, starring Toni Collette and Sarah Gadon, quickly became popular on Netflix, reaching the number one spot upon its release. It’s still performing well, currently ranking at number nine (according to FlixPatrol).

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The show saw a massive jump in viewers last week. According to Variety (reporting through Boardroom), it experienced a 3,537% increase from the week before – one of the biggest increases ever recorded for a streaming series.

The thriller series was a hit with both audiences and critics. It currently has a 78% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 54 reviews.

In a review for Digital Spy, we noted that *Wayward* is a significant departure for Mae Martin, differing greatly from the personal and relatable style of *Feel Good* and their stand-up performances.

The title *Wayward* is a better choice than the originally proposed *Tall Pines*. This new series is a surprising thriller where Martin completely breaks from convention, blending horror and comedy in a strange and unsettling way.

We noted that *Wayward* is a welcome and unexpected addition to the thriller genre, and not just a surprising move for its creator, Martin. The show’s ending also leaves the door open for many more seasons.

TIME Magazine also highly recommended the show, noting that it tackles sensitive and controversial issues – like transgender identity and the troubled teen industry – with nuance and context, avoiding overly simplistic or biased arguments.

According to reviews, Wayward stands out from many of the typical, visually appealing but ultimately shallow thrillers currently being released by streaming services. The Independent praised it as uniquely odd and entertaining, and The Guardian described it as stylish and highly watchable.

Wayward is streaming on Netflix now.

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2025-10-13 18:49