In the world of glitz and glamour, celebrities like Paris Hilton have often blown the whistle about harrowing experiences faced in residential institutions catering to "troubled teens". Drawing inspiration from their personal trials, acclaimed Canadian comedian and BAFTA nominee, Mae Martin, brings you a chilling dive into a similar world with Netflix's latest thriller, "Wayward". Get ready for a gripping insight into the twisted ties of friendship, manipulation, and secrets that define our destinies in this uncanny walk of life.

The year is 2003, and the spotlight shines on the picturesque town of Tall Pines, Vermont. Night descends and a teenager makes a daring escape from a residential facility, sounding the alarms and sending tremors that hit a school in far-off Toronto. There, amidst giggles and shared cannabis on the school's rooftop, best friends Abbie (Sydney Topliffe) and Leila (Alyvia Alyn Lind) are blissfully ignorant of the storm brewing. With their principal, Mr. Turner (Patrick J. Adams), at his tether's end and Abbie's parents on the verge of signing up their daughter for Tall Pines Academy, their world is on the brink of a massive shake-up.

Back in the quaint haven of Tall Pines, newly minted police officer Alex (Martin) and his expectant wife, Laura (Sarah Gadon), are set for a new life chapter. But just as Alex begins to adapt to this comforting hamlet and its cozy neighbors, a jarring experience with a terrified teenager brought in by patrolling cops shakes his newfound serenity. Laura's deep ties with the headmistress of Tall Pines Academy, mesmerizing Evelyn Wade (the supremely talented Toni Collette), add to Alex's growing suspicions about the town's unnerving tranquility.

Abbie, ripped from her familiar surroundings and thrust into the strange world of Tall Pines Academy with its peculiar systems, begins navigating her way. From the plain brown meals to the decidedly eccentric roommates, and therapy under the enigmatic Evelyn, Tall Pines is disconcerting at best. But when Leila steps into this eerie establishment with a daring rescue plan, the lives of the friends take an unexpected turn.

"Wayward" is not your typical thriller. It transcends the stereotypes, weaving a palpable tension throughout its narrative as Alex, Leila, and Abbie grapple with the menacing truth they face. As viewers dive into Evelyn's strange methods and the mysterious past of Tall Pines, the show unravels more about the academy's inception, the town's oddities, and Evelyn’s deft manipulation that creates rifts among students and fuels power struggles among the staff.

"Wayward's captivating characters and tantalizing plot shifts carry viewers on an unpredictable journey, making it a riveting watch. Martin's mini-series paints a vivid picture of why brute force and manipulation fail to quell teenage rebellion, and how charismatic figures can exploit those seeking direction. So gear up for this exceptional trip into mysterious corridors and watch "Wayward" now on Netflix!