Netflix: Wayward Ending Explained — What Really Happened in Tall Pines?

The eerie psychological thriller series WAYWARD on Netflix ends with a mindgame twist. But what does it all mean? We break down the final scenes and theories. Check out our Wayward ending explained below.

Netflix’s Wayward is one of those series that burrows into your mind long after the credits roll. With its eerie blend of psychological thriller, cult drama, and generational trauma, the ending left fans with as many questions as answers.

So, what exactly happened in Tall Pines — and what does it mean for Alex, Laura, Abbie, Leila, and the mysterious Evelyn? Let’s break it down.

Before we dive in: You can also check out our full review of Wayward here >

Please note: We’re answering specific questions, so the FAQ portion of this may be very repetitive at times. Consider yourself warned, and just skip any questions or answers that you feel are irrelevant to you.

What Is Netflix’s Wayward About?

Set in the seemingly perfect town of Tall Pines, Wayward follows police officer Alex Dempsey (creator and star Mae Martin) and his pregnant wife Laura (Sarah Gadon).

What starts as a fresh start quickly spirals into something sinister when Dempsey connects with two teens from the local “troubled teen” school: Abbie (Sydney Topliffe) and Leila (Alyvia Alyn Lind).

At the heart of the mystery is Evelyn Wade (Toni Collette), the charismatic yet chilling leader of Tall Pines Academy.

Beneath the school’s promises of “healing” lies The Leap — a psychedelic mind-rewiring ritual using venom from local toads. This process severs trauma bonds but also erases deep emotional connections.

Mae Martin, who based elements of the Academy on their own experiences and research into the “troubled teen” industry, describes the series as “a messed-up fairy tale” — and the finale proves exactly that.

Wayward Ending Explained: Alex’s Fantasy vs. Reality

In Episode 8, Alex envisions an escape. He takes his newborn child and flees Tall Pines with the escaped teenager Abbie, driving away from Laura and the cult-like community that has claimed his family. It’s a fleeting glimpse of the life he’s always wanted.

But — it’s just a fantasy.

In reality, Alex stays.

His choice speaks volumes: Alex is bound by love, trauma, and the hope that he can salvage something with Laura, even as she rises into Evelyn’s old role as the town’s new leader.

Mae Martin explained: “Alex stays because he cares more about his fantasy of this nuclear family and heteronormative life than he does about his moral compass,” Martin says. “He thinks he can turn things around. But I think it’s mainly that he just loves Laura.”

Is Laura the New Leader?

By the finale, Laura is firmly positioned as Evelyn’s successor. After giving birth, she joyfully watches as her followers pass the newborn around, declaring the baby belongs to “everyone.”

For Laura, this is a utopian act of community; for Alex, it’s a nightmare.

The show suggests Laura believes she can do what Evelyn couldn’t: create a nurturing environment without cruelty or ego. But as Sarah Gadon notes, “…she’s so in it that when you zoom out, you’re like, ‘Honey, you’ve lost the plot.’”

What Happened to Evelyn?

After attempting to force Alex through the Leap, Evelyn is betrayed by her own second-in-command, Rabbit (Tattiawna Jones). Injected with her own drug cocktail, Evelyn collapses into a hallucinogenic state.

The last we see of Evelyn, she’s lost in an endless mental landscape of green doors.

Is she dead?

In a coma?

Or lingering in some liminal state between?

The series leaves it ambiguous — a fitting fate for a leader who thrived on rewriting reality. One could say it all just caught up to her, and now Evelyn is forced to experience her own “cure”.

Abbie’s Escape — and Leila’s Choice

The finale delivers one clear resolution: Abbie escapes Tall Pines.

After surviving the Academy’s psychological torture, she crosses the town limits in the final shot, symbolizing a rare victory against Evelyn’s grip.

But the triumph is bittersweet.

Leila chooses to stay behind, convinced that, despite its horrors, Tall Pines offers her the community and care she has always craved.

As Alyvia Alyn Lind explains, “Leila never really had that love and care. Even if it’s in a really messed-up and manipulative way, Leila is feeling those things for the first time. She’s feeling that love and unity.”

Their tearful goodbye ensures that, while physically separated, their bond remains unbreakable.

The Dark Legacy of Tall Pines

Wayward doesn’t just focus on its characters — it also digs into the disturbing history of Tall Pines itself. Once home to countercultural movements and cultish leaders, the town has always thrived on manipulation disguised as enlightenment. Evelyn merely perfected the formula.

Her signature mantra — “In her mouth is a door” — ties back to her own violent past with Weldon, the cult leader who once controlled Tall Pines. Evelyn killed him, only to repeat his cycle of control with her students.

The show leaves viewers questioning whether Laura will follow the same path — or finally break it.

Final Thoughts on Netflix’s Wayward Ending

The ending of Wayward refuses to tie everything up neatly. Instead, it lingers in ambiguity: Alex’s loyalty versus morality, Laura’s potential corruption, Evelyn’s uncertain fate, and the fractured bond between Abbie and Leila.

Mae Martin describes it best: “I hope people feel satisfied that they watched a really messed-up kind of fairy tale. Ultimately, I just hope it stays with people.”

And stay with you it does. With its haunting finale, Wayward cements itself as one of Netflix’s most unsettling limited series in years.

FAQ: Wayward on Netflix

We’ve come across several of your questions already, so we’ve included them below along with answers. If you have questions you’d like added to our FAQ portion of this Wayward ending explained piece, reach out to us here >

Is Wayward based on a true story?

Not exactly — but creator Mae Martin drew inspiration from real “troubled teen” programs. This industry is very real and can come across as very cult-like.

Is Wayward connected to Wayward Pines?

No. Despite the similar titles, and Wayward being set in Tall Pines, Wayward is an entirely new series and original story unrelated to Wayward Pines.

Is Wayward‘s Alex a man or a woman?

Alex in Netflix’s Wayward is a trans man, so he is a man. The fact that he’s trans is mentioned in several direct and roundabout ways in various Wayward episodes. Including mentions of Alex probably not having a penis or being “d*ckless”.

Who is the father of Alex and Laura’s child?

Well, Alex is the father of the child, but in terms of biology, we don’t get any specifics. Probably a donor, which is commonly used by any couple who cannot conceive together, for whatever reason.

Who does Mae Martin play?

Creator of Wayward, Mae Martin, plays Alex Dempsey, a transgender cop at the center of the story, in this series.

Mae Martin is nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, but it’s the first time they portray a character identifying as he/him.

🔗 Want more thoughts on the series? Read our full Wayward review here >