Unveiling the Truth Behind Netflix's 'Wayward': A Disturbing Reality
The Dark Side of Troubled Teen Institutions Unveiled
In the gripping Netflix series 'Wayward', a thriller-drama that delves into the hidden world of a fictional school for troubled teens, the truth lies beneath the surface. This eight-episode limited series intertwines two fictional narratives, shedding light on the disturbing abuse within a remote institution in Vermont. It's a story that leaves you questioning the fine line between treatment and torture.
While the main characters, including two high school best friends, an enigmatic founder, and a young couple with secrets, feel like composites of real-life experiences, the series draws heavily from a very real and notorious institution.
'Wayward' Creator's Personal Connection
Mae Martin, the creator and star of 'Wayward', revealed in an interview that the show's scripts were inspired by her own life. As a wayward teen, Martin witnessed a close friend being sent to a troubled teen camp, an experience that left an indelible mark. Although Martin hasn't confirmed direct connections, many details in the series mirror the infamous CEDU, a troubled teen facility with a dark history.
CEDU, which operated from 1967 to 2005, was shut down amid a flurry of lawsuits. It was a place of brutality, cruelty, and unexplained disappearances, much like the fictional Tall Pines Academy in 'Wayward'.
The Troubled Teen Industry's Dark Origins
CEDU is often seen as the ground zero for the multi-billion dollar troubled teen industry. Over four decades, CEDU operated at multiple locations, leaving a trail of emotional, physical, and psychological abuse. It was a cult-like environment, stripping teenagers of their identities and subjecting them to degradation, all under the guise of treatment.
Desperate Escapes and a Corrupt System
'Wayward' opens with a heart-pounding scene of a teenage boy fleeing Tall Pines Academy, a desperate attempt to escape the campus. This scene echoes the real-life experiences of hundreds of teenagers who tried to run away from similar institutions. CEDU, with its close ties to local law enforcement, often had runaways returned to the campus, with little regard for their well-being.
The Missing Persons Case
One of the central plot threads in 'Wayward' involves a character named Daniel, whose death is covered up as a runaway. Interestingly, a real-life Daniel Yuen went missing from CEDU's San Bernardino campus. Despite an investigation by Los Angeles Magazine, Daniel's fate remains a mystery, with his parents still searching for answers after 22 years.
The Synanon Cult Influence
Toni Colette's character in 'Wayward' gives off an unsettling cult leader vibe, and it's no coincidence. Martin revealed that Colette's character, Evelyn Wade, was inspired by the Synanon cult, once described as one of America's most dangerous and violent cults. Synanon, a self-help cult from the '70s, transformed into a part of the troubled teen industry. The series includes 'The Synanon Game', a group therapy session adapted from Synanon's practices, where students are encouraged to expose each other's weaknesses.
A Glimmer of Hope: The One Good Cop
In 'Wayward', Deputy Alex discovers the truth about missing teens and connects with an activist blogger, Maurice. Their partnership, though short-lived, mirrors the real-life experience of David Safran, a CEDU survivor. Safran's encounter with Detective Alisha Rosa in 2021 led to a renewed investigation into CEDU's missing kids. Despite differences in their backgrounds, Safran notes striking similarities between his experience and Maurice's fictional journey.
The Impact and Reality of 'Wayward'
With its success on Netflix, 'Wayward' has brought attention to the dark corners of the troubled teen industry. While the series doesn't explicitly acknowledge its real-life inspirations, it shines a light on the traumatic experiences that can linger for a lifetime. For survivors like Safran, the show is a step towards acknowledging the horrors that still exist within these institutions.
'Wayward' is a fictional story, but it's rooted in truth. As Safran puts it, "Reality in the troubled teen industry is always darker, funnier, and weirder."
This story has been updated with a request for comment from Netflix, but no response has been received as of yet.
