The ending of Netflix’s thriller Wayward left many viewers on the edge of their seats, but one character’s decision stood out as the most heartbreaking and confusing. In the finale, after a dangerous escape from the manipulative Tall Pines Academy, the brave Abbie finally secures her freedom. Her best friend, Leila, however, makes the stunning choice to stay behind. According to the actress who plays her, Alyvia Alyn Lind, this complex decision is a mix of real longing and psychological manipulation.
The Heart of Leila’s Decision
For Leila, a teenager grappling with the traumatic drowning of her older sister, Jess, and a feeling of being unloved, Tall Pines Academy offers something she has always wanted: a sense of family. Alyvia Alyn Lind explains that Leila’s reasons are both genuine and implanted.
“I think the reasons she gave Abbie for why she’s staying are true. She wants the community, she wants the family, and I think she genuinely does believe that,” Lind says. However, she is quick to point out the dark influence behind these feelings: “But I think that was all placed into her mind by Evelyn.”
The head of the academy, Evelyn Wade, played by Toni Collette, is a master manipulator. She identifies Leila’s trauma and uses it to control her. Lind describes how Evelyn saw Leila’s tough exterior and knew there was a “soft center” underneath. “She wanted to rip that out, and I think she manipulated her,” the actress stated. This creates a haunting ending where the audience is left to wonder how much of Leila’s choice is her own and how much is the result of Evelyn’s control.
A Sister’s Death and a Twisted Memory
A central part of Evelyn’s manipulation revolves around the death of Leila’s sister, Jess. Throughout the series, the show presents different versions of the tragic night. In one, Jess’s death is a terrible accident. In another, a version brought out under Evelyn’s guidance, Leila pushes her sister into a pool and lets her drown.
So, what is the truth? Alyvia Alyn Lind has her own firm belief about what really happened. “At the end of the day, I personally believe she did not intentionally push her sister,” she shared. She notes that lapses in memory are common after traumatic events, which created the perfect opening for Evelyn. “It’s a perfect opening for Evelyn to go in there and pull at the strings until it’s all unraveled,” Lind explained.
This manipulation is key to understanding the finale. By convincing Leila that she is responsible for her sister’s death, Evelyn makes the teenager believe she is a bad person who needs the “help” that only Tall Pines can provide.
The Troubled Teen Industry and a Hope for More
Wayward shines a light on the real-world “troubled teen industry,” which includes therapeutic boarding schools known for high-pressure and psychologically manipulative practices. The fictional Tall Pines Academy, with its mysterious and traumatic “Leap” ritual, is a dramatization of these environments where teens are extremely vulnerable.
While Wayward was initially conceived as an eight-episode limited series, its open-ended conclusion has left fans and the cast hoping for more. Lind acknowledges that the potential for continuation exists. “Limited series get picked up all the time now, so we’re just hoping that Netflix wants to push it further,” she said. “We all want more for our characters, especially me. I want to see where Leila goes. I love her so much.”
This leaves the door open for Leila’s story to continue, exploring whether she will ever see through the manipulation and find true freedom, or if the community she so desperately craves will become her permanent prison.
Also Read: Rory’s Fate in Wayward: The Heartbreaking Sacrifice Explained
