The first season of Netflix’s psychological thriller Wayward left viewers with many questions, but one character’s fate has been a central point of discussion: Rory, played by John Daniel. In a finale filled with unsettling revelations, Rory’s final act became one of the most memorable and emotionally charged moments of the series.
For weeks, Rory had been quietly plotting with fellow patients Abbie and Leila to escape the oppressive walls of Tall Pines Academy. Their chance finally arrived when they tricked a staff member into driving them off the campus grounds. However, their freedom was short-lived. The institute quickly realized they were missing, and the trio soon found themselves cornered in an empty house by the school’s founder, the unnerving Evelyn Wade, and her followers.
Faced with the choice of returning to the academy or fighting for their freedom, the group fractured. Leila, believing that Tall Pines could truly help her, decided to go back. But Rory and Abbie stood their ground, resolved to keep running. Surrounded and with no clear way out, Rory made a split-second decision that would change everything.
The Final Kiss and Sacrifice
In a moment of desperate resolve, Rory turned to Abbie and asked for a kiss. This act served as a final, poignant goodbye before he created a loud distraction, deliberately drawing the attention of the guards toward himself. While the armed staff focused on Rory, Abbie seized the opportunity to slip away unnoticed into the surrounding woods, where she found the getaway car left by Officer Alex Dempsey and made her escape.
The series intentionally leaves Rory’s ultimate fate ambiguous. The last viewers see of him, he is surrounded by Tall Pines staff. At the very least, he was recaptured and hauled back to the institution he so desperately wanted to leave behind. However, the show does not confirm whether he was simply imprisoned again or if he faced a more severe, permanent punishment for his rebellion.
What Rory’s Fate Means for the Story
Rory’s sacrifice transforms him into a tragic figure within the narrative of Wayward. His act of selflessness underscores the show’s central themes about the brutal cost of resisting oppressive systems. By choosing to create a distraction, Rory actively pushed back against the brainwashing and control of Tall Pines, asserting his free will in a place designed to stamp it out. His final kiss with Abbie was not just a romantic gesture, but a powerful act of defiance—a brief flicker of genuine human connection in an environment built on manipulation and psychological torture.
Online, fans have been grappling with the uncertainty of his ending. Some theorize that Evelyn’s cult may have executed him for his disobedience. Others speculate that he could still be alive, perhaps even “reprogrammed” by the academy’s methods, and might return in a potential second season as a loyal follower of Evelyn. The creators of the show have not provided a definitive answer, allowing the audience to sit with the “hollow feeling” of not knowing.
The Show’s Context and Future
Wayward is a series that explores the horrors of the “troubled teen” industry and the cult-like dynamics that can fester in isolated communities. The show’s creator, Mae Martin, has described the finale as a “messed-up kind of fairy tale,” designed to sit with viewers long after the credits roll. Whether Rory’s story is over or not depends on the potential for a second season. For now, his arc remains a heartbreaking open question, symbolizing the high price of resistance and the fragile hope for freedom.
Also Read: Is Netflix’s Wayward Based on a Real School? The True Story Behind the Thriller
