Wayward ending explained: What happened to Alex at the end of Netflix's creepy cult thriller?

Warning - this article contains major spoilers for Wayward

Wayward is Netflix’s latest hit thriller that’s shot up the charts after its release this Thursday (25th September).

Currently second on the streamer’s top 10 TV shows, second only to the acclaimed period drama House of Guinness, it’s a must-watch if you haven’t already dived in this weekend.

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The small-town thriller follows police officer Alex Dempsey (played by Mae Martin), a trans man who moves to the seemingly idyllic and progressive town of Tall Pines with his pregnant wife, Laura (Sarah Gadon).

While the quiet community is quick to accept them, Alex soon starts to suspect all is not as it seems, with the local leader of an unconventional school for troubled teens, Evelyn Wade (Toni Collette), at the centre of the intrigue.

Meanwhile, two teen girls forced into attending Tall Pines Academy, Abbie (Sydney Topliffe) and Leila (Alyvia Alyn Lind) are desperate to make their escape after staging a failed uprising.

Let’s take a look at what happens at the end of the gripping series finale as the two storylines converge.

In the final episode of the season, Leap, some startling revelations are made about Evelyn’s cult and Laura’s history with Tall Pines.

Evelyn shockingly reveals Laura killed her own parents, beating them to death with a rock, and also that she wants to sever Alex’s parental attachment to their baby.

Alex is trapped by Evelyn in the flooded basement of the school and is about to be forced through the “Leap” process when Rabbit (Tattiawna Jones) intervenes, and Evelyn is drugged with the “booty juice” used to incapacitate the students.

Alex escapes and has an altercation with police officer Dwayne (Brandon Jay McLaren), smashing his head with a large rock after he tells her “I see you”, continuing a pattern of Alex killing his assailants.

Meanwhile, Leila, Abbie and Rory (John Daniel) escape the school by tricking their teacher Mule (Tricia Black) into thinking she’s meeting her “fiancé” in town and secretly hitching a ride in the van.

However, Leila suddenly decides to stay behind in Tall Pines as it’s the only place she’s felt welcomed. Abbie and Rory are then pursued by the cult, sharing a sweet kiss before Rory causes a diversion to allow Abbie to make a break for it.

Later, Alex reunites with Laura before she gives birth, discovering she’s all but replaced Evelyn at the head of their cultish community as she’s surrounded by supportive followers.

Back in the basement, Evelyn sees a bizarre vision of herself with a door in her mouth after being drugged. As the Leap continues, under Rabbit’s guidance, Evelyn starts seeing a vision of many doors and breaks down in tears.

She’s apparently left in a near catatonic state in the flooded basement, with viewers unsure whether or not she survived the ordeal.

Alex and Laura’s baby is finally born and is passed around the community as Laura explains “it’s everyone’s”, breaking the pattern of Evelyn not allowing any new children to be born in the town, albeit with an unconventional twist on parenting.

Alex is clearly conflicted about the child’s future and considers leaving that same evening. We then see Abbie parking the car near Alex’s house and picking up their dog Toast, just before Alex runs up to meet her carrying the baby.

Abbie asks who’s baby it is and Alex says “mine”, refuting Laura’s claim their child belongs to the whole community. He then reassures Abbie there’s no such thing as a bad kid, while Abbie assures him he’s a good person and a “protector”.

However, this is revealed to be a vision of Alex’s, who hasn’t left after all, and seems to now be at least partially indoctrinated into Laura’s cult and believes remaining in Tall Pines is the best option for their family.

Finally, Abbie drives away from Tall Pines with Toast, looking angry and determined.

Could she return to the town to take down the school for good in a second season? Stay tuned for updates.

Wayward is available to stream on Netflix.