Wayward Fans Must Watch This 100% RT Hidden Gem Limited Series on Netflix

by Talha · October 5, 2025

wayward netflix series — Credit : Netflix

If you loved Wayward, with its mysterious boarding school, dark secrets, and psychologically intense storyline, Netflix has another series that will grip you just as tightly — The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping.

While Wayward is fictional, it captures the eerie atmosphere of strict institutions controlling their students. The Program, on the other hand, shows real-life horrors at the Academy at Ivy Ridge — a facility that claimed to “help troubled teens” but operated more like a cult. Like Wayward, teens are trapped, manipulated, and isolated, making it a chilling series for anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers with dark, suspenseful vibes.

Overview of The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping

Netflix Release & Director

Released exclusively on Netflix, The Program is directed by Katherine Kubler, a former student of Ivy Ridge. Kubler’s personal experiences make the series authentic and gut-wrenching, blending her firsthand accounts with investigative reporting. The series combines interviews, archival footage, and expert commentary to expose the reality behind the “troubled teen” industry.

Plot & Setting

The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping series like wayward — Credit : Netflix

The docuseries revolves around the Academy at Ivy Ridge, a residential facility that promised parents a structured environment for their teens. Instead, students faced:

Strict Rules & Constant Surveillance: Every action was monitored, creating an environment of fear and control.
Isolation from Family & Friends: Communication with the outside world was limited, making students feel trapped.
Psychological Conditioning: Teens were subjected to manipulative tactics meant to break down their identity and enforce obedience.

Kubler revisits the abandoned campus with other former students, recounting their traumatic experiences. The series highlights how the facility’s practices went far beyond standard discipline, venturing into abuse and psychological torture.

Abuse, Manipulation, and Trauma

The Program lays bare the various forms of abuse students endured:

Physical Punishment & Restraints: Teens were often restrained for minor infractions, leaving both physical and emotional scars.
Emotional & Psychological Control: Students were shamed, belittled, and forced to comply with strict hierarchies.
Cult-Like Indoctrination: The facility operated with extreme rules, rituals, and a command structure that mirrored a cult, ensuring unquestioned obedience.

These elements make it clear why the series is often compared to fictional shows like Wayward — the tension, fear, and suspense are all very real.

Survivor Stories

Katherine Kubler’s testimony forms the backbone of the series. Alongside other former students, she shares:

Daily Life & Rules: Harsh schedules, constant monitoring, and punishments for minor rule-breaking.
Psychological Impact: The lasting trauma of being controlled and humiliated for months or years.
Escape & Reflection: How they survived and later sought justice or awareness for the injustices they faced.

The series doesn’t just show events; it explores the emotional and mental toll of the experience, making it far more impactful than a fictional portrayal.

Investigative Angle

The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping netflix series — Credit : Netflix

The docuseries also examines:

Facility Records & Logs: Including restraint documentation and incident reports.
Interviews with Experts: Psychologists, legal experts, and former staff provide insight into the abusive nature of Ivy Ridge and the broader troubled teen industry.
Industry Critique: The series raises questions about oversight, regulation, and accountability for similar institutions worldwide.

This investigative depth adds credibility and makes the series not just shocking, but informative.

Why It Resonates With Wayward Fans

Dark Institutional Settings: Both series feature teens trapped in environments where authority is oppressive.
Psychological Suspense: Manipulation, fear, and mind games create tension similar to Wayward.
Secrets & Hidden Agendas: Behind the surface of the “helpful” facility lies deception, abuse, and cruelty.

In essence, The Program offers the same suspenseful and eerie vibe that made Wayward so captivating — but with the added weight of real-life horror.

Conclusion

The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping is a must-watch for anyone who loved Wayward. It delivers a chilling look into the realities of abusive teen institutions, exploring psychological manipulation, isolation, and cult-like control. With Kubler’s firsthand accounts, investigative insights, and expert commentary, the series is both emotionally gripping and educational.

If you want suspense, psychological depth, and the dark thrill of real-life horrors, this Netflix series will not disappoint.

FAQs

Q1: Is The Program based on true events?
Yes. It’s based on Katherine Kubler’s experiences and those of other former students at Ivy Ridge.

Q2: Where can I watch The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping?
It’s available exclusively on Netflix.

Q3: How is it similar to Wayward?
Both series depict teens in controlled institutions with manipulative authority figures, psychological manipulation, and dark secrets. The Program shows the real-life horrors that inspired stories like Wayward.