The 7 words in Netflix’s Wayward that we all secretly want to hear.

Netflix's Wayward is the cult psychological thriller that everyone is talking about right now. And for good reason. 

Not only does Wayward have a stellar cast — including our very own Toni Collette and creator and writer, Mae Martin — but it also speaks to a range of universal and very pertinent themes. 

One in particular, is the exploration of generational trauma in the troubled teen industry. Who's responsible for passing trauma down? How far should we go to stop the cycle? And how do we — as a community — fix the problem? 

There's a lot to unpack. But amongst the troubling therapies and palpable tension, it's one of the show's quieter moments that really stayed with me.

Watch: The trailer for Wayward. Article continues after video.

In the finale episode of Wayward, after a season of witnessing the horrifying realities of Tall Pines Academy, we see a pivotal scene between best friends Abbie and Leila — who have been our primary window into the sinister world of Tall Pines Academy — following Evelyn's manipulation that had momentarily turned the best friends against each other. 

After apologising for the hurtful things they said to each other earlier, the scene takes an unexpectedly profound turn when Leila reveals a devastating secret she's been carrying with her for years — her fear that she was the one who killed her own sister — something she still has no clear recollection of. 

"But what if I did? What if I'm a murderer?" Leila says. 

To that, Abbie responds simply: "Then I'm best friends with a murderer." 

Image: Netflix

And that moment right there says a great deal about what we, as a society, yearn to hear.

In an environment filled with institutional manipulation designed to break bonds and isolate vulnerable young people, Abbie's response represents everything Tall Pines Academy seeks to destroy — genuine human connection that refuses to be conditional on perfection or innocence.

Ignoring the murderous context and obviously very high stakes of the show — please, I'm not telling you to make space for murderers in your life — in my opinion, the statement itself speaks to a universal desire. The desire to be seen, to be understood, and to be accepted.

Because at the end of the day — in the immortal wise words of Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones's Diary — aren't we all just hoping to be loved just as we are?

Image: Netflix

The scene cuts to the core of what Leila — and many of the other characters — have been struggling with the entire season. Shame. And the fear that our worst moments make us unworthy of love. 

Now, I may not be a murderer, but — like Leila — the desire to be accepted and loved no matter what is something I know too well. And the shame that comes from keeping parts of yourself hidden for fear of rejection is something we've all felt at one time or another.

There are many intriguing lessons and conversations we can take away from Wayward.

But for me, it's the reminder that shame thrives in isolation. And it loses its power the moment we're met with understanding.

Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is let someone see us completely. 

Feature Image: Netflix.