Wayward (2022), directed by Kurt Knight in his feature debut, is a gripping psychological horror thriller that has quietly earned a cult following among fans of atmospheric, character-driven scares. Released on limited theaters and VOD, the film stars Iyana Halley (This Is Us) as Dawn, a young woman who returns to her isolated hometown after years away, only to uncover dark secrets lurking beneath the surface of the seemingly idyllic community. With a runtime of 78 minutes and a modest budget, Wayward punches above its weight, blending elements of folk horror with modern paranoia to create a slow-burn nightmare that lingers long after the credits roll.

The plot follows Dawn, a successful city professional escaping a bad breakup, as she heads back to the rural town of Wayward Pines for her mother’s funeral. What starts as a reluctant homecoming turns sinister when Dawn notices odd behaviors from locals: whispered conversations that stop when she enters a room, strange rituals in the woods, and a town elder (Barton Bund) who seems to know more about her past than he should. As Dawn digs into her family’s history, she discovers the town harbors a cult-like secret tied to ancient land curses, forcing her to question her sanity and fight for survival. Knight’s script, co-written with Justin Hermes, builds tension masterfully—no jump scares, just creeping dread from subtle details like flickering lights and shadowy figures at the edge of frame.

Halley carries the film with a nuanced performance, her Dawn evolving from skeptical outsider to desperate fighter, eyes conveying terror that words can’t. Bund is chilling as the enigmatic elder, his calm demeanor masking menace. Supporting cast, including Darius McCrary and J. Alphonse Nicholson, adds authenticity to the town’s eerie unity.

Shot in rural Georgia standing in for the Pacific Northwest, Knight uses the landscape—dense forests, foggy mornings—to amplify isolation. The score by Joseph Bishara (Insidious) throbs with unease, enhancing the film’s folk-horror vibes reminiscent of The Wicker Man or Midsommar, but with American small-town grit.

Critics praised its restraint: 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, with Bloody Disgusting calling it “a smart, scary debut that trusts silence over screams.” Viewers binge: “Underrated gem—left me unsettled for days” (@HorrorFanatic, 50k likes).

Wayward isn’t flashy—it’s effective, a reminder that true horror hides in the familiar. Stream on Tubi/Prime Video; the town awaits.