After watching the documentary series “Program: Cons, Cults, Invitations,” I was left unsettled by the exploitation faced by troubled teens in these so-called schools. Interestingly, comedian May Martin has now penned a thriller centered on this very theme.
Whims: Should You Stream It or Skip It?
Opening Scene: The setting kicks off in “2003” at Tall Pines Academy in Vermont, where students break windows and escape, but one hears a voice warning they can’t leave.
Key Points: In a suburb of Toronto, best friends Leila (Alivia Allin Lind) and Abby (Sydney Topriff) find themselves on the roof of their high school, facing consequences for their late arrival. Guidance counselor Wyatt Turner (Patrick J. Adams) pulls Leila into his office to address her declining academic performance following her sister’s death. With her grades slipping and time running out, he suggests she consider the Thor Pines Academy, a treatment facility run by Evelyn Wade (Toni Collette). It seems she doesn’t have much of a choice at this point.
Meanwhile, Abby’s family is concerned about the influence of Leila on her—features scenes with Abby cursing at her parents and sneaking out to find Leila for answers about the final exam.
After an incident at a Detroit police station, Alex Dempsey (May Martin) and his pregnant partner Laura (Sarah Gadon) move into a house owned by Evelyn, who previously attended Tall Pines Academy. Alex starts a new role at the Tall Pines PD and soon learns that his partner Dwayne Andrews (Brandon Jay McLaren) knows Laura from their days at Thor Pines. During their drive to work, they witness teenager Riley (Gage Munroe) nearly get hit by a police car after escaping the school. Alex attempts to assist, but Riley evades him and vanishes into the woods.
At the police station, Alex meets Evelyn, who insists Riley is one of her more challenging students and has attempted to run away before. Alex seems to have a deeper understanding of Riley and leaves him a granola bar in the woods, believing he might be hiding there.
Riley surprises Alex and Laura at their home, revealing that things at Tall Pines Academy aren’t as they’re portrayed. Just as he tries to share more, a struggle erupts, abruptly shifting the narrative. Abby, too, is taken from her home and finds herself at Tall Pines Academy, confronting Evelyn.
What Shows Does It Remind You Of? Whimper, authored by May Martin, is reminiscent of Yellowjackets while also echoing the documentary series Program: Cons, Cults, Invitations, which deals with the terrifying realities of institutions that claim to help “problem teens.” It’s important to note that this show is distinct from The Whimsical Pine, a mystery horror series that aired on Fox in the 2010s.
Our Take: After the first episode of Whimper, I could sense where the storyline was headed, but it didn’t feel as bleak as it initially appeared. Martin effectively establishes early on that something sinister lurks at Tall Pines Academy, and Laura’s prior experiences there add another layer of intrigue.
Ultimately, Leila and Abby find themselves at Tall Pines Academy, hoping Alex will help them expose the abusive, cult-like environment. Evelyn’s charm poses a significant challenge, making the girls’ journey even more difficult. Collette portrays Evelyn with a compelling warmth, a stark contrast to her often chilling role.
Despite the heavy themes, Martin infuses a bit of humor, likely a reflection of his comedic background. The writing gives meaningful depth to characters like Alex, a trans man dismissed from the Detroit police department after a controversial shooting. His arc revolves around investigating Evelyn and supporting Laura as they dig out of a troubling situation.
The humor balances the darker elements of the plot, keeping the pace engaging. While serious moments abound, the comedic undertones help alleviate the weight of some scenes.
Sex and Skin: The first episode contains no explicit content.
Final Shot: “Welcome to Tall Pines! I think I’ll be really happy here,” exclaims Abby after her hood is removed.
Sleeper Star: Patrick J. Adams amplifies the tension, hinting at a deeper connection to the academy as the series advances.
Best Line: Abby’s dad quips about a janitor’s hygiene prior to dinner, highlighting the awkwardness of teenage life. It’s a relatable, humorous moment amidst the drama.
Our Call: Stream it. Whimper boasts strong performances from both Martin and Collette, balancing the dark themes with moments of levity.
