Critic Reviews

Pines is certainly weird, but it’s never predictable.

At least in its first two episodes, Wayward Pines looks prepared to think more about what happens to its characters once the shock of that discovery has sunk in.

The good news is that Wayward Pines is a creepy mystery that gets more compelling--and shocking--as it goes along.

The question becomes will more screen time allow the Big Secret to make sense? That will determine if the whole of Wayward Pines is ultimately worth watching. If nothing else, the first five hours are at turns intriguing, mysterious, engrossing and spooky.

Wayward Pines is a splashy, melodramatic thriller: smart enough to stay ahead of itself, well-made enough to keep the audience engaged; creepy enough to be delightful.

It’s the ideal summertime distraction.

It’s moody, strange and a bit surreal, while still pulling you into its world and making you believe in it.

Wayward Pines looks as though it has the potential to rise above its false starts while grippingly spooling out truths that are “worse than anything you could even imagine.”

[A] stylish, well-acted thrill ride.

The pilot ends with a big reveal (and more mystery), kicking off what is shaping up to be some great summer escapism.