Apple’s original comedy-horror series Widow’s Bay feels like a cross between a Stephen King story and John Carpenter's The Fog, but with a comedic touch. The 10-episode series begins with a comedic tone driven by quirky townsfolk, but later episodes take a darker, more horrifying turn.
Created by Katie Dippold (Parks and Recreation, Ghostbusters) and starring Matthew Rhys, the setting is an island town off the coast of New England with a mysterious past. Mayor Tom Loftis (Rhys) is determined to transform the island into the next Martha's Vineyard, even if it means ignoring the town’s curse to put it on the map.
While Widow’s Bay is an original series, it carries the DNA of a Stephen King tale, particularly in its tight-knit community and the looming mystery surrounding the island’s past. The pilot episode also echoes The Fog, with an ominous mist signaling to residents that the curse has returned. The mayor dismisses these warnings, keeping things under wraps as a New York Times travel journalist arrives to feature the town.
The Mayor fits into a familiar archetype seen in films like Jaws and The Fog - a figure of authority who ignores clear warnings of impending danger. Stephen Root’s Wyck represents that manic character warning the Mayor of the dangers, but in a supporting role. Dippold flips the script by having that archetype lead the series.
The humor arises from the comedy of errors, mainly from Rhys’ Mayor, who is experiencing creepy incidents but keeps it under wraps to avoid bad press or panic the residents. The eccentric townspeople - especially his bumbling and unproductive office staff - add to the comedic chaos. As the tone shifts toward horror, the humor often doubles as a setup for jump scares, adding levity without undercutting the tension.
Matthew Rhys doesn’t disappoint again, proving himself one of the best actors around. He balances the comedic tone and horror aspects effortlessly. While the Mayor’s actions are self-serving, Rhys brings a grounded vulnerability to the role, making his intentions toward the community feel genuine.
The first two episodes serve as an introduction to the community, and characters with a more comedic tone, but by the end of episode 2, the horror and creepy happenings begin.
The mystery of the island is set up in the first few episodes, but viewers won’t get answers about the island’s past until episode 6, airing May 27, with scary revelations.
Seven episodes in, Widow’s Bay is an easy binge. The weekly rollout works in its favor, keeping viewers coming back for more clues behind the island’s haunting past.
The first two episodes of Widow’s Bay are now streaming on Apple TV.
