‘Widow’s Bay’ Review: Matthew Rhys Anchors Apple’s Intriguingly Creepy, Oddly Cozy, Unevenly Effective Horror-Comedy
Widow’s Bay, Apple’s horror-comedy series starring Matthew Rhys, blends eerie supernatural elements with small-town quirkiness in a coastal New England island setting. The show mixes dark humor and creeping dread as the mayor tries to promote tourism despite the town’s cursed reputation. While uneven in pacing and impact, its strong performances and distinctive tone make it compelling. The series ultimately leans into its odd charm, anchored by Rhys and a talented ensemble.
- ▪Widow’s Bay is a ten-episode Apple TV+ series blending horror and comedy, set on a mysterious island off the New England coast.
- ▪Matthew Rhys stars as Mayor Tom Loftis, a desperate leader trying to boost tourism despite the town’s supernatural curse and dark history.
- ▪The show features a mix of genre homages and tonal shifts, with directors including Hiro Murai, Ti West, and Andrew Young.
- ▪Kate O'Flynn delivers a standout performance as Patricia, a socially awkward town resident grappling with isolation and trauma.
- ▪Despite strong atmosphere and performances, the series is criticized for inconsistent payoffs and limited comedic and horror impact.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
'Widow's Bay' Apple TV Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment At the end of a very strange dinner punctuated by flickering lights and ominous warnings, a travel writer (Bashir Salahuddin) scouting an island village diagnoses what he sees as the problem with its marketing pitch. “I see what’s going on here. You don’t want to be Nantucket. You want to be Salem,” he says. Leaning in, he adds, “It’s a nice town.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Hollywood Reporter.
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