I haven’t been so addicted to a series like I am with Widow’s Bay! That is quite a bold statement coming from someone like me who isn’t into horror. Most of you who’ve been following FlixChatter know I just don’t have the nerves for scary or gory content. However, once in a while I make an exception, and I’m glad I did with this outstanding series!
A perfect balance of horror and comedy
What I really dig about Widow’s Bay is that it hits the horror comedy tone just right. A lot of shows tend to pick a side, but this one strikes a perfect balance between the two. One minute you’re laughing your head off, and the next you’re on the edge of your seat. The series creator, Katie Dippold, actually wrote the pilot for Widow’s Bay nearly 20 years ago as a spec script to land a gig on Parks and Recreation, where she ended up writing for over 30 episodes. She teams up with Hiro Murai, who produced Atlanta and the Mr & Mrs Smith series, and he’s on board as an executive producer and director.
The setup intrigues me right away… Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys) is eager to transform his sleepy, struggling New England island into a thriving tourist hotspot. He tirelessly promotes the image of a perfect vacation spot, always assuring everyone that the town is completely normal and definitely not cursed by any dangerous maritime legends.
I love that when you search ‘Widow’s Bay’ on Google, below the search bar reads, ‘Did you mean the next Martha’s Vineyard and definitely not cursed?’ I was already watching the show when I saw that, but if not, that would definitely make me curious enough to check it out.
Horror maestro Guillermo del Toro has given high praise to the series, describing it as “the best streaming series in a long time… and hands down one of the most mesmerizing acts of narrative prestidigitation in horror.”
I had to look up what prestidigitation means, which is basically means a ‘sleight of hand,’ showcasing skillful trickery. I totally agree with del Toro. One moment I’m laughing, and the next I’m genuinely spooked. Some of the jump scares made me duck under my blanket, but it’s not disturbing enough to keep me up at night.
The scene at the History Center with the New York Times travel writer Arthur Lloyd (Bashir Salahuddin) is one of the funniest scenes that got me hooked on the show. Tom attempts to downplay the town’s dark history, like the witch trials and cannibalism, despite the fact that news clippings of those chilling events are plastered all over the walls. I enjoy Tom’s awkwardness as he tries to sidestep Gerrie (Nancy Lenehan), the employee obsessed with the town’s folklore, who attempts to share the truth with Arthur.
A fantastic cast bringing the quirky characters to life
I’ve been a huge fan of Matthew Rhys for quite a while now. This incredibly talented Welshman is best known to American viewers from The Americans (where he stars alongside his wife Keri Russell) and Perry Mason. As someone who loves period dramas, I really enjoyed his portrayal of Mr. Darcy in the Death Comes to Pemberley miniseries, and I also had a blast watching him banter about wine with fellow Brit Matthew Goode in The Wine Show.
He’s one of those actors who can truly immerse himself in any character, so it’s no surprise that he’s great at comedy. It’s fun to see him tackle physical comedy as well, which I haven’t seen him do before. I’d say Mayor Loftis is definitely one of his standout roles so far. His deadpan delivery is a joy to watch, and he skillfully expresses deep fear, anguish, and a real sense of guilt (I won’t spoil it to you as to why he feels this way).
The third episode, where he’s literally haunted by a terrifying sea hag, is a prime example of horror comedy done right. The look of terror on his face as the monster approaches and he finally realizes the island is cursed is oddly hilarious. But the chair-recliner scene had me laughing out loud! (If you’ve seen it, you know exactly what I’m talking about.)
Stephen Root is always memorable in small roles; who could forget him as Milton in Office Space? But I’m glad he’s got a prominent role here as Wyck Crawford, a paranoid local and outspoken conspiracy theorist who’s convinced about the island’s supernatural history. He desperately tries to make Tom understand the true terror of the curse, and their constant bickering is some of the show’s funniest bits.
It wouldn’t be hyperbolic to say that Kate O’Flynn‘s portrayal of Patricia Moyer is the standout of the series. I mostly recall her from Hulu’s My Lady Jane, but I’m really hoping to see her more often on screen. Tom’s quirky, poetry-loving assistant is a social misfit for the oddest reason. The town’s mean girls have ostracized Patricia for having survived a high school run-in with a masked local serial killer known as the ‘Boogeyman,’ but she ultimately gets the last laugh.
Just like Rhys, the English-born O’Flynn nails the American accent and delivers her lines with perfect deadpan humor. She always swoops in to break the tension of the most dramatic/scary moments in the funniest way. I’m still cackling at the ‘sorry, forgot my purse’ scene from Episode 7, ‘Seasickness.’
Kevin Carroll (Sheriff Clemmons), Dale Dickey (Rosemary), Jeff Hiller (Dale), K Callan (Ruth), and Kingston Rumi Southwick (Tom’s son Evan) round out the great supporting cast. Dickey is especially hilarious in the long, drawn-out family genealogy scene in episode 9, and Hiller’s blank, open-mouthed expression watching the disturbing historical videos of the town in the series finale is hysterical.
The brilliant Monster of the Week format
The ‘monster of the week’ format is clever in that it showcases a different supernatural threat in every episode, tapping into a bunch of horror tropes. We get everything from ghostly fog, creepy clowns, a spooky inn, and witches to Lovecraftian elements. Thankfully, Widow’s Bay isn’t too gory, which is a relief because I’m not sure I could handle that. The two episodes focused on Patricia (the folk horror with spells in Ep. 4: “Beach Reads” and the bloody Halloween-style slasher in Ep. 8: “Your Baggage”) are incredibly well-made and indelible.
Initially, I wasn’t too fond of episode 6, Our History, as the colonial-horror episode is decidedly more solemn than the others, but it’s such an important one that peels back the island’s dark origins all the way back to 1702. Hamish Linklater as the town’s first mayor, Richard Warren, and Betty Gilpin as his newly arranged bride from the mainland, Sarah Westcott, are phenomenal, certainly Emmy-worthy.
There are humorous moments, just done in a brilliantly subtle way. When asked to step in and try to save the local children from the island’s terrors, the ever-so prim Sarah protests, ”My children? I’ve only just met them!” Mwahaha, good point!! Meanwhile, Linklater delivered phenomenal acting under heavy prosthetics in the Seasickness episode, which is perhaps my favorite episode of season 1.
Stephen King Meets Parks and Rec but uniquely its own
Fans of the show have mentioned that Widow’s Bay feels like Stephen King’s mixtape. Dippold acknowledges the significant impact the horror legend has had on the genre, and she has pointed to King’s writing style, immersive world-building, and small-town environments as key influences on her own creations. The ‘Beach Reads’ episode evokes memories of Carrie, and there’s even a copy of The Shining visible in the bookmobile. The fictional town itself brings to mind the close-knit, secluded fishing community of Maine depicted in King’s Storm of the Century, although I haven’t watched the 1999 miniseries.
Mixing that creeping sense of dread with a funny workplace sitcom vibe is what makes the show work so well. The writing is on point, not only with the already iconic one-liners but also in how it turns the everyday interactions between Mayor Tom and his quirky, antisocial team into something really fun to watch. They all try to keep things normal and casual, even with the supernatural chaos happening all around them.
The detailed production design is truly impressive and greatly enhances the overall vibe. The Historical Society, filled with news clippings and local memorabilia, along with the haunted inn, featuring its odd board games, is all meticulously crafted. Apple should’ve launched the creepy Daddy’s Home board game on this year’s Father’s Day! The Our History episode also looks colonial period-appropriate from the set pieces, costumes, etc.
What a killer finale!
Creating an awesome premise is one thing, but actually pulling it off is a whole different ball game. Dippold and Murai not only nailed both aspects, but they also wrapped it up with an incredible finale that had me laughing and gasping at the same time. Let’s just say that one of the seemingly minor staff members in Tom’s mayoral office plays a huge role in the last episode, and it’s a real shocker! I totally empathize with Tom in this episode, and Rhys’s intense acting is deeply moving. The big twist took me by surprise, but honestly, the hints were there all along. It made me want to go back and rewatch the series to catch any details I might have missed.
With a finale that exciting, I’m definitely left wanting more, and the fantastic news is that AppleTV has already renewed the show for a second season! Woo hoo!!!
Praying there’ll be multiple seasons of Widow’s Bay!
In addition to the renewal announcement, Apple revealed that Dippold has signed a multi-year overall deal for series development and a first look at feature films. I’m really excited for her, and I’m also glad she’ll keep her role as the showrunner, writer, and executive producer for Widow’s Bay. This show really sets the bar high for horror comedy.
One of my top horror-comedy flicks is What We Do in the Shadows, but honestly, the scary parts aren’t that frightening since the whole concept is pretty silly. In contrast, this show has a genuine sense of terror because the story feels more realistic, and Widow’s Bay itself gives off vibes of an actual New England town. The isolation by the sea, the haunting past, and the mix of tourism with the supernatural… it feels like the town’s essence is inspired by towns like Salem in Massachusetts and other North Shore areas.
The finale has left us with tons of questions that we’re hoping to see addressed in season 2. The town and its inhabitants are packed with secrets that could lead to even more hilarious and spooky antics. As Emmy Awards nomination-round voting is going on right now, I think it’s a sure bet that Widow’s Bay would get multiple nominations. I’m hoping they’ll sweep the awards (as well as the Golden Globes and other TV awards) for the creators and the cast, particularly the three main cast members: Rhys, Root, and O’Flynn, as well as guest star nods for Linklater and Gilpin.
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Questions and wish list I have for future seasons
SPOILER ALERT! (Proceed with caution.)
If you’ve seen the show in its entirety, you’ll likely wonder about these too!
What did the priest see when he looked down that well?? He killed himself that same night, but it was never explained why.
What’s exactly in Tom’s basement? When Tom spotted Evan with a photo that shows his wife Lauren didn’t actually die during childbirth (as he always told his son), the first thing he exclaims is, “You went into the basement?” Hmmm, what other secrets could he be hiding down there??
How do the islanders not know about the sacrifices? The videos Dale watches are in color, which looks like something from the 60s, so you would think some of the descendants of those people involved might still be alive and living on the island.
Who made the films that Dale watched in the finale, and what are they for? Are they instructions for future town committees who have to choose which people to sacrifice? The extremely chipper host of the video gives me the heebie jeebies; it’s as if he’s just doing multilevel marketing!
How did Ruth survive the gunshot wound? Or is she also ‘unkillable’ just like Richard Warren was?
In regard to Ruth’s story as she went through her photo album, she said nonchalantly that her former lover ‘was bitten by an animal and then he turned into that animal.’ Wait, what??! I sure hope they’d explore that in a future episode!!
I’d love to see more of the town and its past in future seasons and perhaps a Rosemary-centric episode, as she’s such a weird character, in a good way. I also would love to see more of Wyck’s history, as he’s so knowledgeable about the town and has such deep roots in that place.
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