Widow’s Bay isn’t a show I’d typically gravitate toward. As a non-horror fan and a certified scaredy-cat, there’s never a way to determine how much of it I can actually stomach without endless nightmares, but as a fan of Matthew Rhys, curiosity got the better of me. And thank goodness for that because the series grips you right from the start and forces you to sit still as you watch.
If Schitt’s Creek and Jaws had a baby, it’d be Widow’s Bay. Surely there are other comparisons to be made that more avid horror fans might come up with, but considering I know very little and only the basics, that’s what my mind conjured. And if you’re here for the big question of whether scaredy-cats can handle Widow’s Bay, the answer is a confident I believe so. The show’s remarkable strength lies in its distinct ability to build up tension by hinting at the secrets the town harbors. Because of this feat, it gives you ample warning of a looming threat if you’re someone who needs to look away briefly before something or someone strikes. Hold those blankets over your head and have a cup of cocoa ready for comfort, and you’ll be totally fine.
Because really, the series shines because of everything that Rhys brings to the table, allowing his magneticism to charm you all while everyone’s begging you to leave and never look back. As a trailer showcases, the town’s got secrets, yet as the mayor, he’s desperate to make it a tourist attraction and will do anything to deny the realities even as they sprint toward him in the dead of night.
And ultimately, it’s Rhys’ distinguishing humor that makes every episode so palatable if you typically can’t stomach horror. The series shows you threats from every angle, deep diving into lore that indicates this isn’t a safe space, yet somehow, you remain lodged in place regardless. Through callbacks to slasher films and old tales of things that lurk in the water, it somehow never goes too far in becoming a truly terrifying place, which then makes it easier to watch. Yet, at the same time, it’s not too tame where real horror fans would find mockery or frustration in it. Because it is scary, in a genuinely wild way that’s still somehow bearable. The intricate balance it strikes in storytelling is no small feat, and ultimately, this results in the show’s glowing strength amid all this.
The entire cast, alongside Rhys are all incredible, and the soundtrack hits with riveting needle drops in every episode. When a series is named after a small town, the setting itself has to be its own character, and that’s most certainly the case with Widow’s Bay, making it the kind of place that’s rich with lore and stories you can spend hours excavating. Whether the series is limited or goes on for a few years, it’s got the bones to be both, making it a tremendous achievement in that regard, too.
Katie Dippold (Parks and Recreation) and Hiro Murai (The Bear) make an excellent team behind the scenes, ensuring that the series is unlike anything else you’d expect from a horror comedy, as it peddles you through one wildly chaotic thing after another.
Genre-bending isn’t a simple achievement, and seldom is it accomplished with the considerate layers necessary to ensure that it will entice a variety of viewers. In fact, in cases like this, because so much relies on whether we care enough about the characters and the stakes to continue beyond a few scenes, it makes the production twice as challenging. But like Sinners last year, Widow’s Bay does something extraordinarily monumental in how it tells deeply human stories about pain and loss through myths and haunting parables.
There’s also plenty to appreciate about how the lighting and cinematography contribute to bringing the town’s essence to life. Saturation is a rarity these days that viewers are constantly begging for, and Widow’s Bay delivers in spades with a brightness that blends seamlessly with the darker, muted themes. Eerie and uniquely haunting, the outstanding visuals, coupled with the exceptional performances, ensure that the series beams like a lighthouse, waiting to welcome lost souls back home.
Widow’s Bay premieres on April 29, exclusively on Apple TV.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Apple TV