The story in Widow’s Bay on Apple TV is slow to start as it unfolds through the 10-episode first season. But it will have you fully invested by Episode 3. Led by Matthew Rhys’ tremendous performance, it’s the perfect creepy horror replacement if you’re missing shows like Stranger Things, Pluribus, and Yellowjackets, with a dash of workplace comedy a la Parks and Recreation thrown in for a unique genre spin.
Imagine a quaint little unintentionally off-the-grid New England town with no Wi-Fi and spotty cellular reception at best. Mayor Tom Loftis (Rhys) revels in the peaceful, serene life by the water. But he’s also desperate for the place to reach its full potential. Bring in the tourists and create the next Martha’s Vineyard! Long-time residents, however, swear that the stories of hauntings and creepy events of the past are more than just folklore: Widow’s Bay is cursed. Tom doesn’t want to hear about the superstitions, though, despite evidence mounting that the residents might be right. As the plot unfolds, we learn that they are.
Slow to Start, But Rises to a Creepy Crescendo
You might feel a little bored in the beginning, waiting desperately for something interesting to happen. Don’t worry, it does. Widow’s Bay‘s slow start is necessary to set up Tom’s position, his passion for the town (that no one else in his office seems to share), and the dynamic among the key figures in the community. Tom’s obsession with turning the town into the next Martha’s Vineyard is challenged by folks like Wyck (Stephen Root), a long-time resident who is the most vocally insistent that rumors of supernatural phenomenon are true; tourists should stay away.
Tom, however, is willing to ignore signs that something is wrong. You get the feeling, though, that he isn’t entirely convinced there’s nothing sinister about Widow’s Bay. It’s almost like he’s subconsciously shoving doubts to the back of his mind for the sake of proving his worth as mayor. It’s not in a greedy politician kind of way, however, as you might expect with a show and character like his. Tom genuinely seems like he cares about the community. He wants to put Widow’s Bay on the map, not prop up his own resume. Which makes you wonder, what are the real reasons he’s sticking around and giving it his all?
It’s safe to assume even from the creepy promo video that Widow’s Bay is not the idealistic community it presents itself to be. It takes some time for the horror part of the equation to reveal as such, but when the true horrors arrive, they’re as macabre as they come. There’s a lot of creepy things boiling beneath the surface, and as they emerge, Tom must balance his insistence that Widow’s Bay needs to be a hot tourist destination with his fear that tourists may wind up dead if they come.
You get typical bump-in-the-night scares, creepy scenes, and classic horror. It’s subtle at times, more overt in others. What I especially love is the show’s nods to traditional horror and slasher films, even its use of B-horror tropes, cliches, and iconic character archetypes. This is in ways that aren’t necessarily parodies but rather respectfully humorous acknowledgements of their importance to the genre.
Parks & Recreation Meets Wednesday
It’s not all about horror. Widow’s Bay cleverly combines the tone of a workplace comedy with creepy horror, blending them in a way that has you questioning at times if this is a horror show at all. It’s like watching an episode of Parks and Recreation when Tom is dealing with the quirky personalities in his office, a team that is often doing anything but work. “I’m going to need you to actually stay today,” he tells his horribly inefficient, elderly assistant in one scene. “Absolutely,” she replies, “I’m just going to have to leave at 3.”
Tom rolls his eyes most of the time because nothing he says will make a difference anyway. This is just the way things are here. It’s beautifully reflective of small towns where routine and simplicity rule the roost, and the reality that “everyone knows everyone” creates a laissez-faire family dynamic.
As the plot progresses, the show begins to more reflect others like Wednesday as characters face monsters and ghostly forces. From parties gone wrong to ineffective curfews, a reverend in turmoil, lost tourists, and that very strange local inn, there’s a lot going on. The show flips back and forth between these genres seamlessly, blending both into a story that oddly makes sense.
Along with the main cast, a few surprise cameo guest actors are a delight, perfectly cast in their roles that are integral to the plot and the town’s chilling backstory. But it’s really Rhys who holds it all together, effortlessly portraying the hard-working mayor desperate to earn the peoples’ respect. The subtleties of his acting, from the intricacies of dialogue to the emotions in even the slightest facial expressions, are a reminder of what a fine actor he is.
Kate O’Flynn deserves accolades for her performance as the socially awkward loner assistant Patricia as well. So does Root, who truly sells it as the lifelong resident whose gruff demeanor and love of the bottle mean no one takes his ghost stories seriously.
Widow’s Bay Will Draw You In
Beyond the acting and story, Widow’s Bay‘s beautiful cinematography wonderfully depicts the serene town with so much promise. But it also gives off the sense that something ominous lurks in the shadows. The town, and the show, seems like it’s stuck in the ’80s, existing in a time capsule far away from modern reality, even though it takes place in present day. That’s not an easy setting to capture, but the show does this wonderfully.
As far as the story goes, you can’t help but root for Tom even if you believe there’s something to all the rumors about the town and he’s backing a bad decision by trying to bring tourists in. He seems like a genuine, relatable guy, a small-town politician just trying to make his community the best it can be for motives that, while unknown, don’t appear to be professional in nature. He’s deeply invested in making something of this town for reasons outside of himself, and that’s the part that will really get you thinking.
The plot takes wild turns as it sets sail into horror territory, admittedly getting a bit corny at times. The comedic slant nicely lightens the mood when things get too intense. And they do. Episode 4 “Beach Reads” is a particularly frightening episode in more ways than one that really allows O’Flynn to shine, while Episode 5 “What to Expect on Your Trip” and Episode 6 “Our History” are masterclasses in acting.
I was initially skeptical about Widow’s Bay after the first episode. But by the end of Episode 2, I was intrigued, and once Episode 3 was done, I was completed invested, ready to ride out the story and eager to press play on each new episode. Rhys was captivating in The Beast in Me on Netflix, and he’s just as commanding on screen in this show, playing a very different but equally layered character.
So, is the island cursed? You can probably guess before even starting the show that there’s some truth to the lore. As the tourists stream in despite this threat lurking in the background, how Tom balances what’s happening with what he actually believes (or tries to convince himself he doesn’t believe) is at the heart of the story. You’ll laugh one moment, jump out of your seat the next, and recoil in horror at some of the defining scenes of the show. Widow’s Bay will be one of the best comedy horrors you’ve seen of late, a worthy add to your watch list.