Apple TV+ has added another must-watch series to its lineup with the new horror-comedy Widow's Bay, which critics are calling "singular" and "refreshing." The limited 10-episode series stars Matthew Rhys as a small-town New England mayor desperate to boost tourism on his struggling island, which locals believe is cursed. The cast also includes Dale Dickey, Kevin Carroll, Stephen Root, Kate O'Flynn, and Kingston Rumi Southwick.
Critical Acclaim and Perfect Score
After premiering its first two episodes on Wednesday, the show has earned a coveted 100 percent score on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers have highlighted Rhys's "top-notch physical comedy" as a standout element, while also noting the difficulty of categorizing the series within a single genre, instead labeling it "singular."
Reviewers Praise Unique Blend of Genres
Lucy Mangan of The Guardian gave the series a five-star review, calling it "intoxicating" and comparing it to Mare of Easttown meets Schitt's Creek, "but with something else that makes it singular." She noted that "horror may be its most obvious element, but it is so much more than that."
James Jackson of The London Times agreed that "it's more creepy than comical," adding, "I don't think comedy is a helpful word in setting expectations." In a four-star review, he described the show as "one peculiar barrel of fish, much in the way that Atlanta or Barry were uncategorizable."
Louise Griffin of RadioTimes applauded Widow's Bay as a "neat, off-beat offering" that "gets that balance just right" despite the tricky nature of the comedy-horror genre. In her four-star review, she praised the show's "twists, reveals and outright surreal moments." She added, "In a sea of TV series competing to be the most cinematic production on the small screen, it's refreshing to see Apple TV invest in a small-town comedy that scales things right back."
Further Praise from Industry Critics
Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter commended Rhys for "anchoring" the "intriguingly creepy, oddly cozy, unevenly effective horror-comedy." She noted, "At its best, Widow's Bay highlights the blurry line between comedy and horror," though she added that it "is less reliable at converting that tension into catharsis."
David Fear of Rolling Stone wrote, "The show scratches the itch that both Castle Rock and Welcome to Derry couldn't seem to reach, yet Widow's Bay isn't interested in I.P. fan fiction." He praised its "glorious eccentricity" and "willingness to f*** with your head that harkens back to a different, less safe era of programming."
Release Schedule
The first two episodes of Widow's Bay are streaming now on Apple TV+, with new episodes released every Wednesday through June 17, including a special two-episode drop on May 27.
