Review: 'Widow's Bay' becomes one of this year's brightest horror-series sensations

Reviewer Kristīne Melne, writing for the magazine 'Rīgas Viļņi,' has praised the Apple TV streaming series 'Widow's Bay,' calling it one of the standout sensations in the world of television series in recent years.

The ten-episode show is set on a small, isolated island in New England, where ambitious mayor Tom Loftis, played by Matthew Rhys, tries to turn the forgotten location into a popular tourist destination. His plans are hindered not only by the apathy of local residents but also by inexplicable dark forces that seem to govern the island — an old curse, mysterious deaths and murders.

According to the reviewer, the series stands out less for constant scares and more for a suffocating sense of impending dread, since the evil itself cannot be separated from the island itself. She compares the show to earlier successes such as 'Santa Clarita Diet' and 'What We Do in the Shadows,' and notes that 'Widow's Bay' has surpassed this summer's Netflix release 'The Boroughs,' created by the Duffer brothers of 'Stranger Things' fame.

Acclaim and cast

In the Emmy nominations list published in early July, 'Widow's Bay' ranked third with 19 nominations, behind 'The Pitt' and 'Hacks.' The lead role is played by Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, known for 'The Americans' and 'Perry Mason,' with supporting performances from Kate O'Flynn and Steven Root.

The reviewer notes that the show's writers, including Katie Dippold, drew clear inspiration from Stephen King's body of work, giving King's fans plenty of references to spot. The first season answers some questions about the island's dark events while leaving many mysteries unresolved — a second season has already been confirmed.