Widow’s Bay premiered on Apple TV back in April and has quickly become one of the streamer’s most talked-about shows. This incredibly unique series blends horror and comedy, making it a thrilling watch that alternates between laughter and suspense. Created by Katie Dippold, the show follows the story of a New England town called Widow’s Bay, which is cursed. Each episode delves deeper into the curse, introducing new terrifying elements. Matthew Rhys plays Tom Loftis, the mayor of Widow’s Bay, who is desperately trying to transform the island into a tourist destination — that is, until he becomes a target of the curse himself. Critics and viewers alike have hailed Widow’s Bay as a must-watch, and now one horror legend has given the show a notable shout-out.

Iconic Director Guillermo del Toro Has Piled on Praise for ‘Widow’s Bay’

The king of horror, Guillermo del Toro, understands the genre well. So when he tweets his approval for a current television show, it’s certainly worth watching. On May 30, he stated: “If I may — in my estimation— #WidowsBay may very well be the best streaming series in a long time…and hands down one of the most mesmerizing acts of narrative prestidigitation in Horror.” Del Toro has received eight Oscar nominations and three wins (Best Picture and Best Director for 2018’s The Shape of Water and Best Animated Film for 2023’s Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio), indicating his expertise in high-quality projects. His works are always original and stem from his unique creativity, making it clear why he would be drawn to a show like Widow’s Bay, which stands apart from anything we’ve seen before.

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Matthew Rhys’ Horror Series ‘Widow’s Bay’ Is Apple TV’s Weirdest, Boldest Show Yet | Review

‘Widow’s Bay’ premieres April 29 on Apple TV.

‘Widow’s Bay’ Dovetails Perfectly With Guillermo del Toro’s Own Body of Work

There is definitely common ground between del Toro’s legacy and the episodes of Widow’s Bay. The series features numerous frightening elements, such as a mysterious deadly fog, creepy ghosts, and a nearly lethal witch’s spell that ensnares the townspeople. All these aspects would fit seamlessly into del Toro’s oeuvre, which includes his 2007 fantastical film, Pan’s Labyrinth. Similar to that movie, there are subtle twists on scary forces that allow the story to unfold in an original manner. Del Toro has consistently employed masterful cinematography in his work, and Widow’s Bay also utilizes sweeping ocean views and shifts in color schemes to enhance suspense and captivation.

Despite featuring terrifying monsters and villains, both del Toro and Dippold delve deeper into character development than what is typically seen in traditional horror. Viewers care about these characters because they explore their underlying issues. As we learn more about Tom, we appreciate that his straight-laced demeanor stems from unresolved grief. This approach mirrors del Toro’s upcoming 2025 version of <em>Frankenstein</em>, which allows us to understand these familiar characters more deeply. Episode 6 of Widow’s Bay aligns with Frankenstein‘s Gothic vibes through its flashback episode set in colonial America, where the island’s curse originates. Connections to the horror maestro can be found throughout Widow’s Bay‘s episodes thus far, including the masterful interplay of light and dark forces at play within the narrative. Del Toro also contributed to one of the best horror television shows, FX’s The Strain, in 2014, so he understands what it takes to excel in this storytelling format.

By expressing admiration for the “narrative prestidigitation,” Del Toro highlights that Widow’s Bay effectively employs sleight of hand that makes viewers forget they are not witnessing real events. The true magic lies in making Widow’s Bay feel like an actual place, much like del Toro does with his brilliant projects. It’s always exciting to see what our favorite filmmakers are watching and recommending; this acknowledgment from del Toro reinforces what we already knew — Widow’s Bay is one of the cleverest horror shows on television right now.