TV Show Review: Widow’s Bay
Created by: Katie Dippold
Genre: Horror Comedy
Age: Adult
Format: TV - Streaming
Horror comedy may be one of my favorite subgenres. They are so incredible when executed well as they blend two tricky components of storytelling and, when done in film/TV, rely heavily on the performances of the cast. Katie Dippold’s 2026 series is a new entry into this subgenre that horror comedy fans should be watching. If the works of Grady Hendrix or films like Cabin in the Woods, the Happy Death Day franchise, or Tucker & Dale vs. Evil were some of your favorites, this series may be made just for you!
Widow’s Bay is set on the small titular island off the New England coast. The island boasts of its quaint locale with limited technology, but has a dark history with supernatural occurrences and potential curses. The townsfolk add humor to the darkness though, either through their adamant belief in the island legends or their dismissiveness. The series skillfully balances genuinely scary moments with perfect comedic timing. Neither ever undermines the other and they only enhance one another.
Dippold’s time as a writer for Parks & Rec shows in the Widow’s Bay. She returns to the mine of small-town bureaucracy for laughs, and it still resonates. She is clearly a horror fan too, and the show isn’t afraid to allude to other films like The Shining or The VVitch. Each episode, so far (I wrote this after episode 8 aired) references a different type of horror while adding to the overarching story of the season. The original storyline may feel reminiscent of other creepy, isolated island/village towns, but it is still enjoyable, even if you have seen or read a lot of those types of stories before. I am invested and excited to find out where the show is ultimately headed. The show requires the audience to pay attention to catch little jokes or scares. If you are looking at your phone, you will miss the titles of the games at the hotel in episode 2 or the changing expressions of the party goers in episode 4.
The cast is also excellent. The main characters are led by Matthew Rhys’s town mayor trying to reinvigorate the town, wanting to ignore the spooky reputation of the island. Katie O’Flynn is his beleaguered and bizarre assistant who is simultaneously hilarious and pathetic and Stephen Root is Wyck, the genre savvy harbinger constantly warning the denizens of the town about danger. Each delivers their comedic lines perfectly as well as inhabiting the role’s darker moments. All three should be considered for awards due to these performances. These three leads have launched many memes as each episode airs, but O’Flynn’s Patricia has quickly become the fan favorite. The other leads are brilliant in their roles too. I love Dale Dickey’s Rosemary in episode 4 especially. Fans of other horror films or shows may recognize some of the guest stars with glee, but I recommend watching without looking into who shows up!
While Widow’s Bay may not be for everyone, it is one you should at least watch the first few episodes of. The episodes are not very long, and I am glad they went with a weekly release schedule like the old days of TV. I also believe you can recommend the show to friends or family who are not the biggest horror fans. Horror aficionados will find much to love but there is no extreme gore or terror present for the more squeamish or timid viewers. All this to say, Widow’s Bay is the perfect watch for the beginning of summer. If you like scares along with a lot of laughs, this is the show for you!
Rating: A
Available on Apple TV
Review by Dee
Twitter & Bluesky: @SirenofScience
