Guillermo del Toro has praised the new Apple TV horror-comedy series Widow’s Bay, calling it one of the best streaming series in years and one of the most striking examples of horror storytelling he has seen recently. The acclaimed filmmaker shared his reaction on X, where he said the show may be “the best streaming series in a long time” and described it as a mesmerizing feat of narrative craft in horror.
Widow’s Bay is an original Apple TV series created by Katie Dippold, whose background includes writing for Parks and Recreation and working on films directed by Paul Feig. The series stars Matthew Rhys as Tom Loftis, an optimistic but somewhat awkward mayor who hopes to turn a small island town into a thriving tourist destination. His plans are complicated by long-standing rumors that strange and unexplained events are happening beneath the surface of the town.
As the story unfolds, those rumors prove to be real, pushing the series into a mix of horror, mystery, and comedy. The show stands out for blending spooky atmosphere with playful humor, making it feel both eerie and entertaining. Its setting in a strange, history-heavy town adds to the sense of unease, while also giving the series room for absurd and witty moments.
The cast also includes Stephen Root, whose performance adds to the show’s offbeat energy. The article notes that Root plays a major believer in the town’s mysteries, and his presence helps make the unusual world of Widow’s Bay feel convincing despite its sillier elements.
Del Toro’s endorsement is notable because he is known for his deep appreciation of genre storytelling, especially horror with strong visual style and imaginative world-building. His praise also arrives as Apple TV continues to expand its genre offerings, with the series representing one of the platform’s more prominent horror-leaning originals.
The article suggests that Widow’s Bay could encourage Apple TV to develop more horror content in the future, especially if the series continues to attract attention from critics and viewers. It is positioned as part of a growing group of genre shows that use unusual towns, hidden secrets, and supernatural tension as the basis for storytelling, while adding a distinctly comedic tone.
The piece also references Matthew Rhys’ earlier work, including The Americans, which remains available through Disney+. For viewers interested in more from del Toro, the article points to his feature debut Cronos, which is streaming on HBO Max.
Overall, the article centers on del Toro’s strong praise for Widow’s Bay and frames the series as a standout horror-comedy that combines mystery, atmosphere, and humor in a way that has clearly impressed one of the genre’s most respected filmmakers.
