Widow’s Peak
Bay Watch 2026
Newsletter #218
Going into the last week of our oldest son’s stay at the local university for its Summer College program, we find ourselves excited around these parts for the imminent return of our fantastic fourth, but also find ourselves grateful as parents to have had this test run on our first born’s approaching graduation and permanent move to university. We, naturally, couldn’t be prouder of the ways that he’s flourished in this month away from home, but that ticking clock every parent hears too late has suddenly grown much louder, and his senior year of high school is only a little over a month from beginning. I’m going to enjoy the year and all the associated chaos it brings, and be grateful for all of it; many parents, I think, are like Cinderella and don’t know what they’ve got `til it’s gone. I’m happy for the reminder and the tiny comparative sliver of time we get to appreciate his typically ghost-like presence haunting our home.
This week, the three of our family not in college found Widow’s Bay, a streaming series on Apple+ that is impossible not to love. We’d heard some buzz about it, but weren’t really swayed until I saw a recommendation online from Guillermo Del Toro, who quite possibly may be my favorite director, and - more importantly - a real life alpha nerd whose interests I find frequently aligning with my own. I’m not much of a horror comedy fan, so I wasn’t primed at all to fall for this story as hard as I did, to laugh out loud or find myself truly holding my breath in suspense as often as I did.
I don’t want to spill too much at the risk of potentially spoiling even one second of it; rest assured that Widow’s Bay is not horror comedy in the way that - say - Scary Movie is a horror comedy. The general vibe of the story echoes back to the Amazing Stories Spielberg aired in the 80’s, with the deft ability to switch between genuine, intelligent laughs; emotional gravitas, and seriously creepy moments. At its core, it’s a weird small town story, but the quality of production, acting, and execution throughout elevates it beyond its also-ran premise. Widow’s Bay manages to navigate all of these narrative shifts without spending too much energy in one area, a feat that reveals itself as truly impressive in how difficult it is to capture all the show’s charms in describing it to others. As with most things, I think it’s best to experience it and decide for yourselves and you’re in luck if you’re coming to it late: the final episode of the season hits streaming on Wednesday and the show has already been renewed for a second season. It’s a perfect time to jump onboard!
Y’all have a good week; be kind to one another and remember that it’s never too soon to stay spooky season off right.
Wado!