Apple TV’s New Horror Show Borrows Stephen King’s Greatest Storytelling Trick

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A new horror comedy on Apple TV appears to be using a clever technique popularized by Stephen King. Given King’s reputation as a master of horror, it’s no surprise that his influence shows up in many new horror stories. Even well-known horror directors, like Mike Flanagan, continue to be inspired by his work.

I just finished the first episode of Apple TV+’s Widow’s Bay, and while it’s a completely original story – not based on any existing book – it immediately struck me as something a Stephen King fan would love. It’s got that small-town mystery and creeping dread that King does so well, but what really surprised me is that Widow’s Bay doesn’t feel overly serious. Even in its scariest moments, there’s a touch of lightness, which is a really interesting choice and sets it apart from a lot of King’s work.

Looking closely at the creatures and villains in the show reveals striking similarities to those found in Stephen King’s stories. It’s these connections that actually make the show’s humor work so well.

The Monsters In Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay Are Reminiscent Of Stephen King’s Iconic Villains

Monsters in Stephen King’s work frequently feel incredibly old – much older than the towns and people they terrorize. Pennywise, for example, is portrayed as an ancient entity that existed long before humans, stretching back millions of years. These creatures don’t typically lurk in darkness; instead, they often interact with people, even attempting to change how they see the world and what they believe is real.

Stephen King’s stories usually build horror through unsettling and bizarre villains, rather than sudden shocks. The Apple TV+ show Widow’s Bay does the same thing, creating a supernatural threat that’s both frightening and funny.

The first three episodes of Widow’s Bay have focused on introducing three main supernatural dangers: a terrifying clown, a deadly fog, and a Sea Hag. The clown is strongly reminiscent of Pennywise from Stephen King’s It, while the fog brings to mind the mist from The Mist. Even the Sea Hag shares similarities with Rhea of the Cöos from The Dark Tower.

The supernatural creatures in Widow’s Bay are similar to those in Stephen King’s stories – they don’t hide in the shadows. Instead, they directly confront and torment the characters, creating a frightening yet strangely dramatic effect.

Widow’s Bay is a unique show that manages to be both scary and funny. It avoids relying too heavily on typical horror tropes, which allows its humor to shine. The show’s brilliance lies in its ability to make even its most monstrous creatures feel relatable, making it a great choice for fans of Stephen King.

Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay Is Partly Inspired By Stephen King

Given its resemblance to many of Stephen King’s works, it’s no surprise he heavily influenced the series. Katie Dippold, the showrunner for Widow’s Bay, confirmed in an interview with Polygon that Stephen King was a key inspiration during the writing process. She told The Boston Globe that she specifically aimed to capture “that Stephen King atmosphere.”

Although Widow’s Bay shares some similarities with the work of Stephen King, it successfully carves out its own place in the horror genre. While the creatures might feel somewhat familiar, the show expertly balances scares and humor, creating a truly impressive effect.

The darkly funny and frightening series, Widow’s Bay, is made even better by its excellent actors, including Matthew Rhys, Stephen Root, and Kate O’Flynn. Critics have overwhelmingly praised the show, and it currently has a remarkably high 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

We’re hoping Widow’s Bay attracts a large audience, performing as well as Apple TV+’s most popular shows and achieving the same widespread recognition as the Stephen King stories that inspired it.

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2026-05-10 05:58