This 97%-Rated Apple TV Hit Is So Good Hideo Kojima Binged It in One Go: "I Couldn't Stop"

Hideo Kojima, the game designer and writer behind cult classics like Metal Gear and Death Stranding, rarely treats fans to recommendations. However, when he suggests something to watch, his opinion is worth heeding.

This time, Kojima shared his thoughts on the Apple TV series Widow's Bay, which he binged in one sitting after receiving a recommendation from his friend, Guillermo del Toro.

Hideo Kojima Has Nothing but Praise for Apple TV's 'Widow's Bay'

He described the series as a perfect blend of horror and comedy, comparing it to the works of Stephen King and the show Twin Peaks. He also admitted that he couldn't wait for the finale.

Kojima wrote on his Instagram account:

“I started watching Apple TV+'s Widow's Bay. It's so incredibly good that I couldn't stop, so I binged through Episode 9 in one go. [...] It's packed with horror elements, one after another. Fans of Stephen King and horror in general will love it.

The pacing is excellent, and the balance between horror and humor is just right. [...] It's been a long time since a series pulled me in this completely. I can't wait for next Wednesday's final episode.”

What Is 'Widow's Bay' About?

Widow's Bay is a small town located on an island of the same name. Mayor Tom Loftis wants to turn the town into a tourist paradise, but the locals fiercely resist because they believe the area is cursed.

Wyck, a town resident who is rarely sober, is particularly vocal in his opposition. At the mayor's invitation, a New York Times journalist visits the island and is thoroughly charmed. However, once hundreds of tourists finally arrive, Tom finds himself contending with a mysterious, dense fog and ghosts haunting the hotel.

'Widow's Bay' Is a Perfect Blend of Scary & Funny That Will Keep You on the Edge of Your Seat

In Widows' Bay, the creators strike a rare balance between supernatural horror and absurdist comedy.

The show draws on folklore and legends about cursed locations, weaving together multiple paranormal storylines. Tom encounters ghosts, bloodthirsty creatures, an elderly mermaid, and a thick fog that blankets every house.

Conversely, a rational person views tales of witches with skepticism – or, more often, with a smirk. In the early episodes, the creators leave it up to the viewer to decide whether to believe in the supernatural or expect the myths to be debunked.

At the same time, Widows' Bay could easily pass for an anthology of Stephen King's short fiction – the action unfolds in a perpetually foggy New England setting hostile toward outsiders.

The story straddles several genres – supernatural horror, witch-themed horror, slasher, and even a chillingly realistic historical drama about early settlers – yet the creators turn familiar tropes inside out and reimagine them with an ironic twist.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Widow's Bay'?

• Widow's Bay has 97% from critics and 93% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 8.3/10.