Cinematographer Christian Sprenger explains how classic horror films shaped Widow's Bay visuals

In Apple’s new series Widow’s Bay, cinematographer Christian Sprenger worked closely with showrunner Katie Dippold and director Hiro Murai to craft a visual style that walks a fine line between humor and horror. The team deliberately avoided modern, ultra-sharp imagery, instead opting for large-format Arri Alexa 35 cameras to evoke a look reminiscent of 1970s cinema, citing influences like Jaws and The Shining. For the 1702 flashback episode, Sprenger switched to an Arri Alexa 265 and shot in a tall 1.43:1 IMAX aspect ratio, using firelight, candles, and natural illumination to heighten claustrophobia.

Ti West’s direction kept the camera handheld and close to Betty Gilpin’s character, fostering a subjective viewpoint, while Cody Jacobs assisted as DP. This blend of period-authentic lighting and collaborative trust helped the series secure 19 nominations from the Television Academy.