Stephen King Gives Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed a Major Hitchcock Comparison
Stephen King has given Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed a glowing endorsement, comparing the new Apple TV series to the work of legendary suspense filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock.
The horror author, who regularly shares his thoughts on movies and television online, made it clear that while he enjoys Apple TV’s breakout hit Widow’s Bay, another series has impressed him even more.
“Widow’s Bay is good. Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed is even better,” King wrote on Twitter. “It’s like Hitchcock came back to do it one more time.”
King also singled out Tatiana Maslany for praise, highlighting the range of emotions she brings to the show’s central character.
“The play of emotions on her face is pretty incredible,” he wrote, noting that Maslany can shift “from comic to terror in an instant.”
For a series built around suspense, a comparison to Hitchcock, widely regarded as one of cinema’s defining masters of the genre, is a particularly strong endorsement.
What is Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed about?
Starring Orphan Black actor Tatiana Maslany, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed centers on Paula, a newly divorced soccer mom whose life takes a dangerous turn after she witnesses a crime.
What begins as a shocking incident soon develops into a much larger nightmare involving blackmail and murder. At the same time, Paula is dealing with an ongoing custody battle, leaving her with little choice but to investigate the situation herself.
Her search for answers eventually uncovers a far-reaching conspiracy, pushing the series beyond a straightforward crime story and deeper into psychological suspense.
The show premiered on Apple TV on May 20 and is scheduled to conclude on July 15, 2026.
Critics are already impressed
Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed has also earned strong reviews from critics. The series currently holds a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes, although it has not generated quite the same level of attention as Widow’s Bay.
That series has become one of Apple TV’s biggest recent surprises, combining dark comedy with horror. It follows a mayor who is desperate to bring tourists to his small, aging island. His efforts, however, unleash a sinister curse.
Widow’s Bay has a slightly higher Rotten Tomatoes score at 97%.
The two shows have also attracted praise from some prominent names in film and entertainment.
Earlier this month, horror filmmaker Guillermo del Toro described Widow’s Bay as “one of the best streaming series in a long time.” Game developer and noted film reviewer Hideo Kojima offered his own enthusiastic reaction this week.
“It’s so incredibly good that I couldn’t stop,” Kojima wrote, adding that “Fans of Stephen King and horror in general will love it.”
There is an amusing twist to that recommendation: King himself appears to favor the other Apple TV series.
Apple TV has no shortage of suspense
The praise comes at a busy time for Apple TV viewers looking for dark, mysterious stories.
Widow’s Bay concluded its first season on June 17, while Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed is still airing ahead of its July 15 finale.
The platform is also currently airing its new television adaptation of Cape Fear, starring Amy Adams, Patrick Wilson, and Javier Bardem as the terrifying Max Cady.
Meanwhile, the crime drama Unconditional is scheduled to conclude on June 19.
With Widow’s Bay attracting major attention and Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed earning both strong reviews and King’s endorsement, Apple TV currently has several high-profile options for viewers in the mood for suspense, crime, and horror.