Shining Girls Review

 

Hey squirrel friends! I cannot recall how I stumbled upon this series, but it's highly recommended for those who love sci-fi thrillers.  "Shining Girls" is a series on Apple TV that aired a few years ago.  I re-watched it recently with my free trial of Apple TV. I'll keep the details of how I watched this series in the past, but let's just say a liberated Firestick played a pivotal role. This thriller is a fusion of the series You and Fringe. It weaves a mesmerizing narrative that transcends time and reality.  

Kirby, portrayed by Elisabeth Moss, is a newspaper archivist with an aptitude for unraveling mysteries.  But when she survives a near-fatal attack, it leaves her in a perpetually changing reality, where minor details morph and major events diverge. One day she owns a cat: the next, a dog.  Her work desk changes, her apartment shifts--yet Kirby adapts with unsettling ease.  One constant is that she is always a newspaper archivist with the Sun Times. 

Harper (played by Jamie Bell) is an enigmatic figure who stalks Kirby across timelines. His motives remain shrouded, but one thing is clear, he is not just after her. Other women suffer identical, fatal wounds, their lives inexplicably intertwined with Kirby's. She eventually joins forces with Dan (Wagner Moura) a reporter who assists with investigating and tracking down a possible serial killer.  

In this series, everyone truly stepped up and played their roles brilliantly.  I've always been a fan of Elisabeth Moss, and she certainly did not disappoint. Her ability to bring drama thrillers to life is nothing short of an art form. By the way, if you haven't already, you should definitely check out "Top of the Lake" and "The Handmaid's Tale" -- both showcase Moss's exceptional talent and will leave you captivated. 

Now, let's talk about Jamie Bell. Remember him from the iconic film "Billy Elliot"? It's one of my all-time favorites! Definitely in the top fifteen. I know that he's been in other movies that I've seen but I can't recall them at the moment. But in this series, Bell takes on a completely different character -- a stark contrast to his earlier role as a child actor.  Whoever handled this casting for this show deserves all the rewards. They assembled a talented ensemble that truly brought the story to life. 

"Shining Girls" is binge-worthy. With only eight episodes, you can easily watch the entire series in one day like I did...twice.  If you have Apple TV or have jailbroken a Fire Stick, I highly recommend that you check out this series.  It will have you on the edge of your seat.

This series gets 5 out of 5 acorns.