Some shows are entertaining but come with a few duds that drag down the experience. Not Apple TV's Shining Girls. This 2022 sci-fi thriller, based on Lauren Beukes' novel, is a rare gem where every single episode hits the mark. Created by Silka Luisa, the series quietly landed on the streamer four years ago and remains an underrated standout.
What Is 'Shining Girls' About?
The story follows Kirby Mazrachi (Elisabeth Moss), an archivist at the Chicago Sun-Times still living with her mother years after a brutal attack left her for dead. Her attacker was never caught, and Kirby seems stuck in a fog of trauma. But soon, reality itself starts shifting around her—her cat becomes a dog, she's suddenly married to a coworker, and nothing feels stable. It turns out multiple realities are colliding, and a mysterious serial killer (Jamie Bell) may be behind the tears in her world.
A Twisty Thriller With an Impressive Cast
Shining Girls could have been a straightforward crime drama, but it evolves into a mind-bending sci-fi puzzle where the rules keep changing. The series keeps viewers off-balance, asking what life would be like if you couldn't trust everyday structures. This tension fuels the show's intensity and makes each episode a genre-hopping ride—from dark psychological drama to sci-fi mystery to a meditation on generational trauma. It's completely bingeable.
The cast is what keeps the inventive premise from going off the rails. Moss delivers a career-high performance, capturing Kirby's spiraling confusion and inner strength. Wagner Moura, fresh off an Oscar nomination, plays her grounded colleague with vulnerability and determination. Phillipa Soo, Chris Chalk, Amy Brenneman, and Moss' Handmaid's Tale co-star Madeline Brewer all shine in key roles. And Bell is genuinely terrifying as the creepy villain.
While you'll want to race through the eight episodes to see how Kirby's journey ends, this masterful drama rewards slow savoring. Its inventive storytelling and nuanced performances make it a must-see. And because it's only eight episodes, it's easier to binge than many other sci-fi thrillers. By the finale, you'll agree: there's not a single subpar episode in the bunch.
For fans of flawless miniseries, check out our list of Hulu Miniseries Where Every Single Episode Is a Flawless Masterpiece. If you're in the mood for more underrated horror-thrillers, don't miss Forgotten Frights: 7 Near-Perfect Horror Thrillers That Deserve a Second Look. And for another Apple TV+ sci-fi hit, read about 'For All Mankind' Hitting a 500-Day Streaming Milestone.
Shining Girls is available to stream on Apple TV+ in the U.S.
