Shining Girls Story:-
In a pivotal moment of Apple TV+’s new series “Shining Girls,” a character poses a pressing question, only to receive a mind-bending response. “Is he going to kill me?” one woman asks anxiously. “He already has,” comes the chilling reply, “just not yet.”
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 29 April 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Episodes | 8 |
| Creator | Silka Luisa |
| Cast | Elisabeth Moss, Wagner Moura, Jamie Bell, Phillipa Soo, Amy Brenneman |
| Director | Michelle MacLaren |
| Writer | Silka Luisa |
| Producer | Elisabeth Moss, Silka Luisa, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lindsey McManus, Jennifer Davisson, Lauren Beukes, Alan Page Arriaga, Michelle MacLaren, Rebecca Hobbs, Daina Reid |
| Production | MRC, MRC Television, Love & Squalor Pictures, Appian Way Productions |
| Certificate | 18+ |
At this juncture in a show rife with temporal intricacies, viewers may find their interest waning, even as the conclusion remains elusive. Elisabeth Moss takes on multiple roles in the series, acting in, executive producing, and directing episodes of this adaptation of Lauren Beukes’ novel, which navigates through different timelines with finesse. Yet, despite Moss’s commendable efforts, the issue seems to lie in the source material, and its attempt to stretch a concept better suited for a film into an episodic format, succumbing to the TV industry’s penchant for unnecessary elongation.
Moss portrays Kirby Mazrachi, an archivist for the Chicago Sun-Times haunted by past trauma. Her assault has left her adrift in a fractured reality, where she experiences sudden shifts between timelines. From finding herself inexplicably married to a stranger to struggling to recall key details of her own life, Kirby’s existence is marred by confusion and disorientation. Moss infuses Kirby with a palpable weariness, portraying her as someone weary of the constant deception and uncertainty that define her existence. Unlike her role in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Moss’s performance here exhibits a subtler emotional range, which suits the character’s journey well.
However, despite Moss’s compelling portrayal, the series suffers from a lack of substantial narrative content to sustain its eight-episode run. While Moss, alongside Wagner Moura as the journalist aiding her and Jamie Bell as her relentless pursuer, delivers commendable performances, the storyline often feels drawn out and meandering. Certain episodes, particularly a flashback-heavy installment, seem more concerned with exposition than advancing Kirby’s story, highlighting the pressure to churn out more content rather than focusing on narrative depth.
In essence, “Shining Girls” presents glimpses of a compelling narrative, but these moments are overshadowed by unnecessary padding and over-examination of plot points. While the series possesses the potential for a gripping tale, it ultimately struggles to maintain momentum, resulting in a narrative that flickers rather than shines brightly.
“Shining Girls” premieres on Apple TV+ on Friday, April 29.
