Apple TV+’s Shining Girls: Elisabeth Moss’ new thriller has landed – and it’s as dark and twisted as you’d expect

Shining Girls

Credit: Apple TV+

Under Her Eye


Apple TV+’s Shining Girls: Elisabeth Moss’ new thriller has landed – and it’s as dark and twisted as you’d expect

By Lauren Geall

3 years ago

1 min read

Apple TV+’s new ‘metaphysical thriller’ Shining Girls stars Elisabeth Moss as a journalist on a mission to uncover the identity of a man who attacked her.

If there’s one thing Elisabeth Moss is particularly good at, it’s delivering the kind of dark and twisted performance that’s guaranteed to keep you on the edge of her seat.

From her career-defining performance in The Handmaid’s Tale to her portrayal of Cecilia Kass in The Invisible Man, Moss is the kind of actor who will always give it her all. And her performance in the new Apple TV+ thriller Shining Girls is no different.

As we saw in the official trailer for the series, Moss plays a Chicago-based newspaper journalist called Kirby Mazrachi, who is forced to put her journalistic ambitions on hold after she endures a brutal assault.

On a race against time to hunt down her elusive attacker, Kirby gets the feeling that he has been following her throughout her entire life. “He’s everybody, he’s nobody, he’s all the time,” she says fearfully. Are the sinister goings-on real, or is our protagonist losing her grip on reality after enduring trauma? Take a look:

Back in February, Apple TV+ released the first teaser introducing us to Kirby Mazrachi.

 “Everything is like always. And then it’s not,” Moss can be heard telling a friend, as we see different versions of her character flash across the screen.

From here, however, things get a bit more complicated. Not only do we get a glimpse into the kind of “blurred reality” the show’s synopsis promises (seriously, it’s a little hard to keep up), but we’re introduced to the elusive man who attacked Kirby and, as she discovers, a number of other women. You can watch the full clip below: 

If one thing’s for sure, Shining Girls is the kind of dark and twisted thriller we love – and if the reaction to the first couple of episodes is anything to go by, this show is quickly becoming a must-watch.

“Shining Girls is a compelling, and disturbing, show,” wrote one viewer.

“So, @AppleTV’s #ShiningGirls is pretty great so far,” added another.

And a third simply said: “Elizabeth Moss kills it no matter what the role.” 

As previously reported by Stylist, Shining Girls is based on the 2013 book of the same by Lauren Bukes, which follows Kirby on a mission to uncover the identity of her attacker after she learns about a number of cases that mirror her attack. 

Indeed, as the show’s official synopsis reads: “When Kirby learns that a recent murder mirrors her own case, she partners with seasoned, yet troubled reporter Dan Velazquez to uncover her attacker’s identity.”

Shining Girls

Credit: Apple TV+

It continues: “As they realize these cold cases are inextricably linked, their own personal traumas and Kirby’s blurred reality allow her assailant to remain one step ahead.”

As well as appearing in the series, Moss has also taken on the role of director and executive producer. She’s joined as executive producer by Bukes, Leonardo DiCaprio and a number of other names.

On-screen, Rocketman’s Jamie Bell, Narcos’ Wagner Moura and Hamilton’s Phillipa Soo also star. 

Image: Apple TV+

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