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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board  /  Movie, Television and DVD Reviews  /  Shining Girls
Posted by: LC, June 25th, 2022, 11:31pm
Shining Girls, based on the novel The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes, showing (in Oz) on Apple TV is fantastic viewing..

Combining Thriller, Horror, SciFi & Mystery, and time-shifting realities, the first couple of episodes might appear a bit slow and do your head in, but it's well worth sticking with it as the plot ramps up, and more and more is revealed to each strand of the story. If you like stories dark and gritty with Fincher vibes this one won't disappoint.

Elizabeth Moss plays Kirby, a newspaper archivist in search of a serial killer, named Harper, played by the very creepy and sinister Jamie Bell (yep, he of Billy Elliot fame - who would guessed). The twist here is (and this is no Spoiler, btw) she is the one person who has escaped with her life after being attacked and left for dead, and so when a second victim turns up with identical trademark wounds as her own (this time fatal), she teams up with investigative reporter, Dan (Wagner Moura) and they embark on a relentless pursuit of the killer.

If this all sounds a bit familiar and you're feeling a bit jaded with the ol' victim goes in search of a serial killer trope, think again. The character work here is terrific, the filmmaking is top class, the direction inspired. Silka Luisa wrote the script and DiCaprio's production company was involved in bringing it from book to screen. Elisabeth Moss not only took on the plum role but also acted as EP and also proved her flair for directing.

Though it may start out a bit slow, and the time-shifting realities may do your head in, Shining Girls is well worth the crazy mind-bending ride right to the end.

Final episodes of series often leave me unsatisfied and wanting more, particularly where time-travel is concerned but this one hit the sweet spot.

A 5-star rating from me.
Posted by: Don, June 28th, 2022, 10:17pm; Reply: 1
LC,

You had me at "time-shifting realities".

Thank you so much.

- Don
Posted by: Grandma Bear, June 29th, 2022, 8:58am; Reply: 2
I watched the first episode and I liked it and was willing to give the next one a shot, but then I had to pay Apple+. I'm not giving Apple any more of my money. I've given them enough. Besides, I have more channels than I could possibly use as is. So, I'll just wait until it becomes free.  ;D
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