Elisabeth Moss’s Thriller ‘Shining Girls’ Is Confusing, Reality-Bending and a Really Good Watch

As a viewer I also had a tough time telling what’s real and what's fake—and that in itself makes the story even more terrifying. Not only that, it causes us to further empathize with Kirby, and Moss does an exceptional job of making us feel every raw emotion.

Another concept I found myself loving is that the show is told from the attacker’s point of view. Throughout the episode, we see the assailant stalking his next victim, who is another young woman named Jin-sook. Even though Kirby doesn’t know the identity of her attacker, we get to see him in the flesh—and we learn his sinister tactics and how he lures women.

Yes, the concept makes the show even more engaging—I found myself wanting to learn more about the attacker and his backstory. Like, what made him choose this life? Who are the other victims?

Is Shining Girls Worth It?

After watching the first episode, Shining Girls is undoubtedly a promising thriller that will keep viewers on their toes. Take it from me, who watched the episode from beginning to end and wanted to immediately watch the next episode (I was left with quite a few questions). It’s a confusing, yet gripping watch.

PureWow Rating: 5 Out of 5 Stars

Crime show lovers will really enjoy Shining Girls for its intense, thrilling narrative. From its shocking twists and turns to jaw-dropping revelations, the series will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end, even as you struggle to separate fantasy from reality in Kirby’s ever-changing world.

The first three episodes premiered on Friday, April 29, 2022, on Apple TV+. The remaining six episodes were released on a weekly basis, with the season finale airing on June 3, 2022. And, take it from me, you certainly won’t be disappointed with this gripping crime drama.

Will There Be a Shining Girls Season 2?

While the finale episode of Shining Girls season one wrapped up the series in a neatly tied bow, fans still wanted to know: Could there possibly be a season two?

The Apple TV+ series concluded the same way as the novel. But star Elisabeth Moss believes there is more to the story.

Back in June 2022, the actress sat down with The Wrap and shared her hopes for a second season. “Personally speaking, just honestly, I feel like there’s more story to tell,” she told the outlet. “I think that sometimes with the first season, you’ve just given everybody a lay of the land. And then in the second season, you get to actually get down to business and have some fun. So I would be interested in ‘where do we go now’ and not having to explain the world, but getting to go deeper into it.”

Moss went on to share that there have been talks to continue the series, revealing, “It’s not like nobody talks about it, right? Anytime anything goes well, everyone’s like, ‘Should we do it again?’ [But] there are many people that have to make that decision, as you know, and the big conversation and all of that. So, actually, honestly, I don’t know right now.”

Want all the latest entertainment news sent right to your inbox? Click here.

For a full breakdown of PureWow's entertainment rating system, click here.