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

*Warning: Spoilers ahead*

As a true admirer of the thriller genre, I was instantly intrigued when I saw the trailer for the new Apple TV+ series,Shining Girls,based on the best-selling novel by Lauren Beukes.Elisabeth Moss(who you may know fromThe Handmaid's Tale) plays a reserved young woman named Kirby Mazrachi. As a newspaper archivist for theChicago Sun-Times, she soon finds herself trying to pick up the pieces of her life after a brutal attack leaves her questioning reality.

Kirby learns that another woman has fallen victim to her attacker. Determined to catch the culprit before he strikes again, she teams up with a veteran journalist named Dan Velazquez (Wagner Moura). Together, they try to stop the assailant while Kirby grapples with her troubling past.

But, is this show worth the watch? Keep scrolling to read my honest review ofShining Girls.

The episode starts in the year 1992 and we’re first introduced to our main protagonist. Kirby is writing down all her daily activities in a journal. She documents the small details in her life, from her cat’s name to who her roommate Rachel is. This is the first indication of her ever-changing mental state, which plays a key role throughout the episode.

For example, Kirby returns home from work and hears a loud bang on the door. The sound grows louder with each passing second. Then, a dog emerges from the other side, which startles Kirby (and us as well). Later on, it becomes apparent that she doesn’t have a cat, but a dog named Grendel. After the traumatic assault, it seems Kirby has a hard time differentiating what is her present reality. In some ways, her past life seems to blur with the present, oftentimes leaving the viewer in a state of confusion, which makes it a truly great watch.

Crime show lovers will really enjoyShining Girlsfor its intense, thrilling narrative. 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 will premiere this Friday, April 29, on Apple TV+. The remaining six episodes will be released on a weekly basis. And, take it from me, you certainly won’t be disappointed with this gripping crime drama.

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

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

Check out our new weekly podcast,Stream On, featuring reviews and debates about the best shows, movies and more!