Shining Girls
Shining Girls is an American science fiction thriller television series that premiered on Apple TV+ in 2022, based on Lauren Beukes' 2013 novel. The series follows Kirby Mazrachi, a Chicago archivist whose reality is constantly shifting after she survives a brutal attack by an unknown assailant. Haunted by her trauma and a world that keeps changing around her, Kirby discovers a murder with striking similarities to her own assault. She partners with a struggling reporter, Dan Velazquez, to piece together the identity of her attacker, a mysterious serial killer who appears to operate across different timelines via a supernatural 'House'.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe series features strong and graphic violence, central to the plot of a serial killer targeting women. Depictions include brutal assaults, stabbings, strangulation, and visible injuries. The violence is often explicit and disturbing, exploring the lasting trauma on victims.
Kirby Mazrachi endures a brutal assault where her abdomen is cut open, and an object is left inside her body. The killer, Harper, strangles Jin-Sook (Phillipa Soo) towards the end of an early episode. Reporter Dan Velazquez is ambushed and stabbed by Harper. A scene of sexual threat involves a villainous character roughly manhandling a woman, pinning her down, and punching her in the face when she refuses his advances. Dead bodies, decomposing bodies, and photos of victims with bloody cuts and wounds are shown in darkly lit scenes.
Profanity
HighThe series contains frequent and strong profanity, including the most offensive English curse words. Language is used throughout the dialogue by various characters, reflecting the intense and often stressful nature of the narrative.
Strong language is used frequently, including the 'f*ck' word multiple times, 'sh*t' numerous times, 'son of a b*tch,' and 'g-d d*mn.' The BBFC notes occurrences of 'f**k,' 'bitch,' 'shit,' 'hell,' and 'God.' The name of Jesus is misused once. Kirby recounts that her attacker called her a 'whore.'
Witchcraft & Occult
HighThe series incorporates a central supernatural element through a time-traveling 'House' that grants the serial killer Harper Curtis his abilities. While not traditional witchcraft or magic, the House functions as a mystical, powerful entity that dictates Harper's actions and allows him to exist across different eras, giving the show a strong occult-like undercurrent.
The 'House' serves as a supernatural portal, enabling Harper Curtis to travel through time and commit murders. The House is described as an "independent totem of power" that calls out to Harper, a truly evil person, and rejects others, indicating a malevolent intelligence. Kirby eventually gains control of this House, turning its power against Harper.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe series is a psychological thriller with significant scary and intense content, including a pervasive horror-like atmosphere, graphic violence, and disorienting reality shifts. These elements are central to portraying the trauma experienced by the protagonist.
The show is described as having "many scenes come a horror-like vibe" and includes "gruesome imagery." Kirby's constantly shifting reality, where her environment and relationships change without warning (e.g., her cat becoming a dog, or finding herself married to a colleague she barely knows), creates profound disorientation and psychological distress. Flashbacks to Kirby's attack are framed in a way that feels "eerily reminiscent of a sexual assault," adding to the upsetting nature of these scenes.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe series includes a brief mention of two female characters dancing together, which, while not explicitly defined as a romantic relationship, is noted by LGBTQ-focused media as a moment of potential queer representation. No central LGBTQ characters or storylines are explicitly detailed as driving the main plot.
In the episode "Offset" (Episode 7), Madeline Brewer's character Klara is mentioned to have danced with Kirby (Elisabeth Moss) in a bar in 1981. This interaction, while not explicitly sexual or romantic, is highlighted by a 'Queer.Horror.Movies' review, suggesting it is perceived as an instance of potential LGBTQ-related content.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumSexual content is not explicit in terms of sex scenes, but includes strong sexual threat and implied sexual perversion. Some characters are shown in revealing attire or underwear. The violence against women carries strong sexual undertones in its portrayal.
The series "hint[s] at a sexual perversion that may become far more apparent on screen as the series unravels." There is a scene depicting a sexual threat where the villainous character roughly manhandles a woman, pins her down onto a bed, and punches her after she refuses to have sex with him. While no explicit sex scenes are shown, some characters are depicted in their underwear or scantily clad attire.
Substance Use
MediumSubstance use, primarily alcohol and some smoking, is present and integrated into character backstories and ongoing behaviors. A main character struggles with alcoholism, impacting his professional and personal life.
Reporter Dan Velazquez is characterized as an alcoholic journalist who is "battling his own personal demons." Abby, a recurring character, speaks to Kirby and expresses concerns about Dan's drinking. There are scenes depicting characters drinking hard liquor and one instance of a woman smoking a cigarette.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumWhile not a primary theme of overt disrespect, there are instances of characters disregarding authority or conventional rules to achieve their goals. This is often framed within the context of investigating a serial killer when official channels fail.
Dan Velazquez and Kirby Mazrachi illegally access and use police records of cold cases, which Dan acknowledges they "are not supposed to have," to further their investigation into the serial killer. A police officer attempts to frame a mentally ill man for a crime he did not commit, demonstrating a disregard for justice and proper procedure by an authority figure.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe series has minimal anti-Christian content. There is one specific instance of God's name being misused and a character's mother is briefly described as having been 'reborn' as an evangelical Christian, which could be interpreted neutrally or with subtle undertones, but does not constitute a central anti-Christian theme.
The name of Jesus is misused once. Kirby's mother is described by a reviewer as being "reborn in a more literal sense than usual as an evangelical Christian," appearing as a result of Kirby's shifting realities. This portrayal is a shifting detail of Kirby's life rather than a commentary on Christianity itself.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Adults 18+ due to pervasive strong violence, graphic injury detail, disturbing psychological themes, sexual threat, and frequent strong language. The series centers on a serial killer who targets women, depicting brutal attacks and their traumatic aftermath. The content is consistently intense and mature.
Additional Notes
The series is a standalone season of 8 episodes, and there are no known sequels or direct adaptations that escalate content concerns beyond what is present in this initial series. While based on a book, certain plot points and elements (like Kirby's shifting reality) were expanded or altered for the television adaptation. The show is praised for its powerful portrayal of trauma and Elisabeth Moss's performance.
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