Shine Bright With More Crime Thrillers
If you’ve finished this one and are looking for something similar, we’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top 10 picks for alternate viewing.
To keep things simple for skim-readers we’ve added what similarities these have.
Of course for all the shows we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link so you can check out our full thoughts on that series and see if it’s something you want to invest your time with.
So without further ado, we present 10 TV shows that should whet the appetite when you’ve finished streaming Shining Girls!
Absentia
Absentia is a show full of plot twists, although one could argue that this show throws up one too many twists into the fold. Still, Absentia’s conclusive three-season run is helped by a really gripping plot that ends on a suitable high note.
The story revolves around FBI agent Emily Bryne who is found alive six years after her disappearance. Hampered with amnesia, Emily is forced to try and piece together her past, with specific emphasis on her time while kept in captivity.
To give much more away would be a disservice to this one but there’s a lot to like with this thriller.
Mouse
Similarities – Serial Murderer & Crime
Mouse is going to divide opinion. It’s undoubtedly a show with a lot of promise, including a twisty turny story about psychopaths and what drives them. With 20 episodes, some of which nearly 2 hours long, and several specials to flesh out characters, this is a really epic watch.
The story centers on Jung Ba-Reum, a rookie police officer working at a police substation. Honest and hardworking, he finds himself faced with the impossible, tasked with tracking down a psychopath murderer who places the entire nation in fear.
That’s the simple synopsis but with numerous timelines, lots of murders and numerous surprising twists, Mouse is undoubtedly gripping but complicated. It’s also slightly frustrating too, so do be aware of that. However, this one is undoubtedly an unforgettable experience!
Losing Alice
Similarities – Characters & Mystery
Losing Alice is an Israeli slow-burn erotic thriller. With an intriguing cast of characters at its core, the show does tend to meander a little in the middle but undoubtedly has a lot of similarities to Shining Girls.
The story here revolves around a woman named Alice, who finds her life turned upside down when she agrees to shoot a movie for a femme-fatale screenwriter Sophie.
As the series progresses, Alice realizes she’s stuck in a nightmare of her own making, unsure who to trust and who’s telling the truth. With some gorgeous shots and a pretty consistent tone, the beginning and end of this series is enough to recommend soldiering through the middle chapters.
You can read our thoughts on Losing Alice in our episode recaps here!
Homecoming
Similarities – Style
After the success of Mr. Robot, creator Sam Esmail set his sights on a new venture – noir-thriller Homecoming.
This intriguing thriller essentially splits its focus between the past and present. Main protagonist Heidi works as a waitress in present day America but at a company called Homecoming in the past.
This company, run by sleazy boss Colin, aims to rehabilitate damaged soldiers back into civilian life through an experimental, privately funded program. One of the stars of said program is vet Walter who has all the makings to be the perfect test subject.
With a significant chunk of Heidi’s memory mysteriously missing, Investigator Carrasco begins to piece together what happened in the present day timeline.
With 30 minute episodes and an uneasy dread clinging to large parts of the story, the aesthetic and visual design is very similar to Shining Girls. While the second season isn’t quite as effective as the first, there’s a lot to like here nonetheless.
You can read our thoughts on Homecoming in our full season review here!
Tabula Rasa
Similarities – Slow Burn Mystery
If you’re in the mood for slow burn thrillers, look no further than Belgium’s Tabula Rasa. With an intriguing premise, some solid characters and an itching mystery that compels you to see it through to its conclusion, this crime drama is certainly worth your time.
The psychological thriller revolves around an amnesia-stricken young woman called Mie, who’s locked up in a secure psychiatric hospital. When she receives a visit from Detective Wolkers, he claims to be the last person seen with Thomas Spectre, who has vanished.
As a witness and prime suspect in the case, Mie is forced to remember what happened that night before she can even think about being released. In order to fight for the truth, Mie is forced into reconstructing her lost memories. The more she remembers though, the more Mie starts to distrust those around her.
Moody, ambitious and really well written, Tabula Rasa is a solid series to check out.
Sharp Objects
Similarities – Mystery & Characters
Psychologically charged murder mystery Sharp Objects is as engaging as it is technically impressive. From the exquisite sound design to the perfect editing, every part of Sharp Objects has been finely tuned and crafted to create a compelling mystery.
The story follows troubled reporter Camille who begrudgingly finds herself assigned to reporting a violent murder case in her hometown Wind Gap. Haunted by a troubled past mired in violence and depression, Camille feels alienated from the adults, growing closer to the young girls whom the killer in town is targeting.
The show is as engaging as it is enthralling and definitely a must-watch if you’re looking for a compelling character-driven mystery.
You can read our thoughts on Sharp Objects in our full season review here!
Unbelievable
Similarities – Abuse Victims & Slow Burn Investigation
Shocking, methodically paced and really well written, Unbelievable is a poignant and important reminder that sexual assault has far broader psychological effects than the despicable act itself. Split across 8 episodes and shot between two timelines, Netflix’s latest crime mystery series manages to juggle both stories perfectly, slowly building up tension and pace toward the climactic finale that sees this story come to an end.
Inspired by real events, Unbelievable is, at its core, a rape case procedural. Young, distraught Marie reports a rape to the police in 2008 and after being forced to repeat her story numerous times to different officers, finds herself on the wrong end of the law, as her hazy memory and inconsistent story leads her into a false report that sees her facing arrest and possible jail time.
While at times the series is a little slow, especially early on, Unbelievable is worth sticking with to see the dramatic way this one closes out. Netflix’s police procedural is certainly one of the better offerings on the platform.
You can read our thoughts on Unbelievable in our full season review here!
The Sinner
Similarities – Characters & Drama
From the onset, its obvious that there’s something unsettling lurking in the shadows of The Sinner. The first season starts just like a standard mystery thriller; a short build up leads to young mother Cora Tannetti stabbing a man on a beach for seemingly no reason.
With the crime already committed and shown in visceral detail, two key questions drives the show forward – why did she kill him and what drove her to commit this crime? The question hangs over the show like a black cloud and when Investigator Harry Ambrose begins digging deeper, a slowly opening puzzle box of clues sheds more light on the motive.
As truths surface and lies are uncovered, this methodically paced mystery keeps the suspense running right through to its climactic ending, playing as a why-dun-it rather than a who-dun-it.
As the seasons progress, Harry Ambrose is the glue that holds the seasons together as different crimes come to light. The first season is undoubtedly the strongest of the three though.
You can read our thoughts on The Sinner in our full season review here!
Twin Peaks
Similarities – Tone & Mood
Twin Peaks is one of those classic, quintessential shows from the 90’s that sticks with you long after the final credits have rolled. The simple story about a peculiar FBI agent investigating the murder of a young woman – in the even more peculiar town of Twin Peaks – is simple but surprisingly effective.
It’s one of those rare gems that completely changed the landscape of the small screen when it released in 1990 and showed what could be achieved with horror through this medium.
There’s some genuinely creepy moments along the way, typified by the stunningly horrific nightmare montage in the episode “Lonely Soul.”
If you haven’t watched this already, you absolutely should – it’s one of the better shows out there.
The Chestnut Man
If you’re a fan of crime dramas, you really don’t want to pass up watching The Chestnut Man. Well written, gritty and utterly engrossing from start to finish, this Nordic noir is nicely poised to end September with a bang.
Adapted from the novel by Soren Sveistrup, The Chestnut Man is incredibly chilling and captures the same atmosphere and tone the books are synonymous with.
Much like the books, the story here centers on police detective Naia Thulin and her new associate Mark Hess. It’s your typical “new guy teamed up with hardened senior” set-up, but this is a show that leans in harder to its plot than its characters.
That’s not a bad thing though and across the six episodes you’ll find yourself trying your best to piece together all the clues and solve the crime before our detectives do.
This Nordic drama is beautifully constructed, well-paced and a must to put on your watch-list.
You can check out our full season review of The Chestnut Man here!
So there we have it, our 10 TV show alternatives to watch when you’re finished with Shining Girls on AppleTV+!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!