Finally finished THE SHARDS on Disney+. As a longtime fan of Ryan Murphy, I always come into his projects expecting something bold, stylish, unpredictable, and just a little bit unsettling. The Shards delivers exactly that—and then keeps you guessing.
Based on Bret Easton Ellis’ novel, the series takes us back to 1980s Los Angeles, following a group of privileged teenagers whose seemingly perfect lives begin to unravel when a mysterious serial killer enters their world. What initially feels like a coming-of-age story slowly transforms into something darker, stranger, and far more psychologically intense.
And honestly, I’m in love with the ’80s setting. There is something about the fashion, music, cars, interiors, school culture, and overall atmosphere that makes the series incredibly immersive. I dont remember anything about the 80s despite being born in 82. I am a 90s kid. So I am always interested in the 80s. And in the series, the period setting isn’t simply there for nostalgia; it becomes part of the show’s identity. Everything feels polished on the surface, yet there is always this unsettling feeling that something is lurking underneath. That’s also what I enjoy about Ryan Murphy’s storytelling. He knows how to make a series visually addictive while keeping the audience curious. The Shards constantly plays with that feeling of not knowing exactly what is real, what is imagined, and what might happen next. It’s stylish, disturbing, mysterious, and occasionally downright bizarre—which, for me, makes it difficult to stop watching.
What really kept me hooked was the sense of discovery. Rather than simply handing viewers all the answers, the story allows you to piece things together along the way. You find yourself questioning the characters, their motives, and even your own assumptions about what you’re watching.
I’m also obsessed with the university uniforms and ’80s fashion—the preppy styling, perfectly done hair, glamorous interiors, luxury cars, and effortless elegance all capture that fascinating world of wealthy Hollywood families and privileged young people. There’s so much glamour in the way they dress and live, but underneath that polished, beautiful surface is a world of secrets, obsession, and danger—and I love that contrast.
And this made me think about Pinoy content.
I honestly hope we get more Filipino series willing to take this kind of creative risk—stories that aren’t afraid to be surprising, exciting, mysterious, and genuinely curious. We have so many stories and settings that could be explored beyond the usual formulas. Imagine a Filipino series with a strong period setting, an unpredictable mystery, complex characters, and a story that keeps audiences theorizing from episode to episode. I have seen what ABS-CBN did to the series such as What Lies Beneath, Can’t Buy Me Love and The Secrets of Hotel 88 co -pro with GMA Network. These are really good!
We don’t always need to know exactly where a story is going. Sometimes, the fun is in being surprised. For me, The Shards is a fascinating mix of ’80s nostalgia, psychological mystery, teen drama, and Ryan Murphy’s signature flair. It may not be for everyone, but if you enjoy atmospheric stories that keep you questioning what you’re seeing, this is definitely worth checking out.
My verdict: stylish, mysterious, unsettling, and irresistibly curious. ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Now, I’m just hoping Filipino storytellers give us something equally unexpected—something that makes us say, “Wait… what happens next?”
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