Shining Vale

Critical reception for Starz's horror-comedy series Shining Vale was mixed, with reviewers broadly recognizing the ambition behind blending sitcom family dynamics with creepy supernatural tropes, while disagreeing on how effectively the show balanced those genres. Many critics pointed out that combining visceral laughter with genuine horror scares is a difficult high-wire act, leading to a tone that felt uneven or caught between horror parody and family drama.

Despite the frequent criticisms regarding tone and pacing, Courteney Cox's lead performance as Patricia Phelps received near-universal acclaim. Critics highlighted her performance as the best element of the series, praising her ability to anchor the show with sharp comedic timing and dramatic vulnerability as a woman navigating middle age, creative burnout, and potential possession.

Reactions to the writing and humor were more divided. While some outlets praised the show as a sharp, cleverly written riff on classics like The Shining, others felt that co-creators Sharon Horgan and Jeff Astrof front-loaded clichés at the expense of sharper jokes, leaving the show struggling to deliver convincing scares or consistent laughs.