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The Best Of Black Mirror On Netflix
How do you describe Black Mirror to a newcomer? It’s like a twisted, futuristic upgrade of The Twilight Zone mixed with Tales from the Crypt, where each episode explores the dark side of technology.
But here’s the thing: don’t judge the series based on a single episode. Each one is a self-contained story with a different cast, tone, and level of impact. If you’re ready to handle the unsettling twists and unpredictable turns that come with every episode, you’re in for a treat. That said, some episodes do fall short or leave you questioning whether to continue.
The show’s name, Black Mirror, refers to the screens of our devices—smartphones, TVs, computers—reflecting a dark, often unsettling view of the world.
I began my journey into Black Mirror unaware that Netflix had randomly started me on Season 4, Episode 1. I didn’t realize it until the second episode, which completely changed the cast and story. Confused, I restarted from Season 1 but found it underwhelming. While Season 1 was decent, it felt like the show was still finding its voice. In contrast, Season 4 was a massive leap in quality and storytelling.
After binge-watching all six seasons and their spinoffs, I’ve curated a list of my top five Black Mirror episodes that I highly recommend. These episodes are masterpieces, with layers of social commentary and haunting narratives that invite multiple rewatches.
While there are many more standout episodes, these five are a perfect starting point. Where you go from here, is up to you.
With Black Mirror Season 7 on the horizon, I’m confident it will deliver the same high-quality storytelling and jaw-dropping twists that have made the series so unforgettable.
It’s safe to say many of us will be glued to our “Black” screens when it drops on April 10. We hold high hopes for even more gripping stories and unsettling twists in the future, as the series continues to explore the depths of technology and its impact on society. For now, let’s rewind:
1. USS Callister
Season 4, Episode 1, Robert Daly (Jesse Plemons), a reclusive but gifted programmer and co-founder of a popular massively multiplayer online game who is bitter over the lack of recognition of his position from his coworkers. He takes out his frustrations by simulating a Star Trek–like space adventure within the game, using his co-workers’ DNA to create sentient digital clones of them. Acting as the captain of the USS Callister starship, Daly is able to order his co-workers around, bend them to his will, and mistreat them if they get out of line. When Daly brings newly hired Nanette Cole (Cristin Milioti) into his game, she encourages the other clones to revolt against Daly.
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2. San Junipero
Season 3, Episode 4, is set in a nostalgic, 1980s-inspired beach town where people can upload their consciousness to live in a simulated reality after death. The story follows Yorkie, a shy woman who is new to San Junipero, and Kelly, a lively, confident local. As they form a deep connection, Yorkie reveals her desire to stay in the digital afterlife permanently, while Kelly struggles with the idea, haunted by her past. The episode explores themes of love, regret, and the ethical implications of immortality, culminating in a bittersweet but hopeful ending that challenges perceptions of life and death.
3. Shut Up And Dance
Season 3, Episode 2, follows teenager Kenny, who is blackmailed after his computer is hacked and compromising footage of him is leaked. Desperate to protect his reputation, he follows the hacker’s increasingly dangerous orders, teaming up with a man named Hector, who’s also being blackmailed. As the two are pushed into a series of criminal acts, the tension mounts, leading to shocking twists about the true nature of the hacker’s intentions. The episode explores themes of privacy, shame, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets, leaving viewers questioning the true cost of keeping our digital lives secure.
4. Playtest
Season 3, Episode 2, follows Cooper, an adventurous American who signs up for a trial of a cutting-edge augmented reality game. The game’s technology immerses him in terrifying, lifelike scenarios based on his deepest fears. As the game blurs the lines between reality and simulation, Cooper’s psychological state begins to unravel, leading to a shocking twist. The episode explores themes of fear, technology’s power over the mind, and the consequences of pushing boundaries in immersive gaming. It’s a chilling look at the intersection of entertainment and mental manipulation. (Fun Fact; Wyatt Russell – the lead in this episode – is Kurt Russell’s son!)
5. Beyond The Sea
Season 6, Episode 1, follows two astronauts, Cliff and David, on a deep-space mission in the 1960s. They use advanced technology to swap consciousnesses, experiencing life on Earth while their bodies remain in space. Tensions rise as their personal lives intertwine, leading to moral dilemmas and unexpected consequences.
Black Mirror Season 7 premieres April 10 on Netflix.
