Every week we’re bringing you recommendations for great movies or TV shows streaming on Netflix. This week’s selection is…
“Black Mirror” Created by Charlie Brooker; Written by Charlie Brooker, Jesse Armstrong, Konnie Huq, and Christopher Morris; Starring Rory Kinnear, Daniel Kaluuya, Toby Kebbell, Hayley Atwell, Domhnall Gleeson, Lenora Crichlow, Daniel Rigby, and Jon Hamm; Run time: 60 minutes; Originally aired December 4, 2011.
“Black Mirror” is an anthology series originally aired on Channel 4 in the UK. The series has been described as a darker and more modern “Twilight Zone” exploring the fringes of technological consequence.
The show’s creator, Charlie Brooker, explained the series stating, “If technology is a drug – and it does feel like a drug – then what, precisely, are the side-effects? This area – between delight and discomfort – is where Black Mirror, my new drama series, is set. The ‘black mirror’ of the title is the one you’ll find on every wall, on every desk, in the palm of every hand: the cold, shiny screen of a TV, a monitor, a smartphone.”
Each episode of “Black Mirror” has a completely different cast, in a different situation, living in a completely different time or world, but each carries with it the implications of unfettered technology. Upon watching the first episode “The National Anthem” I wasn’t immediately hooked and almost didn’t watch any more, but I’m really glad I did. The series gets stronger and stronger as it goes along, the final episode of season one “The Entire History of You” was particularly apt at capturing the imagination. It explores a world wherein a person’s entire life is captured via an implant in the neck, your memories can be recalled and even displayed for friends and family with sometimes awful consequences.
That episode also captured the attention of Robert Downey Jr. who has optioned the rights to the episode for a film adaptation by Warner Bros. and his own production company.
RDJ isn’t the only Hollywood alum who’s taken notice, Stephen King also had a kind if brief review of the series.
With recommendations like that what the hell do you need me for?
Season two of the series picked up just as strongly with “Be Right Back” a story of love, grief, and the terrifying power of the internet to catalogue our lives. This episode stars Hayley Atwell and Domhnall Gleeson (“Captain America”/”Agent Carter” and “Ex Machina”/”Frank” respectively).
Brooker announced on January 9, 2014 that a third season would be produced but it has yet to surface, a 90 minute Christmas special entitled “White Christmas” was released December 16, 2014 starring Jon Hamm. “White Christmas” is the only episode not currently streaming on Netflix, so I’ve included it for you below.
The series has been roundly acclaimed by critics and anecdotal reviews I’ve personally received have ranged from “Holy crap, it’s the best thing I’ve ever seen.” to “Holy crap, I can’t watch it, it makes me feel creepy.” Both reviews are, to my mind, equally complimentary.
According to an announcement in January of this year there are plans to adapt the series for the United States, to which I say, why bother? While a series like “The Office” didn’t quite find its feet in the UK and benefited from a US adaptation, “Black Mirror” has found an audience, streaming services like Netflix have brought it to the global community and there’s no reason to rehash old territory. I’d rather see the money that would go into an adaptation be given to Brooker, let him handle his creation, let him carry it as long as he can, he’s given no cause for us to believe he can’t handle it.