Black Mirror is back with season 7 and six more episodes full of thrilling, over-the-top stories that hit a bit too close to home. The stories include — Common People, Bete Noire, Hotel Reverie, Plaything, Eulogy and USS Callister: Into Infinity. Sharp and satirical, the series continues to hold viewers’ attention with its relevant storytelling and fantastic performances.
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Black Mirror Season 7 Directors
Ally Pankiw, Toby Haynes, Haolu Wang, David Slade, Chris Barrett, Luke Taylor, Toby Haynes
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Black Mirror Season 7 Cast
Rashida Jones, Chris O’Dowd, Tracee Ellis Ross, Siena Kelly, Rosy McEwen, Michael Workéyè, Issa Rae, Awkwafina, Emma Corrin, Peter Capaldi, Lewis Gribben, Paul Giamatti, Patsy Ferran, Cristin Milioti, Jimmi Simpson, Billy Magnussen, Milanka Brooks
The series has 6 episodes, each with a runtime of around 50 minutes.
Black Mirror Season 7 Review
This season’s stories are surprisingly grounded and not too far-fetched, leaving us to soak in a very human experience while also feeling very scared for everything we see coming to us in the future. It’s also fantastic thanks to its excellent performances, and everyone is just so good that it’s hard not to be immersed in the beautiful storytelling, regardless of whether it’s thrilling or warm and fuzzy.
Common People
Starring Rashida Jones and Chris O’Dowd as a married couple who face a heartbreaking situation when she suddenly goes into a coma, Black Mirror Season 7 Episode 1 opens with a harrowing tale of our subscription-based world. As the world has slowly moved into more and more subscription tiers and everything is paid monthly, things are starting to feel more and more desperate and constricted. People are promised better entertainment and life if they just pay this one payment every month, and then are baited and switched to go one level above. The episode hit very close to him and left me gasping as our protagonists are pushed over the edge of what they can and cannot afford.
Bête Noire
The second episode follows food whiz Maria, who is left absolutely flabbergasted when her high-school classmate Verity joins her office. It’s clear from the get-go that there’s something off about Maria and Verity’s relationship, and soon enough, things start to go just a little haywire every day. This episode really felt like being gaslighted by the universe somehow — you don’t know how, but it’s maddening. The explanation comes in the last few minutes, and that’s a little far-fetched, but every minute before that is absolutely thrilling in every sense of the term.
Hotel Reverie
In the third episode, we follow Brandy Friday, who gets roped into a high-tech, unusually immersive remake of a vintage British film that sets off a surprising set of situations that may or may not lead to her consciousness getting lost. This story is absolutely bonkers and is really immersive. From the romantic storyline to the sci-fi part, the story finds itself mixing with each other beautifully. It’s the one in the series which left my heart fluttering somehow, like being taken on a journey through time and space… which I guess it is!
Plaything
In the fourth story, an eccentric murder suspect from near-future London finds himself in the midst of controversy when the police find an unusual video game from the 1990s in his possession. Confused about what is going on, the police run into something a bit more than they were prepared for. And honestly, we too probably. This story is intense. It starts off meek and almost generic — a murder case and a delusional man at the middle of it. However, it goes off on a tangent that one will never be able to fathom and will end on a shocking note that will leave viewers on edge. I found myself unable to breathe at times, more so because Peter Capaldi is absolutely captivating. Also, the segment brings to light how destructive lonely people can be, who have only their virtual life to keep them company.
Also Read: Black Mirror Season 6 Explainers
Eulogy
This segment follows an old, isolated man who finds himself immersed in old memories after a friend’s death prompts a virtual assistant to bring them to life, literally. What a fascinating watch this one was, a truly enchanting journey through a person’s warm memories of days gone by. It made me feel nostalgic about a past that I was not a part of. I loved the use of technology in this regard, it’s so poignant that it will make your heart hurt. This story is the most grounded of the lot and the least out there, but it’s still a memorable watch.
USS Callister: Into Infinity
The last episode of the seventh season features a sequel to the 4th season’s USS Callisater and continues after Nanette Cole killed Robert Daly in-game, and then goes on a journey with her remaining crew. Unfortunately, now she has to deal with the death of Daly while keeping her crew alive. Of course, things get more complicated than that, and its 90 minutes runtime is an adventure and a half of thrilling and far-out concepts full of twists and turns. It’s a fantastic episode, and I found myself thoroughly entertained.
In the end, Black Mirror Season 7 is a grounded, thrilling and emotional watch that is absolutely immersive. Let us know what you thought about the season in the comments below!
Also Read: Black Mirror Season 7 Ending Explained: Every Episode Breakdown