Black Mirror: Bandersnatch is a 2018 Netflix original interactive film. Written by Charlie Brooker and directed by David Slade, Bandersnatch belongs to the sci-fi anthology series Black Mirror. Released 28 December, 2018 Bandersnatch made its place in media history as the first interactive film on Netflix.
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch is unique in that viewers directly decide the progression and outcome of their watching experience. The film follows programmer Stefan Butler in the year 1984 as he draws influence from a fantasy gamebook and incorporates it into the video game he is inventing. Throughout the film the viewer is prompted to choose between two decisions on the screen and these choices move the plot forward. Depending on the choices the viewer makes, they have the ability to unlock numerous different endings. Themes of free will and postmodernism stand at the center of the plot, and there are over a trillion possible paths the viewer can take. Netflix reports five main endings, each with subtle variations.
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch received mixed reviews from audiences. While the film was the recipient of several awards, questionable marketing choices prevented Bandersnatch from reaching ultimate success. The film was only announced the day before its release and while advertisements popped up after it was available on Netflix, it was already basically too late to build anticipation or shock value in viewers.
I personally have been obsessed with Black Mirror: Bandersnatch from the moment it was released. I have reached several endings, watched over twenty times, and I love the 80’s scoring. It was really fun for me when Bandersnatch first came out, as I would convince (force) one of my friends (victims) to watch the film with me. It was exciting for both me and my friends to watch and try to unlock the different endings. We found ourselves fighting over which decisions to make and it was an overall, very intense watching experience. The psychological thriller contains a few jumpscares, audio tricks, and cinematic devices that help the film stand out as the only one of its kind, and as a film in general.
If you haven’t watched Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, that’s really embarrassing. It’s been out for a long time and the writers of Black Mirror have proved themselves for years now. The shortest run-time for the film is forty minutes, but average viewing time is ninety minutes. I’m attaching a chart that shows you how to unlock the various different endings to the movie. It is totally worth it to watch this film, and you should! Like now.
Okay bye!
