Black Mirror: Ranking Every Episode From Worst To Best

11. Bandersnatch

Black Mirror Bandersnatch Fionn Whitehead
Netflix

In lieu of Season 5 - although that is still happening - we got Bandersnatch, an interactive Black Mirror film that puts you in control of the narrative. Sort of.

The Choose Your Own Adventure mechanics riff on the books and computer games of old, and it's the latter that most informs what Bandersnatch is. It's not really a film or an episode of Black Mirror, but a game. Starting off in the life of Stefan, a programmer who wants to make his own video game, we're forced to make a series of choices to progress his story and ultimately define his life. Sugar Puffs or Frosties? Accept or Reject? Yeah or F**K YEAH?

Each choice weighs heavy upon you, making this a lot of fun to 'play'. Where Bandersnatch is lacking, though, is in story. Its narrative is incredibly slight, there's little-to-no actual character development, and only one of the many endings comes close to being satisfying. Taken as a movie, or thought of next to other Black Mirror episodes, Bandersnatch doesn't really work. As an ambitious interactive effort, and looked at as a game, though, it's something you can get a lot out of, which is why it's middle of the road here.

[JH]

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.

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Josh has over 11 years of experience as a published writer, having worked nine of those years as a full-time content producer at WhatCulture. In that period he has created hundreds of articles, videos and podcast episodes for multiple WhatCulture channels, specialising in gaming, horror and film & TV. He now primarily works as a senior content producer and presenter on WhatCulture Gaming where he co-hosts the WhatCulture Gaming Podcast, a top 3 UK most listened to gaming podcast that he co-created in 2018. Over the years he has reviewed several high-profile gaming releases, covered industry events with on-site reporting, opined on breaking news, and even kicked off his interviewing career by chatting to childhood hero, Tommy Wiseau.