Black Mirror season 7 returns to its roots with new twists
Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
In 2023, Black Mirror's sixth season showed a noticeable shift from traditional technology-related anxieties into supernatural horror territory. This was evident in episodes like Mazey Day and the 'Red Mirror' branded Demon 79, which had mixed receptions.
The seventh season premiered on 10 April, and its episodes seek to reclaim the original identity by returning to technological dystopias and human drama. But they still dare to explore new themes.
Season 7 offers six episodes: Common People, Bête Noire, Hotel Reverie, Plaything, Eulogy, and USS Callister: Into Infinity.
The season has a stellar cast featuring Emma Corrin (who played in Deadpool & Wolverine), Peter Capaldi (One of the Doctor Who), Cristin Milioti (Tracey from HIMYM), and many others.
Common People sets a grim tone. The couple Mike (Chris O'Dowd) and Amanda (Rashida Jones) are devastated by Amanda's terminal illness. Their desperation leads them to Rivermind, a corporate-driven digital consciousness service. This episode criticises the exploitative healthcare system and corporate greed, pushing viewers into uncomfortable moral territory without clear redemption. This is classic Black Mirror pessimism at its finest.
Bête Noire is a bit into psychological horror. Maria (Siena Kelly) faces the consequences of past bullying through Verity's (Rosy McEwen) quantum device that distorts reality.
While the suspense is good, the episode has an abrupt and cyclical ending. It also lacked the more profound moral ambiguity seen in earlier seasons and raised questions about trauma and revenge cycles.
In Hotel Reverie, Brandy (Issa Rae) stars in a film remake alongside Clara (Emma Corrin), an AI recreating a legendary actress. The AI's newfound self-awareness sparks romance and disrupts the script. The episode cleverly explores AI ethics, digital resurrection, and creative authenticity.
Plaything has a non-linear narrative through Cameron Walker's (Peter Capaldi) troubled history with an immersive digital game. The episode theme is personal trauma and escapism, exploring how our past shapes technological engagement. While Capaldi's emotional portrayal was compelling, the story seems rushed, considering its non-linear nature. The episode also reprisals roles from the interactive Bandersnatch, such as Will Poulter and programmer Colin Ritman.
Eulogy delivers a deeply emotional experience with Phillip (Paul Giamatti) revisiting memories of his deceased wife through glitching memory technology. Unlike typical Black Mirror tales, this episode focuses purely on emotions and personal regret rather than technological fear. It is a powerful exploration of grief in a sci-fi setting.
The season finale, USS Callister: Into Infinity, is Black Mirror's first direct sequel, continuing from Season 4's beloved USS Callister. It features Cristin Milioti reprising her role as Nanette, leading her AI crew against corporate exploitation. Combining sci-fi action with criticism of the gig economy, like microtransactions, the episode effectively balances adventure and social commentary.
Black Mirror's seventh season successfully reconnects with its core themes of technological anxiety and human vulnerability while still experimenting with novel themes. Episodes like Eulogy and USS Callister: Into Infinity demonstrate the series' evolving potential. Fans should expect Black Mirror to continue pushing boundaries and exploring new themes and narratives. But this series will always reflect on our complex relationship with technology.