Ranked to Ruin: The 15 Most Mind-Blowing 'Black Mirror' Episodes

For over a decade, “Black Mirror” has sent shivers down the spines of viewers by showcasing the potential pitfalls of technological advancements. Now, it’s back for another round with Season 7 streaming on Netflix.

Initially airing as an anthology series on the UK’s Channel 4, “Black Mirror” transitioned to Netflix with Season 3. To date, it has produced 32 standalone episodes, a special titled “White Christmas,” and the interactive film “Bandersnatch.” With Season 7, enthusiasts of dark sci-fi storytelling and unexpected plot twists can look forward to six more episodes for their viewing pleasure.

Charlie Brooker primarily developed the series “Black Mirror,” penning most of its episodes independently, though he occasionally received assistance. Each narrative centers around a disturbing aspect of close-future technology, a dismal future society, or an intense cultural preoccupation that brings chaos into characters’ lives, often culminating in an unexpectedly dark or violent conclusion – however, there are exceptions! The majority of episodes conclude in sorrow, despair, or gruesome demise for the cast. In contrast, certain episodes like “Hang the DJ” and “San Junipero,” offer a more optimistic resolution.

If you’re seeking something more mysterious and unsettling, shows such as “The National Anthem” (series premiere) and others like “White Bear,” “Fifteen Million Merits,” “Playtest,” and “White Christmas” will leave a lasting impression on your mind even after the viewing experience has ended.

One notable feature of “Black Mirror” is its impressive roster of actors. Many well-known stars made their debut in the series early on, such as Daniel Kaluuya, Jodie Whittaker, and Letitia Wright. Later seasons showcased talents like Jon Hamm, Miley Cyrus, Will Poulter, Salma Hayek, Michael Cera, Aaron Paul, Kate Mara, and others. The upcoming Season 7 boosts the stardom with Issa Rae, Paul Giamatti, Rashida Jones, Tracee Ellis Ross, Awkwafina, and introduces its first sequel episode, “USS Callister: Into Infinity.

For the initial time, Cristin Milioti, Jimmi Simpson, Billy Magnussen, along with the cast of USS Callister make a comeback in Season 7. This is following their memorable appearance in Season 4’s standout episode, where a video game populates its characters using sentient clones of its developers, all of whom are programmers. In an unusual move for “Black Mirror”, the Season 6 episode “Demon 79” departed from the traditional sci-fi theme and instead explored supernatural elements as a demon commanded a woman to murder three individuals to prevent the apocalypse. This marked the debut of what’s being called a “Red Mirror” episode, which was co-written by creators Charlie Brooker and Bisha K. Ali, who also collaborated on “USS Callister: Into Infinity” and “Common People” in Season 7.

With social media, AI, and technology continuing to shape our lives significantly, the thought-provoking show “Black Mirror” feels increasingly pertinent. To mark the arrival of Season 7, we’re counting down the 15 most impactful episodes in the series, all ranked for your viewing pleasure.

Honorable mentions: “Loch Henry,” “Be Right Back,” “Joan Is Awful” and “Black Museum.”

Bête Noire (Season 7)

In its earlier days, “Black Mirror” was known for its sharp, ironic commentary, but Season 7’s episode “Bête Noire” demonstrates that it can still be just as biting. The characters of Maria (Siena Kelly) and Verity (Rosy McEwen) remind us of this show’s ability to be cruel. Maria recalls Verity as an outcast from their school days, but now, Verity is thriving with a prestigious job at Maria’s confectionery company. Maria hasn’t evolved much, and while we empathize with her struggles as Verity’s meteoric rise challenges her, it’s clear that Maria has a tendency to bully others. The power dynamic between them shifts back and forth, and ultimately culminates in an exceptionally powerful episode conclusion.

Shut Up and Dance (Season 3)

This TV show “Black Mirror” often explores the constant surveillance we experience, and this particular episode powerfully implies a hidden world where people are controlled by their observers. The main character, Kenny (played by Alex Lawther), discovers his computer is hacked, and the hackers threaten to reveal his private information unless he submits to them. Kenny develops a bond with another victim, Hector (Jerome Flynn), based on mutual urgency, making this episode a thrilling, fast-paced installment that stands out in memory.

Beyond the Sea (Season 6)

The outstanding episode from Season 6, titled “Beyond the Sea”, benefits significantly from two exceptional, poignant performances by Aaron Paul and Josh Hartnett. The narrative unfolds between an isolated spaceship, where two astronauts struggle with disharmony during a mission, and a quaint town, where they can transmit their consciousness into identical replicas to connect with their loved ones on Earth. After David’s (Hartnett) physical body is destroyed and his family perishes, he utilizes Cliff’s (Paul) duplicate to return to Earth, developing an uneasy bond with Cliff’s wife Lana (Kate Mara). Aaron Paul delivers two understated yet impactful performances as Cliff and David share a single body: Cliff becomes detached and indifferent towards his spouse, while David’s grief over the loss of his family evolves into an obsession with Cliff and Lana’s life. The climax is heart-wrenching, made effective only by Paul and Hartnett’s powerful chemistry.

Playtest (Season 3)

In “Playtest,” the shocking revelation at the end, where everything turns out to be a dream, is like the delightful surprise cherries on an intriguingly unsettling “Black Mirror” dessert. Wyatt Russell portrays Cooper, who agrees to test a sophisticated virtual-reality horror game, only to encounter far more distress than he anticipated. The game exploits Cooper’s deepest anxieties, including his fear of inheriting his deceased father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and provides enough spine-tingling jump scares directed by Dan Trachtenberg to keep you guessing about what’s genuine until the very last moments.

Bandersnatch (Interactive Special)

The title “Bandersnatch” stands out not just within the “Black Mirror” series, but as Netflix’s inaugural interactive film designed for mature audiences. This innovative production allowed viewers to influence the narrative by making crucial decisions, a novel concept that significantly altered the course of the story – a breakthrough that remains impressive even today. The protagonist, a video game programmer named Stefan (portrayed by Fionn Whitehead), is engrossed in creating a choose-your-own-adventure game while grappling with his past traumas. By the end, there are five distinct conclusions, some gruesome and others self-referential, and over one trillion potential paths to navigate.

Nosedive (Season 3)

In a not-too-distant future, many people have integrated social media into their eyes, rating each other like Yelp reviews. I find myself as a viewer in this pastel meditation, witnessing how societal norms are shaped by these artificial rankings. As Lacie, a friendly individual with a slightly above-average social media score, I experience the inconvenience of slipping ranks and being unable to access certain doors. However, this minor annoyance escalates into something far more alarming, posing a threat not just to me but to others around me. Furthermore, as my anger grows over my situation, those I interact with lower my rank even further, plunging me deeper into social media exile. The first season premiere of “Nosedive” boasts big-name Hollywood talent on Netflix. This episode was written by Michael Schur (“The Good Place”) and Rashida Jones (“The Office”), with Joe Wright (“Pride & Prejudice”) at the helm as director. Despite its sugary sweet aesthetic, shot in soft light and bathed in Millennial pink, this world maintains a cheerful facade while subtly stripping citizens of their autonomy.

Eulogy (Season 7)

In Season 7, the episode titled “Eulogy” offers a powerful emotional punch by presenting technology in a mostly positive light, which is quite uncommon for Black Mirror. Paul Giamatti plays a man tasked with recalling fond memories of a woman from his past for a memorial tribute at her funeral. Despite trying to erase her entirely from his life, an overachieving AI assistant assists him in reconstructing his youth and understanding his connection to her by revisiting vintage media such as cassette tapes and Polaroids. Giamatti delivers a moving performance as a lonely individual grappling with nostalgia, and the story concludes on a chilling note, maintaining its signature bittersweet tone that fits seamlessly within the Black Mirror universe.

White Bear (Season 2)

White Bear” – A Masterpiece of Suspense Plunging Viewers into a Real-Life Nightmare

In this gripping production, we follow Lenora Crichlow’s character who awakens disoriented, uncertain of her name or location. The situation swiftly deteriorates as she’s pursued by a masked assassin firing at her, while crowds gather with cameras to capture the spectacle. This visually stunning episode carries an uncanny resemblance to a zombie movie and soon escalates into full-blown chaos.

Clues are subtly dropped throughout the storyline, shedding light on our protagonist’s true identity. The climactic twist exposes one of the series’ most pessimistic perspectives, offering a gloomy exploration of crime and retribution that scrutinizes humanity at its darkest.

The chilling finale – a group of men meticulously cleaning a house while Crichlow’s frantic screams echo in the background – serves as a chilling reminder that “Black Mirror” can seamlessly transition into pure terror.

USS Callister (Season 4)

As a movie enthusiast, I’d describe “USS Callister” as Black Mirror’s most enticing foray into genre-blending sci-fi adventures, offering a witty send-up of Star Trek with a signature, dark twist that the series is renowned for. Jesse Plemons delivers an exceptional performance as Captain Robert Daly, a seemingly heroic and dashing space captain with an unsavory secret hidden beneath his charming façade. In reality, Robert is a disgruntled employee at a video game company who manipulates digital replicas of his colleagues to humiliate them and pursue a new programmer, Nanette (played by Cristin Milioti). This episode, unlike many others in Black Mirror, takes a more vibrant and entertaining turn, concluding with the villain receiving the justice he deserves.

Fifteen Million Merits (Season 1)

Black Mirror” is known for its thought-provoking social criticism, yet it also showcases beautiful love stories amidst the chaos – like in Season 1’s “Fifteen Million Merits”. Daniel Kaluuya, before his fame in “Get Out”, played Bing Madsen, a solitary man trapped pedaling a stationary bike to power society. His life finds meaning when he hears Abi Khan (Jessica Brown Findlay) singing quietly to herself. True to form, there’s an unsettling twist: after Abi achieves her dream of impressing the talent show judges, her success comes with a heavy price tag. The portrayal of women in the digital era’s sexualization isn’t veiled, and the heartrending tale of Bing and Abi being manipulated and controlled for 62 minutes keeps this early episode poignant and timely even over a decade later.

White Christmas (TV Special)

In this “Black Mirror” episode, which was among the first to feature a prominent star as its lead, Jon Hamm – at the height of his “Mad Men” popularity – skillfully portrayed Matt, a once-smooth talker turned convict and pariah. The extended Christmas-themed installment is divided into several substantial, interconnected scenes that could each be developed into compelling standalone tales. There are numerous unexpected plot twists to appreciate, such as the revelation of why Matt’s protege in pickup artistry is trapped in a cabin during Christmas and the rapid passage of time within this setting.

National Anthem (Season 1)

The Netflix series ‘Black Mirror’ begins powerfully, as its debut episode presents a concept so disturbing that it might make someone hesitate before diving in. Unlike other episodes exploring the misuse of advanced technology, ‘The National Anthem’ revolves around an unexpected premise: What if the Prime Minister (portrayed by Rory Kinnear) was compelled to perform a live, public sexual act with a pig on television? This installment veers away from traditional sci-fi themes and instead delivers a gripping, suspenseful narrative that explores the profound and unsettling societal repercussions of this act. Whether you find it intriguing or distasteful due to its unique departure from the usual ‘Black Mirror’ style, one thing is certain: the episode will leave an indelible impression on you.

The Entire History of You (Season 1)

In “Succession” creator Jesse Armstrong penned an episode of “Black Mirror,” usually crafted by Charlie Brooker. This particular installment stands out as one of the most heart-wrenching in the series. An innovation called a “grain” implant allows individuals to record all their memories, leading to tragic consequences for the envious couple Liam and Ffion (portrayed by Toby Kebbell and Jodie Whitaker). Following an uncomfortable gathering where Ffion seems overly familiar with her ex, Liam becomes suspicious and insists on examining her grain records in search of proof of infidelity. When Liam uncovers the truth, it delivers a powerful emotional blow to this heartfelt tale of their relationship.

Hang the DJ (Season 4)

As a movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: In the world of Black Mirror, where love is predicted by an intricate dating system, one episode leaves you with a contented breath. This story follows Frank (Joe Cole) and Amy (Georgina Campbell), two individuals who, despite being destined for a fleeting romance according to their algorithmic first date, find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other. The system, however, is adamant that they’re not meant for the long haul, pushing them into series of unfulfilling relationships while they yearn for one another and struggle to accept the system’s authority. In a bold move, they decide to defy the system, venturing beyond their controlled world, only to discover that their entire interaction was taking place within an app designed to determine their compatibility in reality. And here’s a spoiler: They are compatible, and it’s heartwarming to see them together!

San Junipero (Season 4)

Among the “Black Mirror” episodes, only “San Junipero,” aside from “Hang the DJ,” offers a joyful conclusion, and by the end, you might find yourself shedding tears. In a nightclub reminiscent of the 1980s, characters Yorkie (played by Mackenzie Davis) and Kelly (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) encounter each other and share an immediate connection. However, as they grow closer, it’s unveiled that they are within a simulated environment for elderly individuals and the deceased. In truth, Yorkie and Kelly are older women who are living out their fantasies of being young and free to express themselves authentically. The question remains: Will they pass naturally or live together eternally in San Junipero? This poignant production from “Black Mirror” delves into the topics of death, the afterlife, and love, presenting perspectives on these themes that have yet to be explored by any other television show.

2025-04-11 23:24

Ranked to Ruin: The 15 Most Mind-Blowing ‘Black Mirror’ Episodes