Black Mirror Episodes Ranked - Season 7

“Black Mirror” is an anthology series exploring a twisted, high-tec multiverse where humanity’s greatest innovations and darkest instincts collide. The show is known for the twists and how technology can sometimes be pretty scary. Season 7 was just released on Netflix and I’m ranking all six episodes. And this was a really strong season.

6. Hotel Reverie
Director: Haolu Wang
Starring: Issa Rae, Emma Corrin, Akwafina, Harriet Walter, Elliot Barnes-Worrell, Enzo Cilento
Description: A high-tech, unusually immersive remake of a vintage British film sends Hollywood A-list star Brandy Friday (Issa Rae) into another dimension, where she must stick to the script if she ever wants to make it home.
Review: Using modern-day technology to recreate an old classic movie, and an actress looking for her next big film. And of course things go completely wrong. It’s a very creative idea, however the episode is way too long and did not manage to keep my attention the entire time. Still a good episode, but my least favorite of the season.
 

5. Plaything
Director: David Slade
Starring: Peter Capaldi, Will Poulter, Lewis Gribben, James Nelson-Joyce, Michelle Austin
Description: In a near-future London, an eccentric murder suspect (Peter Capaldi) is linked to an unusual video game from the 1990s – a game populated by cute, evolving artificial lifeforms.
Review: During an interrogation, a man arrested for shoplifting, tells his story. This is a sequel to the film “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” and again revolves around a video game. “Plaything” is a very cynical take on technology and has plenty to say about human nature. This feels more like an old-fashioned “Black Mirror” episode. Where “Hotel Reverie” felt too long, “Plaything” could use a few extra minutes. But I did love the ending though.
 

4. Běte Noire
Director: Toby Haynes
Starring: Siena Kelly, Rosy McEwen, Michael Workeye, Hannah Griffiths, Ben Asheden, Amber Grappy,
Description: Confectionary whizz kid Maria (Siena Kelly) is unnerved when her former schoolmate Verity (Rosy McEwen) joins the company she works at – because there’s something altogether odd about Verity, something only Maria seems to notice.
Review: This episode has a great build-up, where we see how Maria is going from the strongest asset in her company hitting rock bottom. We feel what she feels, because we know she is telling the truth. But strange things seem to be happening and there is no explanation for these events. She, and also the audience, suspect that Verity has something to do with it. Because it all started when she joined the company. The plot twists are well put together, but the ending is way too abrupt.
 

3. Eulogy
Director: Christoper Barrett, Luke Taylor
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Patsy Ferran
Description: An isolated man (Paul Giamatti) is introduced to a groundbreaking system that allow its users to literally step inside old photographs – stirring powerful emotions in the process.
Review: Philip gets a call from a company called Eulogy, who collects memories for funerals. With the help of a virtual guide, he thinks back to a woman who was once very important to him. “Eulogy” is masterful. The idea is very original and the plot is not far-fetched. The surprised in the story are believable. This is also an episode that is mostly about the acting. And Paul Giamatti is amazing, as a man is is confronted by his past.
 

2. USS Callister: Into Infinity
Director: Toby Haynes
Starring: Cristin Milioti, Jimmi Simpson, Billy Magnussen, Osy Ikhile, Milanka Brooks, Jesse Plemons, Paul G. Raymond
Description: Robert Daly (Jesse Plemons) is dead, but now the crew of the USS Callister – led by Captain Nanette Cole (Cristin Milioti) – are stranded in an infinite virtual universe, fighting for survival  against 30 million players.
Review: Season 7 had another sequel. “USS Callister” is still one of the most popular episodes of “Black Mirror” and a fan favorite. And this sequel, “USS Callister: Into Infinity”, continues where the original story ended. A deragned programmer had stuffed clones of his colleagues into a computer game and these clones must now survive in a giant online game. “USS Callister: Into Infinity” should only be seen if you liked the first part and want to know how the story ends. I loved this episode, and it still had some cool twists and turns. Not as good as the original episode, which is also an all-time favorite of mine, but a worthy sequel.
 

1. Common People
Director: Ally Pankiw
Starring: Chris O’Dowd, Rashida Jones, Tracee Ellis Ross
Description: When a medical emergency leaves schoolteacher Amanda (Rashida Jones) fighting for her life, her desperate husband Mike (Chris O’Dowd) signs her up for Rivermind, a high-tech system that will keep her alive.
Review: Without a doubt the best episode of season 7. When Mike decides to save Amanda’s life by signing up with Rivermind, because it was literally the only option to keep her alive, the couple become dependent on the healthcare system. “Common People” is a sharp satire on the American health care system in which making money is more important than someone’s actual health. The first episode of the season and  nothing beat it. It’s also one of the best “Black Mirror” episodes ever.
 
What did you think of season 7 and which episode was the stand-out for you?

Top 5 : "Black Mirror" Episodes Season 6

“Black Mirror” is back after a long absence. The sixth season seems to be deliberately breaking away from what the series is supposed to be. Maker Charlie Brooker takes Netflix to task on several occasions. Instead of writing a full review for the season, I will rank the five episodes worst to best, with mini reviews for each episode.
 

5. Mazey Day
Director: Uta Briesewitz
Starring: Zazie Beetz, Danny Ramirez, Clara Rugaard, Robbie Tann, David Rysdahl
This episode charges against unscrupulous, old-fashioned paparazzi terrorizing stars. Rather a look back to the past than an extrapolation of the present, where everyone uses their smartphone to take photos. This episode is set in the 2000s. Bo (Zazie Beetz) is one of these paparazzi photographers, struggling with her conscience when a celebrity caught on camera commits suicide. At the same time, movie star Mazey Day is involved in a hit an run and doesn’t seem to be able to forget about it. Bo sees on the news Mazey hasn’t been seen in a while, making it her mission to find her. And she ends up finding something unexpected. I believe this was the shortest episode and they have more to tell than can fit in 40 minutes. This way, the story feels rushed and unfinished. I did like the unexpected turn the story took, but this episode really suffered from the runtime.
 

4. Joan is Awful
Director: Ally Pankiw
Starring: Annie Murphy, Salma Hayek, Michael Cera, Himesh Patel, Avi Nash, Ben Barnes
The dull, cowardly routine life of Joan, a mid-level tech executive, is thrown into disarray when a streaming service airs a popular show about her life: Joan is Awful. Salma Hayek plays her and re-enacts her daily life. Real-life Joan becomes an outcast and everything goes downhill. This is a very meta and self-mocking mindfuck. It’s funny and crazy and very entertaining. Although poop-jokes are never funny. Only downside.
 

3. Loch Henry
Director: Sam Miller
Starring: Samuel Blenkin, Myha’la Herrold, Daniel Portman, John Hannah, Monica Dolan
Filmmaker Davis (Samuel Blekin) visits his mother in his hometown near Schotland’s Loch henry: he wants to shoot a documentary about an environmentalist. Tourists in his hometown dropped stopped visiting after serial killer Ian Adair kidnapped and tortured people to the death in his basement. Davis’ father Kenny, the local policeman, was injured trying to arrest Adair and later died. Together with his girlfriend Pia, he decides to make this crime story their topic for the documentary. A story with deeper layers and secrets revealed as you go along. It has a slow start, but eventually has some great WTF-moments. Probably the darkest and most disturbing episode of this season.
 

2. Demon 79
Director: Toby Haynes
Starring: Anjana Vasan, Paapa Essiedu, Katherine Rose Morely, David Shields
In this thrilling, at times hilarious episode, a lonely Indian shoe saleswoman (Anjana Vasan) brooding internally over her racist co-worker Vicky (Katherine Rose Morely) cuts her finger on an amulet with runic characters, summoning demon in-training Gaap (Paapa Essiedu). He takes the guise of her idol, Boney M singer Bobbby Farrell, and explains to her that she must kill someone each day for the next three days to prevent an apocalypse. Dark comedy with a bittersweet twist. And I loved Vasan in her role, she was so good.
 

1. Beyond the Sea
Director: John Crowley
Starring: Aaron Paul, Josh Hartnett, Kate Mara, Auden Thornton, Rory Culkin
This was a stand-out for me, what a fantastic episode. Astronauts Cliff (Aaron Paul) and David (Josh Hartnett) are on a years-long space mission in an alternate 1969. To combat loneliness and cabin fever, the duo uploads their consciousness to a replica: an android copy living on Earth with their family. Until David’s family is murdered before his eyes and his replica is set on fire by a Charles Manson-like cult that wants to restore the natural order. Concerned about David’s possible suicidal depression, Cliff occasionally grants him use of his replica. This leads to psychological complications. Josh Hartnett and especially Aaron Paul are very strong on their roles. I was invested in this story from start to finish and the ending went in a different direction then I expected it would go.  
 

 

All "Black Mirror" Episodes Ranked

“Black Mirror” is an anthology series exploring a twisted, high-tec multiverse where humanity’s greatest innovations and darkest instincts collide. The show is known for the twists and how technology can sometimes be pretty scary. I ranked all the episodes and also included the special and film that were made. And it’s pretty clear which season I liked the least (but none of the episodes are bad).

23. Smithereens (Episode 2, Season 5) Director: James Hawes
Starring: Andrew Scott, Topher Grace, Damson Idris, Monica Dolan
Description: A cab driver (Andrew Scott) with an agenda becomes the center of attention on a day that rapidly spirals out of control.
Review: “Smithereens” is not a hit, it starts slowly and is all in all quite predictable and not at all surprising. It does have some masterful acting by Andrew Scott. This episode mainly seems to be an awareness-raising campaign in many ways, but it actually goes much further than that. It’s about how we are all attached to smartphones and therefore losing contact with reality. But at the same time it’s also about how the enormous flow of information we process daily via that same smartphone has made us immune to serious facts.

22. Striking Vipers (Episode 1, Season 5)
Director: Owen Harris
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Nicole Beharie, Pom Klementieff, Ludi Linn
Description: Two estranged college friends (Anthony Mackie, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) reunite in later life, triggering a series of events that could alter their lives forever.
Review: “Striking Vipers” uses the same technology as “Playtest” and “USS Callister”. Once again we see a hyper-realistic game, but then explored in a very different way that raises a lot of questions. About gender, loyalty, orientation and so on. It gives you and insight into the future of gaming, but it’s also about confusion around sexual orientation.

21. Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too (Episode 3, Season 5)
Director: Anne Sewitsky
Starring: Miley Cyrus, Angourie Rice, Madison Davenport, Susan Pourfar
Description: A lonely teenager (Angourie Rice) yearns to connect with her favorite pop star Ashley O (Miley Cyrus), whose charming existence isn’t quite as rosy as it appears.
Review: “Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too” tells a story about stardom. Where it goes deeper into both the existence as a pop star and that of fans. We demand more and more from our idols and as fans we want to get closer and closer to our favorite stars. But that has serious consequences. Stars are expected to be cheerful all the time and never have a bad day. Of course, reality is often very different from the pictures we see as fans. We only know a small world of our idols, so we often forget that they too are people of flesh and blood. This episode makes a pop star more human by dehumanizing them like a robot.

20. Crocodile (Episode 3, Season 4)
Director: John Hillcoat
Starring: Andrea Riseborough, Kiran Sonia Sawar, Andrew Gower, Anthony Welsh
Description: Shazia (Kiran Sonia Sawar) interviews various people using a device that allows her to access their memories.
Review: “Crocodile” is one of the darkest episodes of “Black Mirror”. Mia’s desperation to keep her secret takes on enormous proportions, but somewhere you can recognize yourself in it, without of course the extreme form it takes on. A very dark tale about how a mistake in your past can dominate your whole life, no matter how hard you’re trying to forget about it.

19. Black Museum (Episode 6, Season 4)
Director: Colm McCarthy
Starring: Letitia Wright, Douglas Hodge, Daniel Lapaine, Aldis Hodge, Alexandra Roach
Description: Nish (Letitia Wright) enters the Black Museum, where the proprietor (Douglas Hodge) tells his stories relating to the artifacts.
Review: “Black Museum” is actually three episodes in one, but with the runtime of one episode. As a result, the stories may be a little less elaborate, but the end creates a mindfuck of size. The episode shows how new technology can be used to torture people at a level that for the time being, fortunately, is not possible. But it shows how technology, when it ends up in bad hands, can lead to horrific acts.

18. The Waldo Moment (Episode 3, Season 2)
Director: Bryn Higgins
Starring: Daniel Rigby, Chloe Pirrie, Jason Flemyng, Tobias Menzies, Christina Chong, James Lance
Description: A failed comedian (Daniel Rigby) who voices a popular cartoon bear named Waldo finds himself mixing in politics when TV executives want Waldo to run for office.
Review: “The Waldo Moment” is a story that, at first sight, seems totally crazy. But when you think about it a little longer, you realize that it is closer to reality than you might think. It is phenomenal critique of current politics. And yes, I’m mainly looking at the US. When everyone laughed off Donald Trump’s presidential candidacy, he eventually managed to end up in the White House. And so he had his own Waldo moment. The story was written before Trump became president, so it’s not a literal attack on Trump, but a prediction of how politis would evolve.

17. Men Against Fire (Episode 5, Season 3)
Director: Jakob Verbruggen
Starring: Malachi Kirby, Madeline Brewer, Ariane Labed, Sarah Snook, Michael Kelly
Description: Future soldiers Stripe (Malachi Kirby) and Raiman (Madaline Brewer) must protect frightened villagers from an infestation of vicious feral mutants.
Review: Where “Black Mirror” usually gives a glimpse of the future, here they actually take a look at the past. Because there are many parallels between “Men Against Fire” and the events of World War II. It’s a very intense episode and the actual outcome is a bit disturbing. The story shows the future of warfare, but at the same time is inspired by events from the past.

16. Arkangel (Episode 2, Season 4)
Director: Jodie Foster
Starring: Rosemarie DeWitt, Brenna Harding, Owen Teague, Nicholas Campbell
Description: After nearly losing her daughter Sara, Marie (Rosemarie DeWitt) incests in a new technology that allows her to keep track of her.
Review: “Arkangel” is another episode in which new technology in itself is positive. The chip is a good tool for mother Marie, but it gives her the opportunity to continuously monitor her daughter. And a curious and over-protective mother can quickly abuse this power. At first, you really sympathize with Marie, but your view on her will change from time to time.

15. Playtest (Episode 2, Season 3)
Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Starring: Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, Wunmi Mosaku, Ken Yamamura, Elizabeth Moynihan
Description: Cooper (Wyatt Russell) is traveling around the world. When he is trying to buy a ticket home, he is unable to get money from his account. Short on cash, Cooper signs up to test a revolutionary new gaming system. But soon cant tell where the hot game ends and reality begins.
Review: “Playtest” is an episode that clearly responds to the new technologies used in games. In the episode virtual reality is pushed to the limit. What Cooper sees is a reality created from his own deepest fears. It’s an episode that gives you a scare here and there, through the horror images. But it’s the storyline around Cooper and his mother that won’t let you go.

14. Fifteen Million Merits (Episode 2, Season 2)
Director: Euros Lyn
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Jessica Brown Findlay, Rupert Everett, Julia Davis, Ashley Thomas
Description: In a world where people’s lives consist of riding exercise bikes to gain credits, Bing (Daniel Kaluuya) tries to help a woman get on to a singing competition show.
Review: “15 Million Merits” is a metaphor for life, but a very negative one. Working your whole life to make money and make your dreams come true. But those dreams sometimes turn out very differently. Furthermore, this episode also shows how people actually do everything for money, even if this is diametrically opposed to your own principles. At the same time, it also criticized the popularity of talent shows and reality TV and how these genres can be exploited by candidates.

13. San Junipero (Episode 4, Season 3)
Director: Owen Harris
Starring: Mackenzie Davis, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Denise Burse, Annabel Davis, Raymond McAnally
Description: When Yorkie (Mackenzie Davis) and Kelly (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) visit San Junipero, a fun-loving beach town full of surf, sun and sex, their lives are changed.
Review: “San Junipero” is a story that shows how technology can ultimately be positive and contribute to eternal love. It turns death into something beautiful and tells a story that will not leave you untouched.

12. Metalhead (Episode 5, Season 4)
Director: David Slade
Starring: Maxine Peake, Jake Davies, Clint Dyer
Description: In the post-apocalyptic landscape of the Scottish Moors, a woman (Maxine Peaks) attempts to survive tha land full of ‘dogs’.
Review: This episode shows the dangers of artificial intelligence. When robots, in this case in the form of dogs, have evolved so far, they can really be able to conquer the world and be a real danger to humans. “Metalhead” is a real thriller and the most straight-forward episode of “Black Mirror”. It’s completely filmed in black and white and it’s threatening and bloodcurdlingly exciting.

11. Hated in the Nation (Episode 6, Season 3)
Director: James Hawes
Starring: Kelly Macdonald, Faye Marsay, Benedict Wong, Jonas Karlsson, Joe Armstrong
Description: In near-future London, police detective Karin Parke (Kelly Macdonald) and her tech-savvy sidekick Blue (Faye Marsay) investigate a string of mysterious deaths with a sinister link to social media.
Review: “Hated in the Nation” is perhaps the clearest social criticism of the whole series. It shows the impact of social media, but in a very direct way (it reminded me a bit of the crime thriller “Untraceable”, with Diane Lane). Comments with the #DeathTo, which are actually sent out, have the effect that those people actually die. The episode thus maps out the hardness of reactions on social media. The way in which we can insult people and wish them to die on social media, without realizing the consequences.

10. Bandersnatch (Standalone interactive film)
Director: David Slade
Starring: Fionn Whitehead, Craig Parkinson, Alice Lowe, Will Poulter
Description: Young programmer Stefan (Fion Whitehead) starts to question reality when he adapts a mad writer’s fantasy novel into a video game.
Review: “Bandersnatch” is not an episode, it’s a standalone film. And the first interactive film. It’s an innovative episode because of its format. The story is, depending on the path you choose, better or worse, but in general it’s a surprising and interesting way to experience television. It has several different endings.

9. The National Anthem (Episode 1, Season 1)
Director: Otto Bathurst
Starring: Rory Kinnear, Lindsay Duncan, Anna Wilson-Jones, Donald Sumpter, Tom Goodman-Hill, Patrick Kennedy
Description: Prime Minister Michael Callow (Rory Kinnear) faces a shocking dilemma when Princess Susannah, a much-loved member of the Royal Family, is kidnapped.
Review: “The National Anthem” is the very first episode of “Black Mirror” and perhaps the most memorable to date. The episode is outright social criticism that makes you think about your own behavior. This episode does not use modern technology, it does not take place in a post-apocalyptic or dystopian future. No, this story could actually happen tomorrow. And that’s why the impact of this episode is so overwhelming. The awareness that this can happen and that the reaction of the audience would probably be exactly the same as in the episode, makes it an uncomfortable experience.

8. Shut Up and Dance (Episode 3, Season 3)
Director: James Watkins
Starring: Alex Lawther, Jerome Flynn, Susannah Doyle, Frankie Wilson, Jimmy Roye-Dunne, Hannah Steele
Description: When introvert Kenny (Alex Lawther) stumbles into an online trap, he is quickly forced into an uneasy alliance with Hector (Jerome Flynn), both at the mercy of persons unknown.
Review: “Shut Up and Dance” is another episode that isn’t about technological gadgets or a strange looking future. It is a story that can take place now and that makes it very realistic. Alex Lawther, who plays Kenny, gives away a strong performance. His role is pretty difficult and you sympathize with him, but at the same time realize that he has a huge secret. And it’s even worse than you might think.

7. White Christmas (Episode 4, Season 2, Christmas Special)
Director: Carl Tibbetts
Starring: Jon Hamm, Rafe Spall, Oona Chaplin, Natalia Tena, Janet Montgomery, Rasmus Hardiker
Description: Three interconnected tales of technology run amok during the Christmas season are told by two men at a remote outpost in a frozen wilderness.
Review: “White Christmas” is “Black Mirror” at its best. Technological advances that can ultimately be used against humans or that endanger people’s lives. In “White Christmas” there are also aspects that are already possible, which brings the whole thing awfully close to reality. Thus we see a smart home system, which seems very convenient, but is actually degrading.

6. White Bear (Episode 2, Season 2)
Director: Carl Tibbets
Starring: Lenora Crichlow, Michael Smiley, Tuppence Middleton, Ian Bonar, Elisabeth Hopper
Description: Victoria (Lenora Crichlow) wakes up and cannot remember anything about her life. Everyone she encounters refuses to communicate with her, and they all seem to know something she doesn’t.
Review: “White Bear’ is one of those episodes that drags you along and gets you invested in the story. And you can’t help but feel for the main character. But when you finally find out exactly why this is happening to her, your whole image of the situation changes. And that is very well done. The episode denounces the sensational society we live in now. How we enjoy someone else’s suffering. How the news is presented more and more spectacularly. But at the same time it shows that ‘an eye for an eye’ is not necessarily the best solution. Because is this where we want to go? Is this the society we want to be in?

5. The Entire History of You (Episode 3, Season 1)
Director: Brian Welsh
Starring: Toby Kebbell, Jodie Whittaker, Tom Cullen, Amy Beth Hayes, Rebekah Staton
Description: In the near future, everyone has access to a memory implant that records everything they do, see and hear. You need never forget a face again, but is that always a good thing?
Review: “The Entire History of You” shows how technology can bring out the worst in man. Jealousy is a dirty beast anyway, but if you have the tools in your hands, that jealousy can become much more dangerous. It shows how taking a look at your partner’s phone can quickly turn into an obsession that can cause serious damage not only to your partner, but also to yourself.

4. Hang the DJ (Episode 4, Season 4)
Director: Tim von Patten
Starring: Georgina Campbell, Joe Cole, George Bladge, Gwyneth Keyworth
Description: Paired up by a dating program that puts an expiration date on all relationships, Frank (Joe Cole) and Amy (Georgine Campbell) soon begin to question the system’s logic.
Review: You could see “Hang the DJ” as a critique of dating apps and superficial relationships, but in the end you find out that that’s not so. It’s one of the lighter episodes of “Black Mirror”, but it still has a painful side. It’s a story about true love and how it can overcome everything. Even before it really started. It’s on of the few episodes that will leave you with a happy feeling.

3. Be Right Back (Episode 1, Season 2)
Director: Owen Harris
Starring: Hayley Atwell, Domhnall Gleeson
Description: After learning about a new service that lets people stay in touch with the deceased, a lonely, grieving Martha (Hayley Atwell) reconnects with her late lover (Domhnall Gleeson).
Review: “Be Right Back” is actually a beautiful love story of a woman who has a hard time coping with the death of her boyfriend. It is a heartbreaking story, which is both beautiful and strange. Above all, the episode shows that no matter how far technology evolves, there is nothing to be done against death.

2. USS Callister (Episode 1, Season 4)
Director: Toby Haynes
Starring: Jesse Plemons, Cristin Milioti, Jimmi Simpson, Michael Coel, Billu Magnussen, Aaron Paul
Description: Captain Robert Daly (Jesse Plemons) presides over his crew with wisdom and courage. But a ne recruit will soon discover nothing on this spaceship is what it seems.
Review: “Uss Callister” is somewhat of a “Star Trek” ode, but at the same time it shows that the new technologies, such as the possibilities of cloning and the use of artificial intelligence, can be capable of when used by the wrong people. It is an exciting episode somewhere between humor and drama, where really nothing is what it seems. It’s definitely one of the most inventive episode of the entire series.

1. Nosedive (Episode 1, Season 3)
Director: Joe Wright
Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard, Alice Eve, James Norton
Description: Lacie (Bryce Dallas Howard) is desperate to boos her social media score. She hits the jackpot when she’s invited to a fancy wedding, but the trip doesn’t go as planned.
Review: The special thing about “Nosedive” is that this episode ultimately predicted the future like no other. No matter how unrealistic and completely unthinkable the points system in the episode may be, it will become reality. The episode criticizes our obsession with likes and the impact on social media on the way we live our lives. How we adapt our posts on social media to what others would like and especially what would generate the most likes.