Black Mirror: Bandersnatch

"In 1984, a young programmer begins to question reality as he adapts a dark fantasy novel into a video game. A mind-bending tale with multiple endings.: -Netflix

Title: BANDERSNATCH (BLACK MIRROR)

Year: 2018 Directed By: David Slade Written By: Charlie Brooker Duration: Unknown Genre: Thiller, Mystery, Drama Starring: Fionn Whitehead, Will Poulter, Asim Chaudhry, Craig Parkinson, Alice Lowe Language: English Score: 9.5/10

I heard the news about Black Mirror's new episode just a week or two before it's released. All people know is that the title is 'Bandersnatch'. That's all. I didn't think about expecting anything. All I thought was that it's going to be great. This is Black Mirror, after all. They never fail to amaze. But I didn't think it would be something this awesome! And I mean, crazy awesome! There's no way I'm not making a review about this after I watch it. It's too brilliant!

INFO FOR BEGINNERS

BLACK MIRROR

So Bandersnatch is the newest episode of Black Mirror. If you don't know yet, Black Mirror is a science fiction series whose theme is always about technology and its unanticipated side effects. Most of the times, it's set in the future. Each episode is a standalone so it doesn't really matter where you're starting from. Start where ever you want to, and surely you'll see why this show is so successful. 

WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT?

1. THE WHOLE CONCEPT 

All right, we've talked about the background, now let's get into the real deal: the unique and new concept. So unlike any episodes ever, Bandersnatch lets you make decisions for the main character. Once in a while, you'll be given two options for the character to do. What you choose will be done by the main character. What ever you choose will affect the story and the ending. So it's like playing an adventure game, but in the form of a movie. You even get to 'restart' if you've reached the very end, not 'replay'. 

2. SECOND CHANCES

So, just like a game, every time your character dies or in this case, reached a 'dead end', you can always go back and make different choices to keep the game going. But unlike a game, it's controlling someone's life. Well, the characters are fictional of course, we aren't harming anyone. But you do have a different feel. Every time you go back, you want to know more, you want to dig in some more, and you want to see the new possibilities. There's that curiosity of what will happen if you choose the other option. And so that's how the show gets you hooked up to try again and again. I mean, watch again. 

3. THE ENDING(S)

No, no. No spoiler here, no worries. So here's the thing, there are lots of endings, and I mean LOTS. Everything you choose, even the simplest ones, will determine which ending you'll get. I got three endings in one go because some of them let me go back to the middle parts and re-do my choices. And after the third one, it rolls the credits and I wasn't given any choice to go back. Every ending has its own tone and you will always compare the first to the others. What a way to entertain audiences!  

4. THE FUN

It does feel very much like playing a game after you finished the first time. Because on the second time, you just want to know what happens if you choose the other option. And that's the fun in that. It's something completely new in terms of interactive shows. You don't get this kind of fun anywhere else because there's only one ending possibility, already prepared for you. This time, you're in control of what else you want to uncover. 

I've watched this episode 3 times, maybe spending around 3 hours in total, just because I want to discover all the endings! And every time I get a dead end, it just frustrates me because I have to keep on going back. But hey, that's the fun in playing a game, right?

WHAT'S NOT GOOD ABOUT IT?

I am being super honest right now when I say I can't find any at the moment. 

WHAT'S SO-SO ABOUT IT?

1. THE ENDING(S)

First of all, what I'm about to write aren't the things that bother me while watching it. I consider it as a small flaw, which always exists in every movies and series. 

So like I said, you will always compare the endings that you get. Sometimes it's a lot weirder than the other, sometimes it's too sad, sometimes it's not satisfying enough. So whatever ending you get, nothing really satisfy you to the core. And the thought that there will always be other endings you haven't discovered, enhanced that dissatisfaction. 

For me, I think I got one rare ending that is quite satisfying to me. And the other 3-5 endings that I got haven't really topped that. 

But again, I don't think it's bothering. Just a small flaw.

2. THE WHOLE STORY

Well, once I've finished and analyzes what I've watched, I realize the story is quite standard. It's about a struggling programmer with his personal problems (not going to explain any more details to avoid spoilers). But again, here's the positive thing about it. The twists are added based on your choices. So if you happen to choose the choices that lead you to a standard story, well, that's what you get. But no worries, the show always tries to give you the best entertainment. So if you continuously choose the 'standard' choices, it'll lead you to a dead end. Then it'll make you go back to choose the other option to lead you to a more twisted story line. So there's the 50/50. Your choice, your adventure. 

I highly recommend this episode of Black Mirror to everyone. Even if you're not into thriller or mystery, a bit game playing in a new form will definitely bring you the fun. Trust me, this is a new thing that you surely want to try!