Sometimes when we think about dystopia, we imagine a world in chaos with aliens and destruction. It feels inconceivable and far removed from our reality. However, great dystopian stories have always been those that eerily reflect our present realities. Rod Serling’s “The Twilight Zone” set the gold standard for this, and creator Charlie Brooker’s “Black Mirror” has successfully followed in its footsteps.
Unlike other futuristic shows, “Black Mirror” doesn’t focus on projecting the future. Instead, it presents a horrifying mirror of our current state. Take, for example, the episode “Black Museum,” where a museum attraction displays black torture. Or the episode “San Junipero,” which explores forbidden love in a simulated afterlife. These storylines are born from fears and concerns that exist in our society today, such as obsession with fame and racial trauma.
“Black Mirror” has always been a show that reflects who we are. It shows us the darker side of our world, the things we have normalized. In an interview leading up to the sixth season, Brooker confessed that he doesn’t draw inspiration exclusively from reality. Instead, he envisions ideas that he hopes don’t become a reality. But perhaps, in our fast-paced world, what he imagines as future possibilities are already happening right in front of us.
The latest episodes of “Black Mirror,” released after a long four-year hiatus, are as urgent as ever. They tackle pressing issues like artificial intelligence, media exploitation, and our obsession with true crime. Four of the five new episodes, all written by Brooker, are over an hour long. However, the three shorter episodes demonstrate why the series is so powerful.
The season opener, “Joan Is Awful,” directed by Ally Pankiw, presents a fast-paced story where AI becomes the central antagonist. Annie Murphy shines in the title role as a businesswoman who does unsavory things. When Joan finds an AI version of herself on a streaming service, her life takes a dark turn. The episode not only critiques the perils of AI but also explores the power an audience has to destroy someone’s life based on a manufactured image on a screen.
The second episode, “Loch Henry,” delves into the exploitation of murder in true crime documentaries. Myha’la Herrold plays Pia, a filmmaker drawn into a story of murder in the Scottish highlands. As their documentary gains popularity, Pia and her boyfriend, Davis, face the consequences of exploiting a real tragedy. The episode raises questions about the cost of our fascination with true crime.
“Mazey Day,” another thought-provoking episode, examines our involvement in the mistreatment of celebrities. Clara Rugaard portrays the popular Mazey, who yearns to escape the paparazzi’s constant surveillance. Zazie Beetz plays a desperate photographer who needs money. The episode highlights the parasocial relationships between fans and celebrities, showing the demand for constant access to their lives. The conclusion of this episode leaves a chilling impact.
While the other two episodes, “Beyond the Sea” and “Demon 79,” have promising concepts, they fall short. They are unnecessarily lengthy and fail to engage the audience effectively.
Overall, the latest season of “Black Mirror” continues to reflect our societal concerns. It reminds us of our complicity in exploiting others, our obsession with fame, and our unchecked appetite for true crime. This thought-provoking series holds up a mirror to our own troubles, making us question the world we live in.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
