Black Mirror, the critically acclaimed anthology series created by Charlie Brooker and producer Annabel Jones, made its highly anticipated return to Netflix with its sixth season. The show, often compared to classic anthology series like The Twilight Zone, offers a dark and thought-provoking exploration of the unintended consequences of technology in our lives. With its distinct blend of darkness, playfulness, and occasional moments of uplift, Black Mirror has earned a dedicated following.
As an anthology series, each episode of Black Mirror presents a new story and tone, making it challenging to rank them definitively. However, WIRED has taken on the task and ranked every episode, from the best to the worst, based on their own evaluations. Here is their comprehensive ranking:
At the bottom of the list is the episode “Smithereens” from Season 5. This episode follows the story of Chris, played by Andrew Scott, who blames social media for a tragic event in his life. Unfortunately, the thin plot fails to create the tension and high stakes that are characteristic of the show.
Following closely is “White Bear” from Season 2, which is a combination of a disturbing zombie thriller and a critique of society’s appetite for public punishment. While it features an unpredictable twist, the episode lacks emotional depth and feels like a slog to get through.
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“Men Against Fire” from Season 4 focuses on the potential misuse of technology in warfare. While it raises interesting ideas, it suffers from a lack of a compelling story to support them, leaving the audience questioning the wider context.
“The Waldo Moment” from Season 2, an episode set during an election, originally seemed to lack firm footing and threw too many ideas into the mix without proper development. However, its relevance following the election of a certain US president has made it appear prophetic in retrospect.
In “Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too” from Season 5, Brooker explores vapid pop music, exploitative managers, and impressionable fans. While it introduces an intriguing concept, it fails to fully grapple with the technology involved, making it feel like a poor imitation of the genre it aims to critique.
“White Christmas,” the 2014 Christmas special, features Mad Men’s Jon Hamm in a starring role. Despite his presence, the episode feels disjointed and lacks a strong central idea, ultimately undermining its potential.
“Bandersnatch,” the interactive film released in 2018, offers an exciting novelty in its choose-your-own-adventure format. However, the storytelling becomes overshadowed by the novelty, making it clear why linear storytelling works best for television.
“Demon 79,” labeled as the first “Red Mirror” episode, leans more towards horror than science fiction. Its unclear genre and mishmash of elements make it challenging to categorize, and it may have been better off without the Black Mirror label.
“Beyond the Sea” delves into the tedium of long-distance space travel and focuses more on human emotions and relationships than the science fiction premise. While it features a suitably unhinged cameo, it drags on and fails to fully captivate its audience.
“Striking Vipers” from Season 5 explores the implications of near-perfect virtual reality sex. While it initially raises intriguing questions about human sexuality, it falls flat in its execution, ultimately locking the concept back into its box.
“Metalhead” from Season 4 taps into society’s fear of robotic advancements with murderous robotic dogs. While it evokes classic horror films and generates genuine scares, the final twist undercuts the episode’s menacing tone.
“Playtest” from Season 3 pays homage to video games, particularly the Resident Evil series. Brooker’s deep knowledge of the subject matter is evident, making it an expertly crafted love letter to the survival horror game genre.
“Mazey Day” from Season 6 takes inspiration from a documentary about Britney Spears and follows a paparazzi photographer in pursuit of a missing celebrity. While not particularly clever, it delivers schlocky fun and surprises that are best experienced without any spoilers.
“Hang the DJ” from Season 4 introduces a tightly controlled dating world governed by algorithms. While it offers an intriguing concept, the ending is somewhat predictable, making it a feel-good episode that lacks the complexity of other Black Mirror installments.
“Fifteen Million Merits” from Season 1, released in 2011, imagines the grim endgame for reality television. While it critiques the cultural phenomenon of shows like The X-Factor, it hasn’t aged well and relies heavily on caricatures.
This ranking offers a comprehensive overview of each episode of Black Mirror, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. However, every episode has its own unique appeal and will resonate differently with individual viewers. Regardless of personal rankings, the show continues to deliver captivating and thought-provoking storytelling that explores the impact of technology on our lives.
