Summary
Black Mirrorfans have until this week to watch one of its specials that will soon be removed from Netflix. The streaming giant is reportedly getting rid of their interactive specials and the last two will be bidding goodbye soon.
Black Mirroris an anthology television series with standalone episodes, exploring the themes of technology, human nature, and society in a dystopian or speculative future.Black Mirrorpremiered on Channel 4 in the U.K. in 2011 before Netflix picked up the show, starting with its third season.Black Mirrorhas two special episodes — “White Christmas” (2014) and “Bandersnatch” (2018). However, one of the two only has a week to stay on the streaming giant.
Netflixis removing the last two interactive specials left on the platform.Unbreakable Kimmy SchmidtandBlack Mirror: Bandersnatchwill only be accessible until June 26, 2025, according to What’s on Netflix. The move is not really surprising since Netflix has been phasing out this type of program. Netflix officially discontinued its interactive specials to focus on mobile and cloud gaming in 2024. According to Chrissy Kelleher, while interactive technology was innovative, it was “limiting.” There were dozens of interactive specials and all but four originals were removed in December 2024. However,Ranveer vs Wild with Bear GryllsandYou vs. Wildwere removed in January and the last two were departing too.
Black Mirrorfans took to social media to air their disappointment with the move. AlthoughBandersnatchreceived a mixed reception, some really loved the interactive special. The 2018 special, written by Charlie Brooker and directed by David Slade, was considered one of the boldest entries from the franchise. It features a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure story, so one has to keep their remote close and ready while watching the special because it has multiple endings, depending on the viewer’s choices. One is a meta-ending where the protagonist, Stefan, realizes he is inside a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure movie on Netflix. On average, it will take 90 minutes to complete the movie. However, the whole film has a five-hour and 12-minute runtime. But to see all the iterations possible depending on the various choices could take all day.
Netflix introduced interactive content to get audiences to participate in the storytelling. It’s sufficient to say that the ambitious programs did not achieve their desired engagement levels because the platform decided to focus on mobile and cloud gaming instead. However, some who enjoyed it were disappointed because they had started to enjoy the engaging format. Among the favorites wereBattle Kitty,Minecraft: Story Mode, andJurassic World Camp Cretaceous: Hidden Adventure.
