Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018)

A young programmer starts to question reality when he adapts a mad writer's fantasy novel into a video game.

Director:

David Slade

Writer:

Charlie Brooker

Stars:

Fionn Whitehead, Craig Parkinson, Alice Lowe

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 4 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Fionn Whitehead	...	Stefan Butler
Craig Parkinson	...	Peter Butler
Alice Lowe	...	Dr. Haynes
Asim Chaudhry	...	Mohan Thakur
Will Poulter	...	Colin Ritman
Tallulah Haddon	...	Kitty
Catriona Knox	...	Leslie
Paul Michael Bradley	...	Robin (as Paul Bradley)
Jonathan Aris	...	Crispin
A.J. Houghton	...	Young Stefan
Fleur Keith	...	Mum
Laura Evelyn	...	Pearl Ritman
Alan Asaad	...	Satpal
Suzanne Burden	...	Judith Mulligan
Jeff Minter	...	Jerome F. Davies

Storyline

1984. Stefan is developing a computer game based on the book 'Bandersnatch', a novel where you get to make choices and this determines the story. He has an opportunity to take his game to Tuckersoft, a software company, and have them release it. However, the more he works on the game the more his life emulates the game, with choices being made that are out of his control. Stefan appears to be going insane

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Plot Keywords:

interactive movie | 1980s | computer | gamebook | interactive | 

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Did You Know?

Trivia

The premise of the film (i.e. allowing the viewer to choose a desired storyline) is similar to the "Choose Your Own Adventure" book series. Chooseco, which publishes the book series, sued Netflix for $25 million for tarnishing its brand.

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Goofs

The branch of WH Smith shown in the show has prominent travel adverts and a dedicated section for computer games and music. Whilst WH Smith did indeed operate a travel business up until 1991, this would only have been found in the larger branches. The smaller branches would have primarily sold stationery, magazines and books.

Equally, a smaller branch such as the one shown would have had a comparatively small selection of music, mostly current hits or traffic-building big albums. It's unlikely that such a small branch would have stocked niche progressive rock albums from 1974 such as Tangerine Dream's Phaedra.

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Quotes

Stefan Butler: I've actually had a bit of breakthrough with the game. I think I'd got bogged down before, but now I can see.
Dr. Haynes: So you finally finished it?
Stefan Butler: Finished, delivered, everything. I'd been trying to give the player too much choice. So I just went back and stripped loads out. And now they've only got the illusion of free will, but really, I decide the ending.
Dr. Haynes: And is it a happy ending?
Stefan Butler: I think so.

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Crazy Credits

In a few endings, once you finish the credits, a post-credits scene will play. Stefan would be seen on the same bus from the beginning, and plays a cassette called "BANDERSNATCH DEMO". The audio would just be some beeps and bleeps, but when translated using a ZX Spectrum Emulator, it gives you a QR code leading to the Tuckersoft website, found here: https://www.tuckersoft.net/ealing20541/

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Alternate Versions

There is no single narrative or version. There are five different endings, each with multiple pathways to them.

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Connections

References Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (1991)

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Soundtracks

Hold Me Now
Written by Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie and Joe Leeway
Performed by Thompson Twins

User Reviews

Black Mirror Bandersnatch: Mixed bag

As I write this I'm hugely torn, Bandersnatch is a wildly unique experience yet is a mixed bag of genius and unrivaled stupidity.

A Netflix original interactive movie Bandersnatch tells the tale of a video game programmer and his gradual mental deterioration.

First of all let me say I adore interactive movies when they're in video game form, from the Tell Tale epics to Heavy Rain (2010) and Beyond Two Souls (2013). The concept really suits me and opens up new doors within the entertainment industry so I'm surprised that this isn't done more often.

Sadly if you think this is the start of something on Netflix then think again, the interactivity gimmick is part of the entire thing. I can't say more without going into spoiler territory but it's a real shame that it won't proceed from here.

The interactivity within Bandersnatch is at a decent frequency, not too much and not too little. The problem is that ultimately your decisions don't mean anything, at all. If you're expecting multiple story arcs you'll be sorely disappointed.

Which poses new questions, such as why create such a movie with this gimmick if they aren't going to fully utilize it? They had an opportunity here to do something really special and the thoroughly blew it.

When you take a step back however and don't focus on the interactive element what you'll find is an interesting enough feature. Starring Will Poulter it looks the part, has a solid 80's feel and soundtrack and was a great trip down memory lane for a person of my generation.

Reminding me oddly of The Butterfly Effect (2004) I have to say that the movie (Taking away the interactive element) isn't the most engaging tale but certainly comes together in the end and delivered what I would consider a freight train of a finale. I'm not going through it again to see if there are alternate endings, but based on what happens throughout and how ultimately choices are meaningless I'd be surprised if there is more than 1 additional.

Black Mirror: Bandersnatch is potential wasted and a grand scale.

The Good:

Some great writing

Very nostalgic

Solid 80's soundtrack

Incredible finale

The Bad:

Gets very repetitive

The decision based gameplay is ultimately pointless

Details

Official Sites:

Official page on Netflix

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 December 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

Black Mirror: Bandersnatch

Filming Locations:

St. George's Walk, Croydon, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

House Of Tomorrow, Netflix

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1