Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018)

In 1984, a young programmer begins to question reality as he works to adapt a fantasy novel into a video game.

Director:

David Slade

Writer:

Charlie Brooker

Stars:

Fionn Whitehead, Craig Parkinson, Alice Lowe

3 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 Bradley	...	Robin
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 | videogame | gamebook | interactive | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Official Sites:

Official page on Netflix

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 December 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

Black Mirror: Bandersnatch

Filming Locations:

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

As well as showing the glyph from White Bear, the shape of the windows in Stefan's house are reminiscent of Tetris block shapes, another game reference.

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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

Colin Ritman: There's messages in every game. Like Pac-Man. Do you know what PAC stands for? P-A-C: "program and control." He's Program and Control Man the whole things a metaphor, he thinks he's got free will but really he's trapped in a maze, in a system, all he can do is consume, he's pursued by demons that are probably just in his own head, and even if he does manage to escape by slipping out one side of the maze, what happens? He comes right back in the other side. People think it's a happy game, it's ...

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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

Spin-off Nohzdyve (2018)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Is it really under your control?

Bandersnatch feels like something completely new. It was an awesome experience. You are the factor that can alter character's story for better or worse. Even the supporting characters are influenced by the decisions you make. There's a different end for everyone depending on your choices. Netflix says that there are 5 "main endings" with multiple variants of each. When you watch it again after watching, it makes you feel like you're watching a different movie. Netflix has found a way to make it a deeply personal experience. You feel responsible for the character's choices. It's really fun to have the options in the hands of the audience. And for a first attempt, Netflix succeeds. You should watch it. - I saw people who couldn't get the message the movie wanted to give. I recommend that they watch carefully. 9/10