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Netflixs interactive movieBlack Mirror: Bandersnatchis at once something old and something new.
to the life-altering (should your protagonist jump to his death?).
The storyBandersnatchtells is about a young video-game designer named Stefan Butler (Fionn Whitehead).
As a viewer, many of your choices control Stefans physical actions.
Should he exhibit nervousness by pulling on his earlobe, or by biting his nails?
Should he spill tea on his computer?
In this respect,Bandersnatchisnt novel.
What makesBandersnatchfeel so revolutionary is its clean integration of technology and storytelling.
But the most impressive thing aboutBandersnatchis how well it proves that technology and narrative are tied together.
It is undeniably impressive.
But still, the next tipping point looms.
Is this the dawn of a new genre?
As impressive asBandersnatchis, I really hope that wont be the case.
And if itmustbe, I pray to the gods of interactive television thatBandersnatchwont be the dominant model.
), and its implications are downright troubling.
Bandersnatchis also inescapably self-reflexive.
Whos doing this to me?
he yells, furious and terrified.
His resistance is futile.
you’re able to tell him that Netflix is doing it.
Its one of the funniest moments of the whole experience, but it doesntgoanywhere.
Its cute and its creepy, but it, too, is a dead end.
This is the only ending where the storys ever-present game critic gives Stefans game five stars out of five.
But I digress.)
If thats not a metaphor for life worthy ofBlack Mirror, I dont know what is.
