By Do you too feel that with each passing day, we are rapidly nearing a far-fetched dystopian future? That the world around us is sliding and slipping further and further away from the truth that we knew was our reality?
It’s precisely what you feel every time you give ‘Black Mirror’ a watch. And the latest season, which included six brand-new power-packed chapters, was no different. Notably, the episode ‘Common People’ took the cake and definitely shook the viewers! The same distinctive, razor-sharp social commentary on technology blended with reflections on contemporary anxieties delivered through a compelling narrative.
Created by Charlie Brooker, ‘Black Mirror’ has been serving us with nightmarish realities of aching humans & humanity crushed under the horrors of advancements. Underlining our complicated relationship with technology infused with social conflicts, each standalone episode has us dwelling on the ethics of virtual reality, and the futuristic dread of jarring techno fables. And with artificial intelligence briskly taking over every bit of our lives, the show doesn’t simply remain a sci-fi drama but a reflection of what can actually happen, and sooner than we might expect.
While the latest season 7 gave us plot twists that will surely stick with us and will have us processing for days, or maybe longer, are you also eagerly waiting for the next installment? We certainly are.
For those who can’t wait, here are five shows that capture the essence of ‘Black Mirror.’ These will have you wondering if we’re in the same world, serving some serious existential crisis fuel, which really is the whole point of this genre, isn’t it? After all, who doesn’t like a dystopian, high-tech, high-concept cautionary tale that leaves you ruminating?
Tales from the Loop – Prime Video
Based on the art book by Simon Stålenhag, the story is set in the fictional town of Ohio that has an underground experimental lab called ‘the Loop’, where analysts explore all the mysteries that can’t be explained by science. The show explores themes similar to Black Mirror, such as social isolation, aging, death, grief, and what it means to have a human connection.
Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams – Prime Video
This anthology series is inspired by the works of sci-fi maestro Philip K. Dick, who also influenced ‘Screamers’, ‘Minority Report’, ‘Blade Runner’, ‘Total Recall’ and many others. Electric Dreams comprises 10 standalone episodes like ‘Black Mirror,’ delving into themes of isolation, discrimination, AI, and relationships. It boasts cameos from Janelle Monae, Terrence Howard, Richard Madden, Benedict Wong, Greg Kinnear, and Bryan Cranston among others.
Solos – Prime Video
Solos packs loads of star power with Anne Hathaway, Anthony Mackie & Morgan Freeman, combining literary, mind-bending storytelling with profound explorations of isolation and technology. The series takes viewers on a journey of exploration in the company of seven strangers as they discover the common thread running through humanity, examining our connections in a technologically advanced world much like ‘Black Mirror’ does.
Love, Death & Robots – Netflix
Alternate histories, life for robots in a post-apocalyptic city, and shape-shifting soldiers—backed by the maverick David Fincher himself, ‘Love, Death & Robots’ features eclectic themes that will leave a lasting impression. This anthology is like taking in small sips of chaos, darkness, erotica, and beauty in the abyss—all topped with exceptional animation. Perfect for people who like short episodes, with standout installments like ‘Jibaro’ and ‘Snow in the Desert’ that resonate long after viewing.
Extrapolations – Apple TV+
Set in a climate-ravaged near-future between the years 2037 and 2070, ‘Extrapolations’ examines challenges that impact global ecological stakes, jumping back & forth in time. The story explores environmental catastrophes, each linked to the CEO of tech conglomerate Alpha. Starring icons like Meryl Streep, Edward Norton, Forest Whitaker, Gemma Chan, and Kit Harington, this show examines the ramifications of technological cataclysm on societies, the planet, and human rights.