Black Mirror is back with its seventh season, and it’s a mixed bag — but thankfully, more good than bad. Long-time fans will be happy to know that the show feels closer to its older self — the original Channel 4 days — when it was bold, edgy, and deeply unsettling.
The Netflix version of Black Mirror has often been accused of losing that raw spark. While the production quality has gone up, the storytelling has sometimes felt hollow. Season 7 tries to fix that — and mostly succeeds.
Six Stories, Many Emotions
This season brings us six unique episodes: four original stories, one spinoff, and one sequel. Some of these are absolute gems.
- Common People is one of the strongest episodes, so powerful it even led some viewers to cancel their Netflix subscriptions.
- Plaything, featuring Peter Capaldi, is creepy and memorable — a real highlight.
- Eulogy is emotional and haunting, reminding us why Black Mirror works best when it focuses on human feelings more than just futuristic tech.
Even though technology is present in every story, it’s often in the background. The real focus is on people, their choices, and the world they create — which is exactly what made the earlier seasons so impactful.
Simple, Smart Storytelling
One of the best things about Season 7 is its return to straightforward storytelling. It doesn’t try to be too clever or confusing. The messages are clear, sometimes even blunt, but they hit hard. The writing respects the audience and doesn’t talk down to them.
The final episode, USS Callister: Into Infinity, is a sequel to a fan-favorite from Season 4. It not only continues the story but also works as a standalone. Plus, there are many fun Easter eggs throughout the season for longtime fans to enjoy — including nods to Bandersnatch and the classic San Junipero.
Standout Performances
There are some truly brilliant performances this season. Peter Capaldi plays a deeply disturbing character with chilling conviction. Emma Corrin shines as a 1940s actress in a story that blends past and present.
Cristin Milioti and Jesse Plemons return in the USS Callister sequel and don’t disappoint. But the most touching episode is Common People, thanks to moving performances by Rashida Jones and Chris O’Dowd. Their chemistry makes the story even more heartbreaking.
Where It Falls Short
Not everything works, though. Bête Noire starts strong but ends poorly, possibly with the weakest conclusion in the show’s history — yes, even worse than Joan Is Awful. Another episode, Hotel Reverie, tries to mix old Hollywood charm with futuristic escape, but it fails to connect emotionally, despite Emma Corrin’s effort.
These back-to-back episodes slow down the momentum of an otherwise strong season.
Rating: ★★★.5
Cast Highlights: Rashida Jones, Chris O’Dowd, Peter Capaldi, Emma Corrin, Jesse Plemons, Cristin Milioti
Creator: Charlie Brooker
