The clue is in the name, and in case you hadn't already guessed, Black Mirror is a pretty dark series that isn't exactly an easy watch. After starting way back in 2011 as a much smaller affair, we've now had 33 episodes of technological terror in this dystopian anthology.
While Black Mirror has dabbled in other ideas like season 6's Red Mirror pilot called "Demon 79", it's all pretty formulaic, where we're taught a harrowing message about tech, and no one's a winner.
Black Mirror season 7 has just arrived on Netflix, and while we're disappointed we never got that proposed "USS Callister" spin-off, a highlight of the series' return is the long-awaited sequel to the fan-favorite episode.
There are plenty of surprises, like an unexpected Bandersnatch sequel, while season 7 once again boasts an all-star cast. While Black Mirror has previously boasted the likes of Jodie Whittaker, Daniel Kaluuya, and Hayley Atwell before they were as big as they are today, it has since become known for its A-list credentials. After season 6 netted Josh Hartnett, Salma Hayek, and more, season 7 has added Paul Giamatti, Issa Rae, and Peter Capaldi.
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Black Mirror season 7 opened with a typically star-studded affair as Parks and Recreation's Rashida Jones and Bridesmaids' Chris O'Dowd played a downtrodden couple in "Common People".
We watch as Amanda and Mike's lives fall apart, with a story all about subscription services and fears that this is the way our lives could be heading with real-life tier systems. It's a hard watch with a pretty glum ending, but the irony is that in this society of Netflix being called out for raising its prices, some of you are apparently canceling your subscription.
Black Mirror was never meant to be a comfortable watch, and after episodes involving everything from child pornography to having sex with a pig, "Common People" seems like an unlikely one to have viewers saying enough is enough.
Still, many on Reddit said they found the episode too uncomfortable to watch. One traumatized viewer wrote: "Of all the Black Mirror episodes, ad-tier healthcare is quite possibly the closest to home creepiest sh*t they've ever done. I'm not sure I'll stomach the rest."
Another added: "I liked the episode a lot. But yes it was imo the most disturbing and sad episode in Black Mirror history so far.
“My fiance is very sensitive, and he watched it with me and now hates the entire show, so I wish I would have known not to let him watch that one 😂."
A third said: "I watched this episode during my flight to pass some time. I wish I didn't watch it. It spoiled my vacation!"
Rushing to cancel their subscriptions, someone concluded: "It triggered me with subscription-based services. I used to love this show when it seemed outlandish and fake, now it's too realistic."
Over on X, another wrote: "After watching "Common People" episode of #BlackMirrorS7 if you still don't cancel almost all your paid subscriptions then you are walking down a very slippery slope. #Netflix."
While Netflix is clearly having a little fun by poking fun at its own subscription models of it and its rivals, it could inadvertently be pushing its users to cancel. Then again, with it recently boasting some pretty healthy profits, we don't imagine the streaming giant will be too concerned.
