Netflix subscribers are abandoning the platform in significant numbers following the premiere of the first ‘traumatizing’ episode of Black Mirror’s latest season.
The popular dystopian sci-fi series, conceived by British writer Charlie Brooker, has been provoking viewers to question reality since its debut in 2011.
After a two-year hiatus, the show’s new seventh season, which was released on Netflix on April 10, is once again causing a stir and prompting viewers to reconsider their reality.
Black Mirror enthusiasts are accustomed to the show’s format, where each episode casts a harsh light on the dark truth of our tech-driven lives. However, the first episode of the new season, titled ‘Common People,’ seems to be unsettling even the most dedicated fans.
Many viewers have taken to social media to announce their decision to cancel their Netflix subscriptions immediately after watching the episode.
On Reddit, some viewers described feeling ‘very uncomfortable’ and considered it ‘one of the most horrible things’ they’ve ever experienced.
So, what’s the episode about?
Warning: Spoilers ahead for ‘Common People’
The episode delves into issues that hit close to home: the looming threat of artificial intelligence, the skyrocketing cost of healthcare, omnipresent advertisements, and the potential for tech companies to monetize everything, even life itself, if given the opportunity.
It revolves around the lives of a couple, Mike (Chris O’Dowd) and Amanda (Rashida Jones), who are financially dependent on a futuristic healthcare company, Rivermind Technologies.
When Amanda falls into a coma and is diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor, the company offers a chance at survival through a groundbreaking procedure that installs a high-tech system in her brain.
This life-saving technology, however, comes with a recurring monthly fee.
Amanda must remain within a certain distance from the vendor’s server to stay alive, and the company continually adjusts the terms of the subscription, leaving the couple in a constant struggle to afford the service.
Among the most disheartening scenes in the episode, Mike resorts to performing embarrassing stunts on live-streams for money, while Amanda’s subscription downgrades to a basic level, causing her to become a mere vehicle for incessant advertisements.
The relentless ads drive Mike to take on more humiliating tasks to afford the ‘Rivermind Lux’ upgrade for Amanda.
“It was the ads bit that had me,” commented one viewer on Reddit. “I couldn’t stomach it all in one sitting.”
Others found it disturbingly relatable, with one writing: “This episode messed me up completely. It feels creepier given how close to reality it is. We already have ad-tiers for everything. How soon until there’s an ad-tier model in healthcare?”
“They legit put a subscription on life,” remarked another. “And then added the ads. It just kept getting weirder and creepier.”
Many viewers experienced strong physical reactions, such as panic attacks and nausea, after watching the episode.
“It triggered me with subscription-based services,” shared one disturbed viewer. “I used to enjoy this show when it seemed unrealistic, but now it feels too real.”
In a recent interview with Radio Times, Brooker spoke about the rise of AI, stating: “There’s not a human on the planet who’s not getting a little frisson of cold fear when they look at what [AI] it’s capable of.”
You have been warned…