Black Mirror Bandersnatch

This is not a movie review as I couldn't discuss the movie at all without spoiling it. It's the first interactive movie I've ever watched and found the process interesting. I think many regular visitors to this site will find it extremely entertaining based on the subject matter. I did.

The real reason for my post is really some questions. Is Netflix storing the interactive directions we give per Membership Profile? Is this just another way to gather data on individuals' likes, dislikes, and/or personalities? If so, will the information be shared or sold to any other entity? I would imagine that this could be a highly effective tool in weeding out psychopaths. Just some questions I had while watching that were generated as much by the subject matter as the interactive nature of the movie.

Please let me know what you think about the movie and the questions.

a reply to: TobyFlenderson

It would stand to reason that it's highly likely.

Data and personal information is a hot commodity.

So much that I'm starting to think that anyone who stores it should be cutting dividend checks to those people.

a reply to: TobyFlenderson

For some reason, the interactive content wouldn't work on my laptop.

It told me I'd have to watch it on my phone or TV. So I guess I'll be doing that later.


To the OP:
Yeah, I would imagine they would use that information to further refine the recommendations they make to you.

As for your psychopath question, what exactly do you mean by "weed out"?
You can't really score someone on the PCL-R by their viewing preferences.
Do you think Netflix is going to send guys in white jumpsuits with butterfly nets to drag people out of their living rooms?

a reply to: watchitburn

Assuming your question wasn't rhetorical, I'm guessing that interactive entertainment of this type is a genre we will be seeing more of, that other entertainment companies will follow suit, and that ultimately Those Who Shan't Be Named will have major influence over some of the productions and will be gathering the responses.

I found it very amusing for some reason.

I am glad that it is being discussed here.

I kept talking to the guy and after a while it really did seem like a game, though I do feel a bit uncomfortable about where this can lead in the future.

I thought the idea was really neat, but I wasn't crazy about the storyline in the movie. I'm a huge fan of Black Mirror and I had some major hopes for this movie. But all in all I think it was good!

a reply to: TobyFlenderson

I had this idea about 3 or 4 years ago but didn't know where to go with it, also it pretty much came and went but I guess it could take off. Havn't tried it with this black mirror though.... yet. Reason being I didn't want to sit at my PC. Also this could be another 'programming' or 'brainwashing' tool, a way to find out how people think given a certain situation and make them change their minds as to how they should think.

a reply to: TobyFlenderson

It’s highly likely it will be used to psychologically profile viewers. The gaming industry has done it already. As an example when you complete gta5 it provides you with a description of your personality based on the decisions you made throughout the game.

It’s uncanny how accurate that description is. To me all this information gathering and big data can’t just be about targeted advertising though that’s one aspect I think the bigger picture is about behaviour control modification and social engineering.

Saw this as I was trawling Netflix last night but it was already late so I didn't want to start it.

My question: how well does the interactive angle work? Is it sort of a "choose your adventure" type deal, or is it like the old blu-ray "interactive" discs that you can just hit a button and a little box with extra info pops up?

a reply to: Shamrock6

You make certain decisions for the protagonist, some seemingly unimportant. Each leads to a different version of events but you really have no way of predicting what the results of the decisions will be. It's a bit gimmicky but novel. I think as time and technology progresses it could get more interesting.

a reply to: Jess_Undefined

It's funny, I'm not really much of a fan of Black Mirror but found the subject matter of this movie really interesting and relevant. To each his or her own I guess.

a reply to: TruthxIsxInxThexMist

You can watch it on your TV and use your remote to control the decisions. That's if you have a smart (or spy) tv.

a reply to: TobyFlenderson

Awesome, thanks for the info. That's what I was hoping for.

Totally agree that it's an idea that will get better with time but hey, somebody has to do it first, right? I loved the CYA type novels growing up, and my kids are pretty big into them (they won't be doing Black Mirror, obviously) so it's really exciting to see this idea trying to hatch

a reply to: TobyFlenderson

I fell asleep watching it last night, but I was able to watch it this morning.

I thought the most interesting/nefarious part of it was that it was leading you to a certain conclusion and if you made choices to avert the worst outcomes it would loop you back around in time and pretty much force you to it desired outcomes.

I'm not sure if it would be effective in further refining recommendations, because I imagine lots of people will go through it to try and find all the different outcomes.

But who knows, it could be a precursor for further research like this.

originally posted by: TobyFlenderson
a reply to: TruthxIsxInxThexMist

You can watch it on your TV and use your remote to control the decisions. That's if you have a smart (or spy) tv.

Don't have a smart tv or any TV as I watch everything on my PC now.

a reply to: TruthxIsxInxThexMist

I watched it on my PC. It was not the interactive version. This version of the movie played through all the different choices.

The best outcome was a 2 1/2 point rating on the game and no one died or a 5 point rating on the game and one dead. Would of liked to see where the choices could lead to a 5 point rating and no one dead, but it is Black Mirror after all.

a reply to: TobyFlenderson

Best Fu$%$%ing thing i've watched in a long long time.

I had to watch it twice after i realised it was interactive.