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Quick horror is the hallmark of modern entertainment. Jump scares, edge-of-the-seat suspense, and nonstop action are all popular methods of creating fast-paced blockbusters that are sure to be crowd pleasers. There’s nothing wrong with that at all, but in the process of perfecting the horror genre, one subgenre has fallen to the unfortunate wayside.
Psychological horror is a type of horror that relies less on physical and verbal cues to induce anxiety and more on using the viewer’s own fears and subconscious discomfort against them. They aren’t necessarily outwardly scary, but invoke thoughts that may cause fear in the viewer. Although difficult to execute without appearing cheesy, they can be a powerful piece if they are successfully developed.
Black Mirror is a British anthology series created by Charlie Brooker. There are currently six episodes, each one featuring a new set of characters and an entirely different world. The only thing each episode has in common is the theme: overarching technology. In one episode, a completely automated world is powered by human labor, like hamsters running on wheels. Another features the disturbing possibility of artificial intelligence imitating deceased loved ones. Each episode is different and does not tie in with the others in any manner except theme. Fortunately, this doesn’t take away from the quality of the program.
The most appealing quality of the show is how much it forces the viewer to think and examine their own worship of technology. Not many modern programs evoke that kind of thoughtfulness, and Black Mirror strums what is perhaps humanities biggest kryptonite to create a tune of subtle unease. The part that really makes Black Mirror unsettling? Nothing depicted is extremely far-fetched. Nearly everything could be achieved in as little as a decade with a little patience and dedication.
The scenarios depicted in Black Mirror aren’t necessarily doomsday scenarios. Rather, they show what human life could evolve to if our fascination and dependency on technology goes unchecked. Unlike many sci-fi, futuristic programs, the human race isn’t immediate danger. Ironically, this may have been less unsettling than the reality of the anthology. The utter complacency is what really makes the show. The fact that humans are completely dependent on advanced technology and not at all perturbed by it is a disturbing reality that hits very close to home in a world where people are less likely to forget their phones than their children.
The level of meticulous detail in Black Mirror is evident even as early as the first episode. This unassuming, underrated British anthology has gotten rave reviews from those who took the time to actually watch it and appreciate it, earning an 8.8 rating from the Internet Movie Database and four out of five stars on Amazon. While it’s no Paranormal Activity, anyone who enjoys a good old Hollywood thriller will appreciate the rush of adrenaline triggered by the paranoia the program induces.