Technology Versus Individual: An Analysis on Interactive Film Black Mirror: Bandersnatch

Abstract

One of the basic themes of technology-based dystopian narratives appears as the problem of selfdetermination. In these narratives that proceed through concepts such as surveillance and control; there are descriptions of a dark future in which the individual becomes an object. Netflix production Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (David Slade, 2018) examines the loss of individuality and the loss of selfdetermination. The film, as a technology-based narrative, connects these concepts to the impact of technology. In the narrative, a critical discourse has been developed over the possible impacts of technology, by removing the self-determination of the protagonist by giving the audience the ability to choose instead. This study aims to examine the effects of technology on individuals, and their freedom through the science fiction anthology: Black Mirror. In this study, the issue of self-determination of an individual through the concepts of surveillance and technology is discussed within the interactive film Bandersnatch, a part of the anthology. A discourse analysis is applied to the film through three basic interpretative repertoires: (a) "Loss of individuality", (b) "loss of reality", (c) "decentralization". It is concluded that; the messages include increase of surveillance and control caused by technology in postmodern society, will have effects on the individual, especially the loss of individuality is depicted by Bandersnatch as in other Black Mirror episodes. Another result is that, the Black Mirror anthology gives a critique of the present while narrating the future.

Be a part of the narrative: How audiences are introduced to the “free choice dilemma” in the interactive film Bandersnatch

“…From an 'anti-utopian' perspective, the series expresses the impact and concern of the constant development of science and technology. Black Mirror has found a space in popular culture over the last decade to become a moniker representing the negative impact of digital technologies on human beings and society (AKŞİT and NAZLI, 2020). Netflix released its first interactive film, Bandersnatch, as part of the Black Mirror series around Christmas in 2018.…”

“…Bandersnatch is a stand-alone film presented as a video tale mixed with elements of the interactive video game and TV series (Nee, 2021). Thus, the audience can control the protagonist's actions and choices through the remote control or touch the screen (AKŞİT and NAZLI, 2020). Black Mirror's Bandersnatch was marketed as the first interactive narrative aimed at a mature audience on the streaming platform Netflix (Rezk and Haahr, 2020: 183).…”