After almost two years of waiting, Black Mirror Season 7 is finally here, continuing the brilliance of showrunner Charlie Brooker with his mind-bending, tech-twisted storytelling.
The six new episodes explore the dark intersections of technology and human behavior, each telling a unique story with chilling concepts and varying levels of emotional impact.
After the mixed reviews the previous season received due to its change of tone, the show returned to its roots with its futuristic stories.
However, not all episodes have been loved by fans, leaving some stunned and others divided. That said, here is our definitive ranking of all Black Mirror Season 7 episodes, from best to worst.
Warning: Spoilers ahead.
1. Episode 6: ‘Eulogy’
“Eulogy” is deemed the best episode of Black Mirror Season 7, not just because it is led by the award-winning actor Paul Giamatti, but its ability to deliver a blend of emotional storytelling and incisive commentary on capitalism and technology.
A poignant exploration of memory, grief, and the complexities of past relationships, it features a tragic romance shaped by a futuristic device that lets people relive memories with perfect clarity.
Playing the role of Phillip, Giamatti delivers a compelling performance as he revisits old photographs of his deceased ex-girlfriend.
With its themes of regret and loss, “Eulogy” is easily compared to the critically acclaimed “San Junipero” episode from the third season.
2. Episode 1: ‘Common People’
The season opener sets a grim tone for Black Mirror Season 7 with its exploration of healthcare as a subscription-based service.
It all starts when Amanda (Rashida Jones) suffers a sudden medical emergency, leaving her in critical condition. Desperate to save his wife, Mike (Chris O’Dowd) turns to Rivermind, a tech company offering a revolutionary procedure that replaces damaged brain tissue with a high-tech material.
However, keeping Amanda alive comes with a hefty price. The episode's critique of predatory capitalism is both timely and chilling, with Mike taking extreme measures to continue Amanda’s functionality until they cannot take it anymore.
3. Episode 3: ‘Hotel Reverie’
A blend of romance and science fiction, “Hotel Reverie” follows the story of Brandy (Issa Rae), an actress who joins an artificial reality movie project created by ReDream technology.
Set in a virtual recreation of 1940s Hollywood, she eventually falls in love with a digital recreation of a classic film actress, Dorothy (Emma Corrin).
However, as they navigate this black-and-white world, their deepening connection is increasingly threatened by technical glitches and narrative constraints.
This episode examines the allure of nostalgia and the ethical implications of digital resurrection.
4. Episode 2: ‘Bête Noire’
“Bête Noire” may have the best set-up of any episode of Black Mirror Season 7, but while it is solid, it is not groundbreaking.
Centering on Maria (Siena Kelly), the chocolate company’s culinary researcher experiences a series of unsettling events following the arrival of Verity (Rosy McEwen), a former schoolmate who joins her workplace unexpectedly.
After being bullied by Maria and her classmates in high school, Verity takes vengeance by using advanced technology to manipulate reality.
But though “Bête Noire” perfectly conveys the themes of insanity and paranoia, it keeps viewers guessing until the end, with its final 10 minutes feeling a little rushed.
5. Episode 4: ‘Plaything’
Set in the same universe as the 2018 interactive special Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, “Plaything” brings back Will Poulter’s odd video game designer Colin Ritman and an older Cameron Walker, played by none other than Peter Capaldi.
Following a former video game journalist who recounts a murder linked to a 1990s virtual pet game, this episode explores themes of obsession, digital consciousness, and the thin line between reality and simulation.
Though this episode is undeniably engaging, especially with Capaldi in the lead, its intriguing concept falters slightly in execution, failing to reach the heights of the previous game-centric Black Mirror episodes.
6. Episode 6: ‘USS Callister: Into Infinity’
As a sequel to the acclaimed Season 4 episode “USS Callister,” there are high expectations surrounding “Into Infinity.” However, it fails to capture the charm and depth of its predecessor.
Revisiting the digital crew as they face new challenges in the virtual universe, the story somehow feels stretched and lacks the character development that made the original interesting.
As they say, nothing beats the original, making this first-ever sequel in the world of Black Mirror the worst episode of Season 7.
Despite the complaints the previous season received, Black Mirror redeemed itself with Season 7’s darkly imaginative tales about humanity’s relationship with technology.
While not every episode is a fan-favorite, there is no denying that standout entries like “Eulogy” and “Common People” prove why this Netflix anthology series remains one of television’s most thought-provoking shows.