The film had a unique concept Netflix fans didn’t expect

An ‘impressive’ film that came as a shock for Netflix users, is one that Black Mirror fans should make sure they watch before the new season arrives.

The much anticipated seventh series of the anthology show arrives later this month, April 10, exclusively on the streaming platform. It will bring with it six brand new episodes for viewers to binge at their leisure.

For the first time ever, fans are anticipating one of those to be a sequel to one of the most popular episodes. That is because among them will be a follow up to the episode USS Callister, originally part of season four. Many might be making sure they catch up on that particular outing or rewatch to make sure events are fresh in their memory.

However, that’s not all as there is also a film that fans should make sure they check out. That is because characters from the Black Mirror film Bandersnatch appear to be making a return in another of the new episodes.

The film was released in 2018, and written by Black Mirror series creator Charlie Brooker. It is very much considered as part of the show’s universe. Bandersnatch, is set in 1984, where Stephan, a young programmer tries to adapt a dark fantasy novel into an interactive video game.

However, as he preoccupies himself, his version of reality blends with a murky dream-like state and soon faces a mind-mangling challenge. What makes Bandersnatch unique, is that it itself is interactive, in the style of a choose your own adventure game. Viewers are regularly presented with different options to choose for what they want the characters to do next.

Netflix reported that there are five “main” endings, with variants within each ending; some are intercut with credits, similar to other Black Mirror episodes. However, fans will be eager to find out which, if any, are considered the proper or canon ending with characters returning in some capacity.

After Netflix revealed the first look at Black Mirror’s seventh season, eagle eyed fans spotted that Will Poulter appears to be returning as his Bandersnatch character Colin Ritman. As is Asim Chaudhry who plays Mohan Thakur.

They are expected to feature in the episode, Plaything which is set around a decade after the events of Bandersnatch. Netflix confirmed the synopsis as follows: “An eccentric loner named Cameron, who harbours an obsession with a mysterious ’90s video game, is arrested in connection with a grisly cold case — and his interrogation soon goes to places the police weren’t expecting.”

While the episode doesn’t seem to be a direct sequel to the film, fans may want to rediscover the title to see how they may fit together. Critical reception was mixed after the initial release but fans still look back on it fondly.

In fact, one claimed they enjoyed it more revisiting the title more recently. They said: “I recently revisited Bandersnatch and must say it is way better than I remembered. At the time of its release in 2018 it felt gimmicky and shallow, but it has aged like a fine wine. It’s a truly unique piece of work which is often derided but is well worth your attention and is actually very thought-provoking.”

Another admitted to being shocked at the whole concept: “The film was at first a shock to me as it became a choose your own adventure styled game while the film progressed. I was impressed that the decisions made affected the characters and their awareness of the changes were also evident.”

Someone else advised that viewers not watch or play the film on their own. The explained: “I can’t begin to explain how unsettling yet amazing this was I have never had goosebumps but been so creeped out at the same time. The acting was amazing the points of the plot where you feel the characters are actually talking to you is unnerving yet amazing at the same time. I would highly recommend not watching this by yourself. I loved the multiple endings and the way you could go back to choose the different storylines it really added to the creepy effect. “

Bandersnatch is streaming on Netflix, Black Mirror Season 7 is streaming from April 10.