Last Chance to Play: Black Mirror: Bandersnatch Leaving Netflix on May 12

You have just a few more days to explore Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, the interactive special episode that lets viewers chart their own narratives using an on-screen pop-up menu. It's a bit ironic that technology might be responsible for the show's end, considering that Black Mirror often highlights the perils of over-reliance on technology. Despite initially surviving Netflix’s purge of its interactive content, Bandersnatch will depart the streaming service on May 12. If you haven’t yet experienced the unique journey of aspiring video game creator Stefan Butler (played by Fionn Whitehead) or want one last hurrah, make sure to set aside some time this weekend. Netflix’s decision to remove Bandersnatch and another interactive special, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs the Reverend, comes shortly after the debut of Black Mirror's seventh season. This move isn’t a negative reflection on the Black Mirror series as a whole; instead, it signifies Netflix’s ongoing shift away from interactive programming in favor of gaming. As Gizmodo noted in November 2024, and previously reported by The Verge, Netflix’s technological explorations are now more focused on gaming experiences rather than interactive narrative shows. Coinciding with the new Black Mirror season, Netflix has released a tie-in game called Thronglets. This game mirrors the unsettling, constantly expanding online ecosystem featured in the episode "Plaything." For fans of Bandersnacht, there’s a silver lining: characters from the interactive special, including Will Poulter’s quirky and unstable game designer Colin Ritman, reappear in "Plaything." If you're looking for more io9 news, stay tuned for updates on the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, upcoming plans for the DC Universe in both film and TV, and essential information about the future of Doctor Who.