Yikes. 😳
9 Creepy Times 'Black Mirror' Got Way Too Close To Reality

Black Mirror is most famously known for curating episodes filled with futuristic dystopias, under the themes of different technological and societal anxieties. While each episode follows a different storyline and character arc, the overarching narrative delves into overconsumption by humans, whether that be through technology, security, politics, or more.
With season 7's release in 2025, it’s interesting to look back on past episodes of the sci-fi show, given that many people say they can “predict” the future.
Here’s a compiled list of nine Black Mirror episodes that eerily mirrored real-life developments.
1. “Be Right Back” (Season 2, Episode 1)
Netflix
This episode seemed like a natural opener due to all of the recent talk surrounding advancements in AI technology. ChatGPT is most popular today, but this episode explores just how intimate and emotionally complex AI can truly get.
The plotline follows AI recreations of deceased loved ones. Real-world parallels include services like HereAfter AI and Project December, which create chatbots mimicking the personalities of the dead.
2. “Shut Up and Dance” (Season 3, Episode 3)
Netflix
Another unsettling episode, except this one portrays the darker consequences of everyday tech. It depicts a teenager blackmailed by hackers through webcam footage, reflecting the rise in cybercrimes and sextortion schemes that have become all too common in recent years.
3. “The Waldo Moment” (Season 2, Episode 3)
Netflix
This episode features a crude cartoon character becoming a political candidate, satirizing the state of populist politics. It definitely echoes real-world instances where entertainment figures and media personalities have entered political races—and even held office.
4. “Nosedive” (Season 3, Episode 1)
Netflix
This pastel-toned nightmare centers on a society where social ratings determine nearly every aspect of a person’s life, from jobs to housing. It draws clear parallels to China's "Civility Code," which monitors and rates citizens’ behavior using surveillance and digital metrics.
5. “Arkangel” (Season 4, Episode 2)
Christos Kalohoridis/Netflix
Directed by Jodie Foster, this episode involves a mother implanting a microchip in her daughter to monitor everything she sees and experiences. While it’s not a reality (yet), it’s uncomfortably close to some advanced parental control technologies available today.
6. “Hang the DJ” (Season 4, Episode 4)
Netflix
With the rise of algorithm-based dating apps like Tinder and Hinge, this episode presents a system that pairs individuals through a “simulation” to determine perfect compatibility. It reflects how much modern love is guided—and sometimes gamified—by algorithms.
7. “Hated in the Nation” (Season 3, Episode 6)
Laurie Sparham/Netflix
This episode depicts a world where social media users vote on who should die, leading to real-world consequences via autonomous drones. It serves as a chilling metaphor for online cancel culture, mob mentality, and the unintended consequences of digital outrage.
8. “The Entire History of You” (Season 1, Episode 3)
Netflix
A tech implant allows people to replay every memory they’ve ever experienced. This concept closely mirrors real-life developments in wearable tech and ongoing experiments with smart contact lenses and continuous recording devices.
9. “Common People” (Season 7, Episode 1)
Netflix
One of the newest installments, this episode follows a couple drawn into a sinister wellness tech program. It critiques the commodification of health and the sometimes predatory nature of self-improvement apps, echoing concerns about the booming wellness industry.
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