Netflix has been a pioneering force in media distribution. Founded over two decades ago, Netflix initially focused on selling and renting DVDs to its subscribers through the mail. In 2007, Netflix evolved its business practices to include streaming, giving its users instantaneous access to its library of movies and television shows.

Since then, Netflix has begun producing its own content while looking to innovate filmmaking. One program that’s grown into a flagship program for the California-based company is Black Mirror, and they released a new film set in its universe last month called Black Mirror: Bandersnatch.

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Other mediums, such as video games or Choose Your Own Adventure books, have integrated the user’s decision making into a core part of the experience. Although Netflix has dabbled in audience interactivity in prior productions, Bandersnatch is billed as the first “Netflix Interactive Film,” offering audiences something traditional films or cable programming can’t.

One arrives at one of five core endings (or any of their variations) depending on the actions they take throughout the story. However, Netflix has been coy with the nature of these endings and how to obtain them, hoping to leave “a little mystery” for fans to unravel. Similarly, a noncommittal shrug emoji is all they had to say concerning the presence of hidden easter eggs.

Fionn Whitehead stars as Stefan, who Netflix describes as “a young programmer who has
hopes of creating a best-selling, text-based computer game.” Unsurprisingly, a Choose Your Own Adventure novel he received in his youth serves as his inspiration. Will Poulter also stars as Colin, Craig Parkinson as Peter, Asim Chaudhry as Tucker and Alice Lowe plays Dr. Haynes.

David Slade served as the director and Russell McLean as the producer while Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones executive produced. It took 35 days to film Bandersnatch, although only an hour and a half or so is required to complete the default path.

Bandersnatch was dubbed in 10 languages, and it offers subtitles in 28.

Critically, the innovative five-hour flick has performed admirably thus far, currently holding a 77 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

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