Say it ain't so! We had a feeling that the day would eventually come, but we were hoping it never would. Netflix is reportedly set to pull one of Black Mirror’s darkest and most unforgettable episodes from its library, and we're left reeling from the news.
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, the groundbreaking interactive film that allowed viewers to choose their own path through a dark and twisted narrative, is about to disappear from the streaming platform, and with it, one of the most unique viewing experiences ever created. According to Variety, the beloved interactive special will depart the streamer on Monday, May 12, 2025. The only other remaining interactive special on the platform, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs the Reverend, will be leaving on this date as well.
May 12 is right around the corner, so if you haven’t experienced Black Mirror: Bandersnatch or revisited its many twists and turns, now is the time. Once it's gone, it's gone. The same applies to Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs the Reverend!
The reason for these removals is believed to be part of a broader shift in strategy. As Netflix leans more into gaming, interactive TV experiences like Bandersnatch and Kimmy vs the Reverend no longer align with its evolving focus on gaming content and technology. In a November 2024 interview with The Verge, a Netflix rep essentially told the outlet that the interactive technology achieved what it was intended to do but has now become limiting, as the company focuses its technological efforts on other areas.
These removals do not come as a surprise as all of the other 22 Netflix interactive specials were removed earlier on. We were just hoping that Bandersnatch would remain a bit longer, given its significant impact on the streaming landscape. Unfortunately, that's not the case, and with its and Kimmy vs the Reverend's departure, Netflix marks the end of an era for interactive storytelling.
Written by Charlie Brooker, Bandersnatch debuted on Netflix back in December 2018. The interactive special is part of the hit Black Mirror anthology series. It stars Fionn Whitehead as Stefan Butler, a young programmer caught in a maze of choices and consequences as he attempts to adapt a dark fantasy novel into a video game. Joining him in the cast are Craig Parkinson, Alice Lowe, Asim Chaudhry, Will Poulter, and many others.
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch is set to leave Netflix on May 12. Don't forget to stream it while you still can!