Shut Up and Dance

The first two episodes on Netflix were a little shakey but this one is just great. It actually uses all the tropes of a thriller in a hitchcockian way and does it without you even noticing until after the credits are rolling. Masterful writing, excellent direction and great actors make this one of the best Black Mirror episodes of all seasons.

And this is not the first time Black Mirror has done that. There are a lot of shows out there that can create good tension, but Black Mirror is the only show that can evoke pure discomfort in me, probably due to its realism, amazingly convincing acting and because they're all stand-alone episodes. Knowing that the story that is unfolding right in front of your eyes has the conclusion waiting just a couple of minutes away is what makes it even more gripping, because it creates very little time for the viewer to speculate about how things might escalate.

About two thirds into the episode is when I hit the point where I uncontrollably started smiling like a madman. The execution of the absolutely horrifying situation and decision making that the two main characters had to experience was just perfect. I had to resort to grinning just to make sure I was still me and not them, I suppose.

Unfortunately, I got lost on the big reveal the first time around. Actually, I didn't think it was a reveal at all, but more of a misunderstanding. But with Black Mirror, there's always something enjoyable about not fully grasping the twist and the story's subtle hints right away. When you re-watch moments of episodes like this one, you'll notice a lot of details in dialogues and actions that really makes you feel dumb for not picking them up instantly.

Black Mirror (4.5 out of 5 stars).

Shut Up and Dance Episode 3.03

Shut Up and Dance is a dark, twisted, and thrilling that takes the episode into a different direction in Black Mirror. The episode follows a couple of characters Kenny a teenager which his computer camera caught him in a act which some unknown person is messaging him and blackmailing him to do horrific acts. Hector is a character who is secretly having an affair and some unknown person is messaging him to do acts unless he wants his secret exposed to his wife.

The plot is intense. It is horrifying because it can be relatable to real world situations with people computers being hacked and the camera can catch anything. And the person can blackmail another for their own personal gain. It is sad but true. Seeing Kenny and Hector panicked and nervous is emotionally scary and sad. There is a twist that can make you feel unease and disturbed. Without giving away much details. Alex Lawther was great playing Kenny. Jerome Flynn playing Hector was good too. They worked great on screen together.

The story and concept is creepy and scary with the idea of a person being blackmailed and forced to do stuff that can break the law.

Can't say that this is the best episode of Black Mirror beacuse i've only reached this far, but from here backwards, it's the absolute best by tons.

No sci-fi needed to make a perfect story that actually anybody with our current technology can be victim of. I say no further, just watch it, enjoy it, thrill for 50 minutes and be mindblown!

When the show begins, a teenage boy foolishly believes a pop-up on his computer when it tells him he has malware on his computer. He then installs something to supposedly fix it...but it actually implants a program on his computer activating his built-in camera. Now, unknown others are watching him as he goes through the internet.

Soon, he begins receiving threatening messages on his computer. Apparently they could see him masturbating to photos on the web. They blackmail him to give them his phone number...and then the demands start coming. Soon, the boy is doing all sorts of things...that become more and more and more insane and dangerous as the show progresses. How bad is it and why he continues to comply are things you'll have to see for yourself.

Unlike most of the other episodes I've seen on "Black Mirror", the technology to do what they did to the teen DOES exist today and the story is not sci-fi...they could easily do everything you see. Well written and obviously by a person who actually understands technology.