Black Mirror: Season 5 (4/5) – Netflix Series Review

Black Mirror is out with Season 5 on Netflix now! This time around, we’re only getting 3 episodes in the season. It’s definitely too little and it’s the weakest season so far. However, one of them is pretty damn perfect. Read more in our spoiler-free Black Mirror Season 5 review here!

Black Mirror: Season 5 is out on Netflix now! I feel like we’ve been waiting forever and this new season is a short one with just 3 episodes, but I’m just happy to get something new from the brilliant mind of Charlie Brooker.

However, I have to admit right off the bat, that season 5 is the weakest season of Black Mirror so far. That’s not to say that it’s bad, but we’ve been giving top ratings to Season 3 and Season 4 of Black Mirror and that’s simply not possible here.

We’ve reviewed each of the three episodes as separate movies almost – since that’s what they essentially are. Still, we do also give short reviews of each one in the below full review of Black Mirror Season 5 below.

Black Mirror Season 5 episode “Striking Vipers” (5/5)

The Striking Vipers episode of Black Mirror season 5 is by far the strongest one of the season. This is perfect Black Mirror and everything I could have wished for.

Overall, this is the episode to watch more than once from Season 5 of Black Mirror.

Read our full review of Striking Vipers >

Plot of Striking Vipers:

Two estranged college friends reunite in later life, triggering a series of events that couldalter their lives forever.

Cast: Anthony Mackie, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Nicole Beharie, Ludi Lin, Pom Klementieff
Director: Owen Harris

Black Mirror Season 5 episode “Smithereens” (4/5)

Smithereens was perhaps the creepiest episode of season 5 in the sense that this is when Black Mirror hits dangerously close to home.

I won’t give away too much of Smithereens since you need to go through the motions yourself. However, I will say that this episode might be a wake-up call to some people.

Read our full review of Smithereens >

Plot of Smithereens:

A cab driver with an agenda becomes the centre of attention on a day that rapidly spiralsout of control.

Cast: Damson Idris, Topher Grace, Andrew Scott
Director: James Hawes

Black Mirror Season 5 episode “Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too” (4/5)

Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too is definitely the one episode to also include some humor. It’s not a comedy, but it does include some dark humor along the way. Especially in terms of the pop star (played by Miley Cyrus) and her AI doll. 

Particularly towards the last half, which is already somewhat revealed in the trailer for this episode. Check out this episode to be reminded of just how close we are to living in a Black Mirror world already. In some ways, anyway.

Read our full review of Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too >

Plot of Rachel, jack and Ashley Too: 

A lonely teenager yearns to connect with her favourite pop star – whose charmedexistence isn’t quite as rosy it appears…

Cast: Miley Cyrus, Madison Davenport, Angourie Rice
Director: Anne Sewitsky

Watch Black Mirror Season 5 on Netflix now!

While Black Mirror Season 5 is not the strongest or darkest season of the sci-fi horror series, it is still damn good. To me, two of these episodes felt like they could easily be happening right now (well, almost) and that in itself is actually pretty creepy.

Then again, the best episode for me was definitely Striking Vipers. It has the perfect Black Mirror vibe in both storyline and style. And yet again, it does feel like both a very scary and very intriguing look at the wonders of tech. Much like the San Junipero episode (Season 3, Episode 4) was.

It feels like it’s been forever since we last got a Black Mirror season. Sure, we got the Christmas special in the form of a “choose your own adventure”-movie titled Bandersnatch, but that’s not the same as several different plots. Season 5 of Black Mirror definitely does deliver in that sense.

Hopefully, we won’t have to wait too long before Season 6 of Black Mirror comes out. Or maybe just an additional few episodes to make a Black Mirror season 6 in time for Christmas. Well, a girl can hope!

Season 5 of Black Mirror is out on Netflix worldwide from June 5, 2019.