Smithereens is an episode from the new Season 5 of Black Mirror on Netflix. It’s one of the most relevant and current episodes of the Sci-Fi Horror series which is what worked for me. Read our Smithereens review here!

The Smithereens episode of Black Mirror is out now with the rest of Season 5. The season overall isn’t the strongest one and part of the reason might be that it hits too close to home.

In the past, most of the episodes took place in the future. A future we could still change and impact – if we wanted to. Smithereens was perhaps the creepiest episode of season 5 in the sense that this could happen right now.

Read more in our Smithereens review below and watch it on Netflix now!

Social Media and Smartphones are part of the present

When Black Mirror hits dangerously close to home, it has a different impact. The plot in Smithereens reminds us of just how addicted we can be to both our smartphones and social media. Not all of us and not all the time, but still…

Sure, you may not be active on social media, but most of us use our smartphones for various small tasks throughout the day. Whether it’s checking something on Google, sending and receiving messages or simply being entertained by YouTube, music or games. 

This alone makes the story in Smithereen very current and relevant. And also, creepier than many other episodes due to its realism.

Finally, the cast is (as always) spot-on and especially the performance from Andrew Scott (Sherlock TV series) and Damson Idris (Snowfall and The Twilight Zone). Topher Grace has a more hipster-like character to work with.

Black Mirror: Smithereens – Review – Netflix – Season 5

Watch the Black Mirror episode Smithereens on Netflix now!

This Black Mirror Season 5 episode was directed by James Hawes who also directed the Season 3 feature-length final episode Hated in the Nation.

Previously, he has directed several episodes of Penny Dreadful and The Alienist and three episodes of the upcoming Snowpiercer TV series.

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. And maybe also the realization that we’re already in too deep.

The Black Mirror episode Smithereens is out on Netflix along with the rest of Season 5 now!

Details

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

Plot

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

I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
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