Black Mirror’s latest offering “Bandersnatch” is all about the illusion of choice – not only for sad Stefan Butler (Fionn Whitehead), but also for us, the stressed-out viewers. For those who have been living under a rock, the interactive film lets viewers make decisions for protagonist Stefan which then determine the plot of the story: ‘Sugar Puffs’ vs ‘Frosties’, ‘karate chop dad’ vs ‘kick him in the balls’... you get the idea.
But, no matter how many times you play, you can’t change the doomed protagonist’s fate. We might think we’re in control, but – obviously – the film is already made, so no matter what options we choose, the ending is written. And it was written by Charlie Brooker, so you know it can’t end well.
Sadly, for those of us who told Stefan to take the straight-and-narrow path – take your medicine, don’t kill your dad – the game is doomed to fail anyway. That is, until now. Thanks to a YouTube account called Kundel Bury, we can finally see what might have happened if we could have given precious Stefan the life he deserves.
Watch above, and allow yourself to feel joy again.