Parents' Guide to

Black Mirror

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

British sci-fi series is violent and thought-provoking.

Black Mirror Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

age 16+

Based on 29 parent reviews

age 18+

Great Show Overall but...

Each episode is a stand alone story and thus each episode needs to have its own rating. If I and my wife had started the show on Like Season 4 Episode 1 - Callister the one where the story is based on a video game that’s a parade of Star Trek the Original Series I think my wife would have loved the show and kept watching it with me. I would give that episode an age 13+ Rating. Unfortunately we started in Season 1 Episode 1 - The National Anthem and that episode I would have a 17+ age rating with a Hard R. That episode features bestiality and not only shows it but lingers on it for a very long uncomfortable period of time. As disturbed as I was I understood and liked the premise of the story but it totally ruined the whole show for my wife. We’re both Christians and my wife is much better at eliminating poisoning content then I am. Although there are several other episodes that are equally as disturbing and poisoning there are many more that are amazing stories that really made me think. Which is what I love about a tv show. I’m glad I didn’t miss those episodes. I will never watch the first episode again. It had truly scarring images and I’m surprised I saw it on any platform. So it’s really a mix bag here. There are a few (out of many) episodes I think my kids And my wife would love but I don’t think they’ll ever get to watch them.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
1 person found this helpful.
age 15+

A solid review that informs you about this show

This is overall a great show and in my opinion if your children have probably seen or heard worse in school than what'd they could see in this show, that being said there are some milder/ less tense episodes than some of them altogether. Below i'll put some of my recommendations on what are the best episodes/ have the most lessons in them to watch with your children. 1. fifteen million merits - 16+ - my personal favorite and a story about a future world how the 'lower classes" spend their time riding on exercise bikes to generate energy for the world above. This episode had a great storyline altogether than really made you think "WOW!" at the end. Had some brief porn ads( no nudity) that fit into the storyline and can be easily skipped and brings a great way to disuse that topic with your kids. / some cursing 2. hang the dj - 16+ - goes deep into the whole online dating "app" and teaches your kids about how unmeaningful relationships/sex can really impact your life plus the ending is one of the best in the series - had some sex around the whole dating app and meeting up with random people thing/ nothing to expicit and can be skipped/ language. 3. hated in the nation - 14+ - a story surrounding multiple mysterious deaths and how far the detectives go to find the truth, involves some theories of how a future government would spy on us and other interesting topics in that area. ps. aka the famous bee episode, one of my favorites. contains some dead bodies as well as strong language. 3. U.S.S Callister - 15+ - about a geek in real life who steals others dna and creates his own world where he is the hero. Super cool sci-fi flim and teaches your children about the importance of taking inappropriate photos and also the importance of your dna. mild sexual innuendo and language. 4. white christmas - 16+ - won't say to much about this one but if defiantly worth the watch / contains multiple stories in one. Some sexual innuendo, also has some intense senses that contribute to the storyline, makes you think a lot about the difference between right and wrong I also highly suggest "white bear" for 14+ - no sex just some some mild violence that is all explained at the end and another one that really makes you think what is right and wrong. Hope this helps!!! Most of the black mirror episodes deserve a solid 16+ rating and I highly suggest watching all of them together with mature children, an important note is that the first episode contains bestiality which is not shown but implied and not gloried whatsoever, this episode is done really well and shows another dark side of the internet and how things are not always as they seem. Defiantly up to you as the parent but a really good watch!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (29):
Kids say (63):

This provocative series offers a dark reflection on modern society that invites viewers to look at the world, and their role in it, from a very difficult point of view. The themes, which explore humanity's relationship with (and desire for) technology, are decidedly universal, despite the fact that a large number of the series' stories take place somewhere in the United Kingdom.

It's a well-written and brilliantly produced high-concept show, and while some episodes make their point better than others, all present interesting ideas. Appearances by well-known actors like Rupert Everett, Jessica Brown Findlay, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Jon Hamm add to its appeal. All in all, Black Mirror offers a mature Twilight Zone-like viewing experience that is both entertaining and disturbingly captivating.

TV Details

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