I wonder, though, where this might lead. With the rich analytics that Netflix holds, might they be able to craft a story around your interests so you don’t have to actively choose your adventure, but your adventure is chosen for you on the basis of what Netflix thinks you like. (That actually sounds like a Black Mirror episode, but you get what I mean).
Alternatively, perhaps this could work differently by letting you choose parameters up front. Would you prefer a film where the protagonist’s love interest was the same gender as your preference? The same race? Again, some potentially big ethical considerations, but taking us towards uber-targeted content maybe?
Everything about the episode is subversive. It’s meta on several levels. You aren’t supposed to be left satisfied by the standard story arc of movie and TV storytelling. That’s part of what makes it so good.
Just like in life, there’s no perfect path. You just make your choices and see where they lead you.
It’s an experience more than it is a story being told. It’s just supposed to make you think.
Maybe. But there seemed to be no big pay off for me. Looping around was fun for a bit, then any potential ending seemed “meh”. So I carried on until I was over 2 hours in and things got very meta and then the credits rolled. I felt like it was lacking a pay off.
Spot on. If it gets you thinking about the decisions you’ve made (even if they’re minor/unspectacular) and about free will in general, then I think the episode has been successful
Jeff Minter is great. He did the visuals for a Warp Records winter party once. Was wandering around the crowd with a wireless GameCube controller. No llamas.
Just watched this for the first time today and due to my choices was fairly lengthy. I noted it down so I could compare to some of the published decision trees after, but it seems most of the trees so far don’t quite fit my choices (mainly surrounding soft endings vs restarts). I deliberately made some of the same choices repeatedly, each time with slightly different outcomes.
For anyone interested, this was (roughly) my path, I may have missed a step or two, hope I didn’t.
Summary
Frosties
Now II
Yes to job
Starts again
No to job
No to talk about mum
Yes to talk about mum
Flashback
Music - Bermuda Triangle
Shout at dad
Follow Colin
Yes to drugs
Colin to jump
Visit Dr Haynes
Pull earlobe
Flush pills
Hit desk
Pick up family photo
Throw tea on computer
Sign
Step back
Sign
Step back
Pac
Pacs 20541
Who’s there
Shape
Back off
Who’s there?
Netflix
Tell him more
Tell him more
Yes
Fight her
Karate chop dad