Is black mirror scary?

[mayaknew]

I've never watched it because Im a wimp and I hate scary/thriller stuff.

But I love futuristic dystopian type tv/books so I think I would like black mirror as long as it's not scary.

I can’t handle huge gore & intense thrillers but LOVE black mirror, so it must be fine! Each episode is completely different so even if you found one too much, the others would be fine ifswim.

It’s more disturbing than scary. I find some of the episodes a little too uncomfortable, but some of the plot lines have stayed with me since I saw them. I’m psyching myself up for the new series.

Well it might be if you watch nothing but Disney maybe.

But no, it’s very well done with a brilliantly placed line between reality and fiction.

It varies a lot between episodes. Each episode is stand-alone so you can skip some.
If you don't like gore then I'd avoid Metalhead.

The following are probably the least scary episodes in each series, so maybe watch these first:
San Junipero (S3 E4)
Hang the DJ (S4 E4) - not scary but quite sexually graphic
Fifteen Million Merits (S1 E2)
The Waldo Moment (S2 E3)

I would say that they are disturbing rather than horror/gory. Some of the episodes I've watched have stayed with me because of the themes and how they made me feel.

I can't stand gore/horror and love Black Mirror. It is more disturbing than horror I think as it is so close to how life is, just slightly exaggerated/removed from reality. White Bear and White Christmas are my favourites but both stayed with me for days afterwards. I couldn't get them out of my head.

Don't watch "Metalhead"!!!

It does have some scary scenes even though that isn't the point of it. And some very disturbing subject material, particularly thinking of crocodile and Black museum in The latest series. But some episodes aren't scary. It is interesting but not for everyone.

I'd avoid Crocodile, Metalhead and Playtest. First two of those are quite gory and the last one does have some small jump scares and lots of horror movie tropes etc. Can't say much without giving it away. Maybe the last episode of series 4 (Black Museum) as it's rated an 18 unlike the others which are 15 (I think). But by the time you get to that you'll be fine.

Most of them are psychologically disturbing more than anything. But in the way that dystopian stories are. Out of series 4 I'd say USS Callister and Hang the DJ are ok for you. Nosedive definitely, San Junipero is wonderful. Series 1 and 2 are all fine horror wise,

I don't like horror films with jump scares or anything with gore. (Gore mainly because I find it too try hard rather than scary.) But I like most of Black Mirror. Honestly, it's not how you'd imagine, give it go.

I wouldn't bother with the first episode of the first series until you watch some of the others. It put me right off it for months before I went back to it. Not for horror or gore reasons but...well, you'll see.

^should say, they're all worth watching as opinions and reactions will obviously differ between person to person. It's that kind of thing. So when I said 'avoid' I just mean I would leave them until you've watched others as they're probably the worst in terms of horror and gore.

I agree with @enidbutton in that you should skip the first episode of series 1, especially initially.

I like that every episode can be watched in any order because there's no continuity.

I would agree with the above in that it's not a scary/horror series but there are some disturbing episodes but for me it's because the storylines are so close to being real... worth watching for sure!

I think disturbing may be what I meant when I said scary.

What are the most disturbing episodes then I'll avoid...

Metalhead
Crocodile
Playtest

Any others?

The national anthem (first episode of first season as mentioned). Brilliant episode but proper 'ah FOR FUCKS SAKE WHAT AM I WATCHING THIS FOR' yet not being able to stop because you have to find out what happens.

OP I’m a massive wimp & have cried watching a horror film before (cab I blame
hormones!?) but I love Black Mirror and don’t think you should avoid any episodes, you’ll be fine, honest!

I agree that it's disturbing. There is one episode I just can't watch. It is the best thing on television ever though.

I'm pretty tough when it comes to horror and scary things and I Love dystopian type things but White Bear absolutely horrified me, I couldn't stop thinking about it for a few days afterwards.

Good grief just watch one to get the feel of the thing and decide if you want to watch anymore.

Try one million merits first for eg. They are all disturbing in their own way but that’s just because you can imagine them happening for real.

I found white bear quite disturbing but worth a watch, I watched arkangel this week and didn't think much of it, quite a tame one to start with if not a little boring

Depends what you mean by 'disturbing' then.

They all are in a way. It's kind of how dystopian films and novels are though aren't they?

Psychologically disturbing - National Anthem, White Bear, White Christmas, Shut Up and Dance

Gore/scares - White Bear (again), Playtest, Men Against Fire, Crocodile, Metalhead (which is black & white, so the gore is muted a quite a bit), Black Museum

All to varying degrees. The only one that made me anxious (as someone who theoretically enjoys horror but can’t cope with jump scares) was Playtest, and the one that most made me go 'WHAT did I just watch?!' was National Anthem (and then I watched the rest of S1 followed by 2 and 3).

Black Mirror is fucking excellent.

I love it. Although somebody was telling me that the third in series four is very depressing and bleak (they all kind of are) but it's a fine line between fascination and depression that the programme treads.