Bandersnatch

Netflix is calling Bandersnatch an "interactive movie," however, it's difficult to not associate it with video games like Telltale's The Walking Dead, or Quantic Dream's Detroit Become Human. While the characters in games are digital avatars, the story-driven dynamic in Bandersnatch is the same - every decision you make creates new possibilities for your character that will determine how his or her story unfolds, eventually leading to a variety of endings. Each unique outcome depends on pivotal decisions you make throughout the story.

If you're not an experienced gamer, don't worry - Netflix does a solid job of explaining how the experience works. Before Bandersnatch begins, you're given a brief tutorial on what to do using your remote, game controller, or touchscreen, depending on which device you're on. Once you get the hang of it, it's all very self explanatory. Whenever you're about to make a decision that affects the narrative, there's a "time bar" that appears at the bottom of the screen. You're given approximately 10 seconds to make a choice. If you freeze up and don't know which option to pick, one will be chosen for you. While the short amount of time allotted can be frustrating, the streaming provider wisely includes a feature that allows you to go back and make a different choice.

The decision-making system Netflix has implemented is smooth and undisruptive (depending on the speed and reliability of your internet connection). While your streaming fidelity may vary from mine, overall, the experience should be seamless during the transitions between selecting a response, and the time it takes to jump to the following scene. The interactive approach is also a great way to add tension. While some decisions involve simple tasks like choosing between two kinds of cereal, others have more severe consequences, like how you treat a loved one during a stressful situation. Even if you don't see the importance of picking Frosted Flakes over another brand for your morning sustenance, don't forget, this is an IF game and every descion matters.

In my opinion Bandersnatch is unique because it real people and you bascially narrate your own movie with different outcomes.  

Unlike my past blogs, where I would provide a screen cast to this movie/game, it is not able to be done. However, if you would like to experience this work for yourself I have provided and link to Netflix, where you can access the unique work. 

Netflix