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Black Mirror series surprised again — this time with two versions of the episode

The Black Mirror series, known for its disturbing stories about technology and human behavior, surprised us again — this time, not only because of the plot, but also because of the way it presents its episodes.

In the seventh season, recently released on Netflix, it is “Bête Noire” that is generating the greatest wave of bewilderment among fans. And rightly so: there are two different versions of the same episode available on the platform.

“Bête Noire” follows Maria, played by Siena Kelly, a recipe developer at a food company. The initially calm professional atmosphere turns into a nightmare with the return of Verity (Rosy McEwen), a disturbing figure from Maria's past. The drama reaches a new level when Maria begins to realize that Verity seems to alter reality in subtle but consistent ways—and without anyone else noticing.

The episode plunges the viewer into increasing tension as Maria tries to prove that her memories are valid, even when everything around her suggests otherwise. One of the strangest moments of the episode comes when there is a seemingly trivial discussion between the characters: after all, is the name of the restaurant in question “Barnies” or “Bernies”?

This seemingly insignificant detail becomes the center of bewilderment. Maria, convinced that her name is “Barnies,” seeks confirmation online — but the internet provides evidence to the contrary. Doubt sets in both in her and in the viewer.

It didn't take long for fans to discover that they were actually watching different versions of “Bête Noire.” Depending on the device, account or location, some people see the version where the restaurant is called “Barnies” and others where it appears as “Bernies”. This revelation provoked a mixture of confusion and fascination among viewers.

The discovery began to circulate on social media, with users reporting different experiences. One comment on X (formerly Twitter) caught our attention: “My friend and I were watching ‘Bête Noire’ and noticed a glaring difference between our episodes… even the viewers are being manipulated!”

The situation was later confirmed by sources such as Games Radar, which confirmed the existence of multiple versions of the episode. Apparently, Netflix and the series' creators chose not to announce this creative choice, leaving fans to discover it for themselves — which, in practice, replicates the feeling of uncertainty experienced by the protagonist herself.

This type of strategy is not new to the series, but it has rarely been taken to this level of immersion. The most attentive ones remembered that in the third season, in the episode “Shut Up and Dance”, there was already a reference to a restaurant called “Barnies”. Is it a coincidence or a clue left deliberately?

The official accounts for the series and the Netflix platform chose not to clarify the situation. Instead, they have been releasing ambiguous messages, which only deepen the mystery and encourage fans to discuss theories online.

By manipulating not only the plot but also the viewing experience itself, Black Mirror continues to challenge the boundaries of the television format. And you, have you seen “Barnies” or “Bernies”?

mundophone