Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for Black Mirror and American Horror Stories episodes.
Summary
- "Black Mirror" season 7 episode 2 is similar to "American Horror Stories" episode "Bestie."
- Both episodes feature characters who seek friendships in destructive ways, leading to grim conclusions.
- The ending of "Bête Noire" is bleak but campy, contrasting the heartbreaking conclusion of "Bestie."
Black Mirror season 7 arrived on Netflix on April 10th, 2025, and fans didn't waste any time watching the six new episodes. Besides telling new creepy and dark stories about technology causing chaos and destruction in the lives of interesting characters, the new season features the show's first sequel episode: "USS Callister: Into Infinity," which has a brutal ending.
While every episode of Black Mirror is unique and engaging, and often has a thoughtful and sometimes grim conclusion, there is one season 7 story that is perfect for fans of the American Horror Stories episode "Bestie."
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Fans Of The American Horror Stories Episode "Bestie" Will Like Black Mirror Season 7, Episode 2, "Bête Noire"
Black Mirror season 7, episode 2, "Bête Noire," has a lot in common with the popular American Horror Stories season 3, episode 1, "Bestie." They're both stories about characters who spend too much time online, who have a desire to be popular, bully others, and seek friendship and loyalty. These episodes also feature powerful villains who manipulate and control others while appearing likable and charming.
The Black Mirror season 7 episode "Bête Noire" follows Ditta food company R&D employee Maria (Siena Kelly) whose former high school classmate Verity (Rosy McEwan) gets a job in her department. Maria is immediately upset because everyone made fun of Verity back in the day, and she doesn't think she has enough experience to work there.
While Maria is more confident than Shelby Brubaker (Emma Halleen), the main character in the American Horror Stories season 3 episode "Bestie," Maria and Shelby are both lost, lonely, and confused. Through her magical pendant, Verity makes Maria think she doesn't know what is real and what's not as facts and words keep changing. Verity is trying to ruin Maria's life, just like Shelby's new online friend Bestie (Jessica Barden) forces her to hurt people to show her loyalty. Both episodes also feature characters who try to get revenge on others, and these storylines are memorable and disturbing as a result.
Ever since the Black Mirror season 7 trailer came out, it was clear that these six episodes would be well-crafted and unnerving. It's interesting to compare Maria, Verity, Shelby, and Bestie. While they all want to make friends, they go about it the wrong way, and it's a disaster. Verity and Bestie are as fascinating as the scariest American Horror Story villains because they make people think that they're kind and innocent and then they reveal their true, dark, controlling natures.
What Did Charlie Brooker Say About Black Mirror Season 7, Episode 2, "Bête Noire"?
Black Mirror showrunner Charlie Brooker talked to Netflix.tudum.com about the ending of "Bête Noire" where Maria has killed Verity and is now the emperor of the universe since she has control of Verity's pendant/magical remote. Brooker said:
“It’s fun to make it look like [Maria’s] absolutely lost everything in the last few moments and then have her triumphantly, phoenix-from-the-flame style, use this device to get out of the problem she’s in. It’s kind of a joke ending, but hopefully it’s slightly absurd.”
While some Black Mirror episodes have happy endings, the conclusion of "Bête Noire" is bleak yet campy. Maria lets her power go to her head as she's the empress of the universe, but it's also a fairly humorous ending. In contrast, Shelby is killed at the end of "Bestie," which is heartbreaking. In both episodes, the main characters find themselves alone and not able to trust anyone, and their quest for popularity ruins their lives.
- Release Date
- December 4, 2011
- Network
- Channel 4, Netflix
- Showrunner
- Charlie Brooker
- Directors
- Owen Harris, Toby Haynes, James Hawes, David Slade, Carl Tibbetts, Ally Pankiw, Bryn Higgins, Dan Trachtenberg, Euros Lyn, Jodie Foster, Joe Wright, John Hillcoat, Sam Miller, Tim Van Patten, Uta Briesewitz, Colm McCarthy, Jakob Verbruggen, James Watkins, John Crowley, Otto Bathurst, Anne Sewitsky, Brian Welsh
- Writers
- Jesse Armstrong
Cast
-
Cristin MiliotiNanette Cole -
Jimmi SimpsonWalton
WHERE TO WATCH
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