As a seasoned horror enthusiast who has braved countless terrifying tales and chilling experiences, I must confess that “Playtest” from Black Mirror left me absolutely petrified. Now, let me assure you, I’ve faced my fair share of spiders, from the hairy eight-leggers in my backyard to the creepy crawlies in dark corners, but none compare to the gargantuan arachnid in this episode.
I’ve been playing video games for as far back as I can remember.
Without a doubt, Tetris helped me master problem-solving skills, while Dragon Warrior (A Slime Draws Near! Command?) was instrumental in my journey towards reading proficiency. Therefore, video games have a special place in my heart, and I appreciate them as genuine art forms. I’m even willing to stand up for the not-so-great ones.
For me, “Playtest,” one of the standout episodes from the acclaimed show “Black Mirror,” strikes a deep chord. While some might consider other episodes as scary, “Playtest” is particularly unsettling for me, and I can pinpoint five reasons behind this fear.
Just a heads up, there might be some spoilers for the fantastic episode you haven’t seen yet. Proceed with caution!
Augmented Reality Is Very Much A Thing We Have RIGHT NOW, And I Could Envision Everything In This Episode Happening One Day
Does the name “Pokemon GO” ring a bell? Yes, it’s still available, but at one point, it seemed as if it was the most significant phenomenon globally.
One could say that in various locations, individuals were seen making an effort to capture unique Pokémon characters in unexpected settings.
For instance, instead of venturing inside libraries (Oh, the horror!), people were often found gathering outside places like libraries, zoos, and cemeteries, engrossed in their smartphones, trying to capture digital creatures which could only be viewed on their screens.
The game called “Pokemon GO” is an excellent demonstration of an Augmented Reality (AR) title, and it was among the initial ones to create a HUGE impact on a worldwide scale. In other words, AR tech has already become part of our lives. Interestingly, “Playtest,” one of the episodes from the series “Black Mirror,” seemed to be chasing reality. This is because Pokemon GO launched in July 2016, and “Playtest” was aired a few months later in October of the same year.
In this episode, there’s an advanced technology piece referred to as a “mushroom.” This device is inserted at the back of the main character, Wyatt Russell’s, neck. Its purpose is to directly link with his brain, enhancing the fear elements in his “playtest” by making them more tailored and personal.
However, I have a sense that we might be on the verge of something similar, and this idea both thrills and worries me when considering its potential outcomes. Let me elaborate on this further in the upcoming discussion.
I Could Only Imagine A Horror Game That Targeted Your Actual Fears
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I am absolutely terrified of centipedes. When I was younger, I used to share a bed with my older sister, and one morning, I found her face-to-face with me. But, what I saw when I woke up didn’t make any sense.
Her tongue darted back and forth rapidly between her tightly sealed lips, a scene that initially seemed surreal to my semi-awake consciousness. However, as my sister’s mouth parted, her tongue leaped out and scuttled across the mattress, adding a new layer of confusion to my dreamy state.
Surprised and yelling, I leaped onto the bed, then understood it wasn’t her tongue that brushed against the sheets. Instead, it seemed to be a centipede which likely crept into her mouth during sleep, becoming stuck inside.
So, as I’m sure you could imagine, I’ve had a deeply rooted fear of centipedes ever since.
Speaking of “Black Mirror”, the episode titled “Playtest” sees Wyatt Russell’s character immersed within a mansion reminiscent of those seen in “Resident Evil” films. Over time, his most profound anxieties start surfacing.
Initially, the creature is quite small, but later, it becomes remarkably large – watch out for that detail. In due course, his long-standing tormentor resurfaces, along with other apprehensions he harbors deep within.
I can’t help but shudder at the thought of stumbling upon a room filled with centipedes, or even worse, an enormous centipede-sized room, in one of those virtual reality horror games. Just imagining it sends chills down my spine, and this experience has me contemplating such terrifying possibilities.
The Spider Scene Legit Gave Me Heart Palpitations
I mentioned earlier how there is a giant spider in this episode, and I’m not lying. There is a GIANT FREAKING SPIDER in this episode (with a freaking face!).
If you have arachnophobia, then I highly advise that you not watch one of my favorite Denis Villeneuve movies, Enemy (trust me on this one), and I would also advise that you not watch the “Playtest” episode of Black Mirror.
Currently, spiders don’t make me uneasy on a personal level. In fact, if I encounter one in my basement, I prefer to let it be as they help control other annoying pests that I dislike. However, the one featured in this episode is an exception due to its overwhelming size.
In my opinion, in this episode, the device delves into characters’ deepest phobias, and for the main character, that fear is arachnids, specifically spiders. Initially, a tiny one scurries up his leg, which is already quite unsettling. Yet, it’s the gigantic one that really gets me each time I watch. It’s downright chilling to even think about it.
Wyatt Russell’s Acting Feels Extremely Genuine
Legacy of Monsters, features Wyatt Russell, a Marvel Cinematic Universe performer who demonstrates exceptional acting skills, a trait likely inherited from his father, Kurt Russell.
It appears that, just like his father, Wyatt Russell is aiming for a career path similar to the one he’s had, with notable roles in horror movies. For instance, his father was in “The Thing,” and Wyatt himself has starred in films such as “Overlord” and “Night Swim.
Essentially, what I’m conveying is that Wyatt Russell demonstrates an exceptional ability to instill fear, and he executes it superbly in this particular episode.
What makes his performance standout is its subtle progression. His character grapples with the loss of his father, leading him to dodge his mother’s phone calls as he struggles to cope with his sorrow.
By the point when he consents to participate in this trial run, he’s already in a highly exposed state. Gradually, yet inevitably, his character starts to unravel and grows increasingly frightened during the episode, leading eventually to his demise, which I’ll discuss further ahead.
The Ending, While Robbing Some Of The Episode’s Impact, Does Give Me Real Fears
It seems that if “Playtest” has any significant flaw, it might be its conclusion, which initially leads us astray before revealing the actual ending.
Prior to embarking on his experiment, our protagonist switches off his phone, then later reactivates it to capture some images. However, this decision proves troublesome as his mother attempts to contact him, causing a disturbance in the signal that ultimately harms him mentally. Earlier, he envisions himself exiting the experiment and dialing his mother, who forgets their relationship.
It transpires that he perished swiftly during the experiment upon receiving his mother’s call, and the finale carries a sense reminiscent of “Jacob’s Ladder,” suggesting that the entire sequence of events was merely a product of his deteriorating mind as he died.
As a gamer, let me tell you straight up, this ending was far from satisfying. Yet, it’s not just about the game; it’s the concept that’s giving me the creeps. The idea of merging our minds with technology feels eerily close to reality, thanks to shows like Total Recall and episodes of Black Mirror. Frankly, I can’t help but worry about where this path may lead us in the future.
Frankly, “Playtest” from Black Mirror terrifies me more than any other episode due to its uncanny ability to make me avoid contemplating it.
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2024-10-16 01:07