Black Mirror’s AI Love Story Will SHOCK You!

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[This story contains spoilers from Black Mirror season seven’s “Hotel Reverie.”]

In the most recent season of Black Mirror, creative minds Charlie Brooker and Jessica Rhoades take us on a journey exploring both Hollywood’s past and possible future, as well as delving into the depths of the Black Mirror series itself.

In this movie, Issa Rae, Emma Corrin, Awkwafina, and Harriet Walter take on leading roles. The story is set in a future where actors’ minds can be used to create their digital counterparts for films. Brandy Friday (Rae) finds herself in this situation, working alongside an AI version of the late actress Dorothy Chambers (Corrin), who portrays Clara, Brandy’s love interest and a visually striking character.

AI plays a role in the seventh season’s plot, which bears a resemblance to last season’s “Joan is Awful,” but the director Haolu Wang points out that “Hotel Reverie” deliberately recalls the beloved “San Junipero” from season three. In conversations leading up to the episode, they discussed how much the Emmy-winning season three story influenced this new romantic tale. There’s even a subtle nod at the end for those who catch it in the final scene.

In the recently digitalized queer love tale, Rae’s character, Brandy, yearns to escape the stereotypical roles Hollywood has assigned her. When her manager shares that the studio behind the 1940s classic film Hotel Reverie is remaking it, Brandy ignores the fact that the main role is male and instead proposes herself for a contemporary interpretation of romantic hero Dr. Alex Palmer.

Brandy views the gender-bent character as a chance to challenge industry gatekeepers, whereas Hotel Reverie’s Keyworth Studios, managed by Walter’s Judith Keyworth, is searching for a solution to overcome its financial struggles and decreasing market appeal. For Awkwafina’s Kimmy, who leads Redream, the opportunity with Hotel Reverie allows her AI company to establish itself in Hollywood by collaborating with one of the oldest and most respected film studios.

However, following Brandy’s consciousness shift into the AI world of the movie, an unexpected issue arises, causing the Redream team, stationed in their control room with Brandy’s physical body, to lose connection with their star. This leaves them stranded alongside a fellow actor (secretly closeted) who is progressively developing self-awareness. Throughout this predicament, Brandy continues to challenge both Hollywood and AI norms as she embarks on a passionate romance with Clara, a journey that proves difficult to forget once they are eventually retrieved from the AI film back online.

Hotel Reverie serves as a dual examination of the risks associated with employing AI on humans, as well as the possibility of self-discovery when one breaks free from the system and loses grip. According to Wang, it’s the unpredictable elements – the parts that haven’t been scripted or anticipated – that truly stir emotions in individuals. I hope that viewers will find in the narrative what moves them deeply, the aspects hidden from the control room’s view.

Prior to the premiere of “Black Mirror” season seven, an interview was conducted by The Hollywood Reporter with Wang, Rae, and Awkwafina regarding their work on “Hotel Reverie”. They discussed the influence of AI on both stories and performers, as well as relevant societal commentary, and filming a love story between two women using the style of a classic black-and-white Hollywood movie.

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The Pop Culture References of “Hotel Reverie” Help Deliver Yet Another Uncannily Meta ‘Black Mirror’ 

The Netflix show, “Black Mirror,” is renowned for its uncannily prescient allusions. For instance, the episode titled “Hotel Reverie” subtly acknowledges THR, while featuring big-name celebrities such as Chris Hemsworth, Timothée Chalamet, Donald Glover and both “the Ryans” (Gosling and Reynolds). This Hollywood-centric narrative, where characters test the boundaries of the film industry’s creative potential, transforms into a demonstration of how truly self-referential “Black Mirror” can be.

The ideas for all the references were by Jessica Rhoades and Charlie Brooker, who wrote the episode. However, I came up with the idea to transition from the Ryan line to a real Ryan Gosling poster, which I thought would be amusing and highly relevant, given that Black Mirror excels in its contemporary relevance. We debated using Ryan Gosling for a while to see if we could secure him, and in the end, we decided it was worth the humor Black Mirror is known for. Fortunately, as usual, Jessica worked her magic, allowing us to obtain clearance for it. Since it’s meta, the more contemporary it is, the better. It’s also amusing that Emma recently appeared with Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool and Issa Rae is set to appear with Ryan Gosling in Barbie.

ISSA RAE Charlie Brooker’s brilliance shines through with the character of Brandy, who I found myself identifying with deeply. I empathized with her, saw her struggles, and rooted for her success. I could comprehend – despite this being an extraordinary undertaking – why she made the choices she did. This was because it also stemmed from a desire to assert control over her own decisions and to seize opportunities.

AWKWAFINA Playing this neurotic director character was entertaining, especially when things are chaotic and I’m yelling while snapping a pen. It was my small tribute to everyone who’s been in that position before. (Laughs) As an actor, it’s enjoyable just to say “action,” because you rarely get that kind of authority. Working with Haolu was great. I believe she’s a remarkable storyteller, and her dedication to detail and understanding of these characters were incredibly well-developed.

PARAPHRASE I found it incredibly thrilling to cast Issa Rae in this part, and working with Awkwafina alongside the Ryans was nothing short of laugh-out-loud funny. It was a pleasure collaborating with her; she’s an exceptional talent who made an excellent comedic pairing with Harriet Walter. Their characters symbolize both the future and the past, much like Issa’s and Emma’s respective roles.

“Hotel Reverie” Calls Back to “San Junipero,” This Time With a Queer Love Story That Straddles a Modern Day AI Film Set and a 1940s Noir Film

Romances set in virtual realms such as “San Junipero” and “Hotel Reverie”, featuring leading queer women, offer opportunities for self-discovery and love beyond the boundaries of our physical world. They both conclude with poignantly sweet romantic notes, yet the storyline of “Hotel Reverie” revolves around the concept of real and artificial systems capable of defining identities and limitations, and the consequences when such control is lost.

In stories like “San Junipero” and “Hotel Reverie”, queer women find love and self in digital worlds. While they both have sad-yet-sweet endings, “Hotel Reverie” explores the power of systems to shape our identities and actions, and what happens when those systems lose control over us.

As a gamer, I always find it crucial that the romantic connection in games feels authentic yet surreal. The narrative primarily revolves around two characters establishing a genuine bond while navigating an entirely fabricated environment. This juxtaposition is thought-provoking and emotional since it explores a modern individual and a character from the past, both constrained in unique ways who may never have crossed paths otherwise. They encounter each other in similar predicaments, discovering they can be their true selves for the first time with one another, albeit in a confined space. It’s as if they’re floating on the moon, oblivious to external control, embarking on a romantic mission amidst the chaos of a NASA-like mission. That’s what Charlie and I often discussed. It’s like observing two lunar explorers who are subjected to various constraints but lost in the cosmos, exploring their romantic journey.

The irony and cleverness of the AI movie crew lies in their constant desire for control, yet they fail to grasp that the story unfolds exactly about their progressive loss of control. What makes the emotional peak when Brandy and Clara truly connect eludes them entirely because they’re not privy to it. This disconnection is what I hope resonates with the audience—that moment when AI technology malfunctions, breaks down, and time speeds by, leaving them isolated in their world. The piano that Clara plays offers a glimpse into her deepest emotions, which Brandy comes to recognize as a sign of Clara’s soul. It’s during this emotional connection that I believe the bond between Brandy and Clara becomes truly authentic, as Brandy learns to see Clara as a being with a soul, and in turn, feels vulnerable with her.

What makes it distinctly human seems to be the crux of AI’s conundrum. In my view, the narrative underscores that AI lacks the ability to generate such spontaneity, as what truly stirs us is often unforeseen and unfamiliar. Essentially, this tale serves as a reflection on self-discovery, emphasizing that if we seek to unearth something new, we must relinquish control over the process.

As a gamer, I grapple with the poignant truth that my deep affection for this entity – one who exists only due to an accident – is now lost. The magic we shared can’t be replicated in its original form, leading me to question if it was truly real. Who else can comprehend such a unique bond? I find myself overwhelmed by the melancholy of having experienced a profound love that defies explanation. Yet, there’s also a sense of foolishness attached, as if I should feel embarrassed about my feelings despite this undeniable connection. Alas, there’s no tangible aspect to our relationship, and I can’t confide in anyone about it. Can I casually tell my friend, “Hey, just chatting with my retro AI sweetheart”? (Laughs)

In the imaginative tale, we yearn to believe that the characters could converse endlessly. However, Clara is merely a creation by Kimmy, which brings a tinge of sadness. Yet, there’s a flicker of hope and lingering longing that resonates with viewers, emphasizing the significance of connection. This profound link is what remains etched in our memory, something that will persist despite the impossibility of ever truly having our beloved again. The narrative concludes in a bittersweet manner, not entirely tragic but evoking a specific emotion – longing. The aim is to instill this feeling in the audience, underscoring the enduring impact of connection.

A Story of Love and Longing With an Appreciation for (But Willingness to Defy) Historical Limitations of Filmmaking 

In my gaming world, “Hotel Reverie” is a captivating, monochrome movie set in contemporary times. To make it authentic yet relatable to both the ’40s and now, the creative team had to be clever with their storytelling. They populated the narrative with characters like myself, a white woman studio head, an Asian director lady, and a Black queer actress who shares the limelight with her white queer (and AI) counterpart. These characters might not have been the leads or even allowed to star in such roles back then. To reflect this, the team used a variety of techniques, from the episode’s lighting schemes and costuming choices to the innovative cinematography they employed.

In our project, our talented Director of Photography, Philipp Haberlandt, has been exceptional, and we’ve conducted numerous camera tests. We compared various lenses against different complexions, with one resembling Emma’s skin tone and another matching Issa’s. Given that Issa is the leading character in this AI-generated film, we aim to portray her as glamorous. The broadcast of this production is scheduled for today, so we need to illuminate Issa just as Gregory Peck was lit in the past to create a similar glamorous effect. This was our thought process behind it.

In our production, we chose to embrace the chosen concept, followed by numerous costume trials using various fabrics to ensure our lead character always felt pivotal. The lighting would create a charming, 1940s-inspired bounce, a detail my Director of Photography might better explain. We opted for soft velvet or experimented with different silks on the camera lenses, similar to those used during the filming of The Godfather. Vintage lenses were employed, as they possess the ability to minimize imperfections, a characteristic that was more prevalent in shots and close-ups during that era. To maintain this vintage charm, we adhered to the rules that made those shots and close-ups appear more glamorous than contemporary ones. Our ultimate goal is for both cast members to feel as if they’re starring in a luxurious 1940s film entitled Hotel Reverie. This production is categorized as a romance noir film, with the embedded film within the film serving as evidence. We drew inspiration from films such as Casablanca, Rebecca, and Notorious, focusing on their noir aspects and lighting techniques.

A pivotal sequence involves the stocking scene, which carries a significantly different impact if the characters were male and female, considering Dorothy’s sexual orientation. It’s quite trivial, but it adds an amusing layer to the production as we had to shoot alternately on set with the original Dr. Palmer. The male actor would step in after Issa, and due to the change in dynamics when two women are involved, the scene naturally evolves differently. Although the dialogue remains unchanged, the way Brandy and Clara dance around their feelings, longings, and respond to each other’s bodies and touches creates a unique atmosphere. The sensitive moments between them are given space for exploration, allowing us to capture the organic build-up of tension that feels authentic.

This film is a classic, but it subtly strays from tradition by exploring themes beyond its original framework. It’s a departure from the ordinary, yet it retains an organic and natural feel. Both Brandy and Clara are discovering their feelings simultaneously. For instance, the initial moment when Clara touches Brandy’s hand carries significant weight. The scene is carefully controlled until a genuine moment occurs, which opens up new possibilities and causes Brandy to reconsider her perspective. This revelation helps Brandy gain insight into herself.

As a gamer immersed in this cinematic journey, I found myself witnessing a unique twist: my on-screen counterpart is portrayed by a woman. To maintain authenticity within the ’40s storyline, our dialogue and mannerisms were styled accordingly, yet there was an undeniable electric tension between us that felt like we were exchanging secret glances. We dared to push boundaries, adding a touch of rebellion amidst a rigid structure – a clandestine romance in confinement. The passion was palpable, a challenge against the rules within this tightly wound setting.

When the storyline shattered, the language and visuals transformed. The modern feel of the audio and camera work brought the characters to life. We started using steadicam, adding handheld shots in a ’40s film set, which felt audacious given the strict rules established earlier. It was as if we had the freedom to dance around static characters, capturing the essence of falling in love – where it feels like time itself has stood still, leaving only the two of us entwined in our own world.

There’s a Love Story at Its Center, But the Episode Doubles as a Look at the Impact of Using AI on People — Similar to “Joan Is Awful” 

Whereas ‘Joan is Awful’ delves into the frightening aspects of AI as described by Wang, ‘Hotel Reverie’ presents a perspective on the potential consequences when individuals with noble intentions agree to its application, despite the very tangible risks involved. Building upon the themes from ‘Joan is Awful’, this installment provokes discussion about the true price we may pay for using a technology that Wang asserts isn’t inherently biased, but can be influenced by those who utilize it.

In the film “Joan is Awful,” the character seems to be passively caught up in a powerful situation without much control, while in contrast, “Hotel Reverie” presents a deliberate and non-destructive narrative where no harm or death is intended to anyone.

In the television show “Joan is Awful,” the dark and unsettling aspects of it are revealed. This program creates a sense that such events could actually occur in real life. Now, considering Hollywood’s trend of rebooting and franchising, one might ponder if some people would consider remaking films using studio archives and casting new actors, wondering if this is a possibility. However, I hope that the emotional weight and tragedy portrayed in the episode will make viewers understand that this isn’t merely a toy for experimentation with technology.

As a passionate gamer, I find myself empathizing with Brandy in this scenario. It’s not just about being stuck in a game, it’s about survival. The creators didn’t seem to consider the potential life-threatening implications of her character’s role, which is mind-boggling. This reflects a disturbing industry norm that often treats actors as interchangeable parts. Ultimately, it boils down to power dynamics and motivations. No matter how advanced technology gets, it can never replicate the human essence that we crave on screen. We yearn for connection, for authenticity, and no amount of programming can fake that genuine experience.

In essence, the AI-focused episode explores the experiences of characters currently grappling with this reality, and ponders whether such a situation could occur for an actor portraying a role. It raises questions about the psychological and emotional impact on someone who has been ‘living’ a part for two hours straight. The character Brandy yearns to maintain a connection or longing, but her limitations are absolute. The more convincing it seems that Clara is present, the more we understand that she isn’t. This raises a poignant question: if we were to apply this technology to real people, especially actors, what would be the consequences?

AWKWAFINA Given its novelty, I find the unknown aspects of this technology rather intimidating. It’s hard to predict if it will be as simple as Google or something more complex that could potentially dominate everything. My approach is to consider how we can make it beneficial for us. How can it streamline our lives without creating new hurdles? We don’t want technology to control us, but rather use it to increase efficiency. Considering the recent developments in Hollywood, we should exercise caution regarding its potential impact. I can’t envision AI having real-world implications without human intervention, so existing problems might persist even with AI. Essentially, AI is just a tool for human creativity, and it’s like standing at the edge of a river that carries many existing fears from an imperfect world and system.

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Hotel Reverie is currently broadcasting all the episodes from Black Mirror’s seventh season on Netflix. Check out THR’s review of the “USS Callister” follow-up and explore our ratings for every episode, even those in season seven.

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2025-04-15 23:55