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Black Mirror – Season 1, Episode 2 15 Million Merits

Play trailer Black Mirror – Season 1, Episode 2 15 Million Merits Aired Dec 11, 2011 Sci-Fi Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 15 Reviews
The "Hot Shot" talent show offers the only way to escape a life of physical drudgery; this imagined future reality presents a satirical take on entertainment shows and society's insatiable thirst for distraction.
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Black Mirror — Season 1, Episode 2

Black Mirror — Season 1, Episode 2

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Critics Consensus

Combining the worst aspects of reality shows, talent competitions, and a hunger for fame, "Fifteen Million Merits" effectively shows how anything -- even our humanity -- could be readily exploited.

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Cast & Crew

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Daniel Kaluuya

Bing

Jessica Brown Findlay

Abi

Rupert Everett

Judge Hope

Julia Davis

Judge Charity

Ashley Thomas

Judge Wraith

Paul Popplewell

Dustin
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Black Mirror — Season 1, Episode 2

Black Mirror Black Mirror View more photos

Critics Reviews

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Charles Bramesco New York Magazine/Vulture Oct 2, 2018
Brooker puts the carnivorous culture of reality TV on trial in this diabolical hour, set in a world where lower-caste citizens pedal stationary bikes to power their surroundings and earn meager currency. Go to Full Review David Sims AV Club Sep 5, 2018
A
[It's] a dazzling piece of science fiction that builds its world out slowly but perfectly over the course of an hour-and packs an emotional wallop along with the "15 minutes into the future" warning you already expect. Go to Full Review Sam Richards Daily Telegraph (UK) Aug 15, 2018
4/5
[Black Mirror] expertly lassoed a whole range of targets, from craven politicians to sensationalist news outlets to the glib creators of shock art... [It] was a more conventional dystopian sci-fi fantasy, incorporating a caustic satire on TV talent shows. Go to Full Review Miles Surrey The Ringer Jul 18, 2023
“Fifteen Million Merits” is mostly remembered for Bing’s epic speech—which helped put Kaluuya on Jordan Peele’s radar—but it’s always worth revisiting as we continue to get sucked into our own digital lives. Go to Full Review Samantha Olthof Film School Rejects Jun 10, 2019
Black Mirror has never been one to shy away from an unsettling ending. Go to Full Review Jacob Hall Slashfilm Dec 4, 2018
"Fifteen Million Merits," the first great episode of Black Mirror, takes the world of YouTube and mobile gaming and pushes it to hellish extremes. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Episode Info

Synopsis The "Hot Shot" talent show offers the only way to escape a life of physical drudgery; this imagined future reality presents a satirical take on entertainment shows and society's insatiable thirst for distraction.
Executive Producer
Annabel Jones, Charlie Brooker
Screenwriter
Charlie Brooker
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Sci-Fi, Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Dec 11, 2011
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