After a chilling debut episode for Season Seven, Black Mirror follows up with an equally unsettling and psychologically tense entry. Leaning into themes of guilt, manipulation, and revenge, this episode explores how buried traumas and unresolved conflicts can resurface, distorting our perception of truth, justice, and reality itself. 

Plot Overview

“Bête Noire” follows Maria, a research scientist at Ditta who appears to be thriving in both her professional and personal life—that is, until a familiar face reappears at her workplace. Verity, a former schoolmate and once the target of relentless bullying, lands a job at Maria’s company. What begins as an awkward and uncomfortable reunion slowly morphs into something far more sinister. Maria starts noticing discrepancies in her memory—she recalls her boyfriend’s old job being at Barnie’s, only to be told it’s always been Bernie’s; she swears she specified “carrageenan” in an email to Verity, but upon review, the email lacks this detail; and she begins to miss meetings that weren’t on her calendar, leading to her further isolation. Meanwhile, Verity’s presence becomes increasingly unnerving, and subtle manipulations in Maria’s surroundings suggest someone is toying with her—but there’s no concrete proof.

Within the span of a week, Maria is ostracised by her colleagues and branded a pathological liar and a workplace bully, ultimately leading to her dismissal. Desperate for answers, she follows Verity home—only to uncover a shocking truth. Verity, long dismissed as a “computer nerd,” has used her unique expertise to create a computer and portable remote capable of travelling the multiverse, subtly altering reality to sabotage Maria’s life. Just when it seems Maria has lost everything, she manages to kill Verity, steal the remote, and use it to her advantage—rewriting her place as Empress of the Universe.

Themes and Commentary

Throughout the episode, “Bête Noire” offers sharp commentary on the long-term impact of trauma and bullying and how those experiences can shape the trajectory of a person’s life.

The phrase “kids can be cruel” is echoed throughout the episode, referring back to the relentless bullying Verity endured during her school years. While the observation is familiar and often true, it’s also a dangerous oversimplification—one that’s frequently used to justify, minimise, or dismiss deeply harmful behaviour. It’s revealed that while Verity’s classmate Natalie was by far the most aggressive and unforgiving, she wasn’t alone in her cruelty. Maria, though not a ringleader, was complicit—friends with Natalie and too afraid to speak up. She later attempts to justify her actions with a “better them than me” mentality. But this doesn’t hold up. Even before Verity enacts her revenge, Maria’s behaviour towards her reflects echoes of her past self—still trying to control, deflect, and diminish her. So, while “kids can be cruel,” adults can be just as bad—they’re just more articulate in how they excuse it.

Verity’s motivation throughout the episode is driven almost entirely by revenge. With her multiverse-travelling device, she had the power to build a new life and live extraordinary experiences—but she remained anchored to the pain of her past. Haunted by the cruelty she endured, Verity turned her attention to destroying the lives of those who had hurt her, slowly and methodically, until they unravelled completely. While she succeeded in pushing Natalie to suicide, her plan for Maria took a different turn. And though Verity’s thirst for justice may feel emotionally justified, it’s ultimately her obsession with vengeance that leads to her downfall. In trying to reclaim power, she handed it back to the very people who once took it from her.

Easter Eggs and References

Packed with subtle nods and layered details, “Bête Noire” offers several connections to the wider Black Mirror universe, rewarding eagle-eyed, long-term fans: 

• Barnie’s Chicken: When recalling the fast-food restaurant Maria’s boyfriend used to work at, she’s convinced it was called Barnie’s Chicken—the same establishment where Kenny worked in the chilling Season Three episode “Shut Up and Dance.”
• Raiman Almond Milk: The almond milk brand featured in the episode is named “Raiman,” referencing a character from the Season Three episode “Men Against Fire.” The brand also appears in the Season Four episode “USS Callister” and again in its Season Seven sequel, “USS Callister: Into Infinity.”
• Verity’s Remote: To manipulate and alter reality, Verity uses a discreet remote embedded within a teardrop-shaped necklace—an object she is often seen absentmindedly fiddling with, particularly in moments of tension. The shape of the remote is symbolic: the teardrop reflects the pain, isolation, and emotional weight she carried from years of bullying and trauma. 

Final Thoughts

“Bête Noire” is a dark, unsettling tale of memory, guilt, and revenge that leans more into psychological horror than sci-fi spectacle. Anchored by a sharp script and two powerful lead performances, the episode explores how past cruelty can echo across time and identity—especially when filtered through technology and power.

Explore The Series So Far…

• Episode 1: “Common People”