/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24732435/Joan_Is_Awful.jpg "Black Mirror’s ‘Joan is Terrible’ offers a comical examination of streaming’s future")
Currently, there is a strike happening in Hollywood with the screenwriters of the Writers Guild of America. Part of their concern is the fear that AI will replace them, producing mediocre content quickly and cheaply, solely benefiting streamers financially without much cultural contribution. Actors are also joining the strike to protect their rights to their own likenesses, preventing streamers from digitally replicating them without fair compensation. Directors are voting on their own contract, with some prominent figures expressing worry about the contract’s AI-related terms.
These individuals in Hollywood worry that the industry’s pursuit of low-cost, endless content will result in the displacement of human professionals by computers, ultimately devastating their respective fields. In the sixth season of “Black Mirror,” creator Charlie Booker portrays a world where AI not only impacts actors, writers, and directors but also the viewers at home.
One episode of “Black Mirror” called “Joan is Awful” features Annie Murphy as Joan, an ordinary woman who misses her ex, finds her fiancé dull, and works as a middle manager at a tech company. Joan’s life takes a turn when she discovers that the show she is watching, also titled “Joan is Awful,” is about her own life, with Salma Hayek portraying her. As her secrets are exposed against her will, Joan embarks on a mission to regain control of her life from Streamberry (a fictional streaming platform) and Salma Hayek’s character.
“Joan is Awful” offers a comedic tone that feels softer compared to typical “Black Mirror” episodes. While the show often delves into dark and cruel satire, this particular episode embraces screwball comedy elements, spotlighting Annie Murphy’s exceptional talent in that genre. Although it occasionally features crude humor, reminiscent of Adam Sandler’s style, it still manages to elicit laughter.
Murphy and Hayek’s comedic chemistry serves as a brilliant contrast as Joan confronts Hayek and the latter starts to regret selling her digital likeness to Streamberry. Brooker’s script allows the characters to deliver humorous performances while enduring escalating absurdity and humiliation. However, the episode’s conclusion feels slightly twee, wrapping up the narrative a bit too neatly.
The ending also contradicts the current world where writers, actors, and directors are actively fighting against the future portrayed by Brooker. It remains uncertain how these efforts will unfold. Brooker, who recently showed support for the American writers’ strike, is clearly aligned with the artists’ cause. This episode aims to rally others to their side. However, “Black Mirror” is known for its cynical exploration of humanity, and in this episode that emulates a near future currently being resisted, Brooker presents a world where some individuals recognize the absurdity of all-powerful Big Tech and fight back. While it conveys a positive sentiment, its impact relies on people paying attention.
“Black Mirror” is currently streaming on Netflix.
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Alex Smith is a writer and editor with over 10 years of experience. He has written extensively on a variety of topics, including technology, business, and personal finance. His work has been published in a number of magazines and newspapers, and he is also the author of two books. Alex is passionate about helping people learn and grow, and he believes that writing is a powerful tool for communication and understanding.
