The new Black Mirror episode “Hotel Reverie” has taken the world by storm, thrilling fans with their innovative storytelling, and emotionally charged themes. This episode serves as a spiritual sequel to the mostly adored “San Junipero”, a high point of Season 3. It resonates emotionally because it connects profoundly through themes of nostalgia, love, and the complexities of relationships.
Cast Hotel Reverie focuses on Hollywood A-lister Brandy Friday, played by Issa Rae, who grows more and more irritated by the personal life-sucking paparazzi style gossip that ensues. As she navigates the pressures of celebrity culture, Brandy is offered a role in a revamped version of the classic film Hotel Reverie. The film’s plot mirrors the romantic tension found in Casablanca, featuring an heiress named Clara, played by Emma Corrin’s character Dorothy Chambers, who embarks on a courtship at a luxurious resort.
Throughout the episode, we see Brandy resisting the urge to perform opposite Clara instead of as the titular character. This decision ignites Brandy’s quest to discover who she is and where she belongs. She conveys these themes through the groundbreaking Nubbin technology, which allows performers to upload their consciousness into the film’s digital universe. Brandy leans into an interesting narrative conceit that further strengthens her bond to the role of Dorothy. Ultimately, she finds herself falling in love with the fictional version of herself that she so completely embodies.
This episode in particular weaves together the themes that have come to define Black Mirror. It dives into nostalgia and escape, love and second chances. Charlie Brooker, creator of Black Mirror, is well aware that “Hotel Reverie” treads some familiar ground compared to its predecessor. He calls it “a companion piece, in many ways. Clearly, there are definite themes that overlap.” He further elaborates that while both episodes share thematic connections, they utilize different technological concepts: “It’s not specifically the same tech, say, that we show in ‘San Junipero,’ though.”
As the story builds to its peak, we see Brandy coming to terms with the psychological effects of her journey in the world of the film. Though she loves the world of Oz, she now must deal with the bittersweet reality of saying goodbye to Dorothy, the character she has grown to cherish. Hotel Reverie takes those emotional touchstones established in San Junipero and builds upon them. It just as boldly stands on its own, exploring universal themes of love and loss through a digital expanse.
The episode’s creative take on narrative form exemplifies this shift in queer romance’s depiction in today’s media. “Hotel Reverie” navigates those spaces of human connection, often through the captivating lens of transferred consciousness. Cozzens’ collection provides readers an exciting new view of love that transcends bodies. The depth of connection experienced by Brandy and Dorothy serves to amplify the emotional stakes, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences with love and nostalgia.
