In the Digital Age, one’s social media presence is considered to be a key aspect of their identity. From influencers and celebrities to middle school girls, the way that people present themselves on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook is paramount; quite frequently, in fact, their success online is often equated to their success in life. With this socially accepted notion, though, a thick layer of superficiality has begun to develop. Users online are no longer indicative of real people in society, and most everyone has become more concerned with appearance than actualized identity. While this may seem like a harmless practice, what happens when this behavior is taken to the extreme?

Black Mirror, a Netflix original sci-fi/dystopian series, has always focused on pushing the boundaries of society since its conception in 2011. In their third season, they aired an episode named “Nosedive” that centered its piercing gaze on the mental and cultural impact of social media. The hour-long segment follows the life of Lacie Pound and the postmodern world she occupies. In her society, people are constantly rated on to their interactions with others and external appearance on a 5-point scale. This rating transcends mere social media, though; according to one’s numerical status, they may be subject to receive more benefits and privileges of society than someone with a lower score.

This function of society proves to be a dominant force in Lacie’s life. She is shown practicing smiles in the mirror, taking one bite out of a cookie to capture the perfect photo, and strategically planning her friendships in order to elevate her social status. This behavior is maximized when Lacie begins the journey to an old friend’s wedding. However, as her rating begins to slip due to minor negative interactions with others, the audience begins to see how quickly negative reputations take hold–and how easy it is for a person to snap.

One cinematic aspect that is particularly successful of this episode is its color scheme. In the beginning of the show, Lacie’s world is clothed in pastel. She almost exclusively wears pastel pink, and the candy-colored houses transmit a wave of serenity and perfection over the audience. However, as the episode progresses and she leaves the protective bubble of her neighborhood, the colors become darker, grittier, and more real. This visual representation of Lacie’s direct conflict with her environment is most notable in the climactic last few scenes; she returns to the pastel world she left from, and is completely juxtaposed from them and ousted due to her acceptance of brutal reality.

Besides Nosedive being an excellent piece of television, I also believe it holds a strong level of relevancy for our present society. While many episodes of Black Mirror seem to be outlandish caricatures of the issues of modern life, I found this episode to be eerily close to the world we inhabit. The omnipresence of social media only rises in influence and power each day, and people are increasingly more tethered to and controlled by their phones. Additionally, many believe that their appearances can determine their identity, success, and happiness in their lives. Because of this, it is crucial to remember that Black Mirror is not always merely a source of entertainment, but rather, a cautionary tale for future dilemmas to come.