I watched three shows to find one 'better than Black Mirror' and there was a clear winner
Netflix
sensation. However, among the various recommendations I found online, one stood out.
The much-anticipated seventh season of the hit show was finally unveiled last month. It brought six fresh episodes featuring new twisted narratives, including a sequel to one of the most beloved instalments.
Despite limiting myself to one episode per night, I managed to finish the latest season in less than a week. Craving more sci-fi inspired stories, I turned to Reddit for suggestions on what to watch next, specifically looking for shows that viewers deemed even better than Black Mirror. But before settling on any recommendations, it's crucial to first understand and define the series itself.
Recent episodes have led some viewers to label it as a show warning about the perils of technology, but that's not entirely accurate. When it first aired on British broadcaster Channel 4, it had a different vibe.
Inside No. 9 is a British series that many believe is better than Black Mirror
(Image: BBC)
The inaugural episode presents the UK Prime Minister with a shocking predicament when a member of the Royal Family is kidnapped. There's no significant technological element integral to the plot.
True, most episodes that followed embraced futuristic tech at their core, leading many sci-fi series to be dubbed as 'like Black Mirror'. The German Netflix offering Cassandra is a prime example. Having premiered earlier this year, it transcends the Black Mirror comparison.
Netflix's own description is best: The service brands it as "Charlie Brooker's dark, satirical anthology series." So, when perusing for similar content, I seek out an anthology series with a dark and satirical edge.
This criteria easily rules out recommendations for X-Files aficionados and fans of Fringe, Altered Carbon or Devs; none match the anthology format due to their continuous story arcs.
Many fans seek out the next Black Mirror
(Image: Robert Falconer/Netflix)
A standout recommendation is Love, Death + Robots. This not-so-shocking suggestion highlights an infinitely watchable animated anthology series on Netflix. Its fourth volume dropped recently, albeit with episodes varying widely in their appeal.
Add to the list Guillermo Del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities. This Netflix exclusive could be viewed as horror's answer to Black Mirror's science fiction genius. However, what caught me off guard was another recommendation, one not previously on my radar, with numerous viewers touting it as the superior series.
That is the series Inside Number 9, brought to life by creators, writers, and frequent stars Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton. The duo, known for their work with the comedy troupe The League of Gentlemen, have definitely left their mark with the show ending after its ninth series. For UK fans, it's still up for viewing on the BBC, while US audiences can find it on BritBox.
Inside Number 9 is a top pick for those hunting for their next binge-watch fix akin to Black Mirror. The main difference being that episodes are neatly packaged into tight 30-minute runtimes, avoiding drawn-out plotlines, with satisfying conclusions, and leaving viewers wanting more.
The latest Black Mirror season included its first episodic sequels
(Image: NETFLIX)
Every episode of this anthology series is linked by something pertaining to the number 9 – whether it be a location or even a shoe size. Impressively, it boasts a solid 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes throughout its run, outperforming Black Mirror in this metric.
The buzz around the show is reason enough to give it a chance. One enthusiast shared online: "One of the best series of the past ten years. Every episode has a Tales of the Unexpected vibe, leavened by humour. Netflix bought Black Mirror but they missed a trick by not getting their hands on this one. Couldn't recommend it more highly."
Other fans expressed similar sentiments, with one noting: "It is a very profound series with many messages. It is similar to Black Mirror but much more comedic."
Another confessed: "I did not think I would ever find anything that would top Black Mirror, but Inside number 9 definitely does. Absolutely love it and don't want it to ever end. Ever!"
Black Mirror is streaming on Netflix. Inside Number 9 is streaming on BritBox.
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The Irish Sun
28 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
My daughter Amy Bradley vanished on family cruise 27 years ago… eerie clues PROVE she's still alive & being held captive
EMBARKING on her first ever Caribbean cruise, Amy Bradley was excited for the luxury trip ahead. Her insurance agent parents, Ron and Iva, had won the once-in-a-lifetime holiday for being top of the annual sales list and were delighted that their children - Amy, 23, and Brad, 21 - were allowed to join them. Advertisement 19 Amy Bradley (pictured with her brother Brad) couldn't wait to go on the ultra-high-end cruise with her family - but she vanished without trace on the trip in 1988 Credit: FBI 19 Amy on the once-in-a-lifetime cruise with her parents Credit: FBI 19 The family toured the Caribbean on board the Rhapsody of the Seas cruise liner 19 She was last seen dancing in the cruise ship's nightclub But the family's dream holiday turned to tragedy on the high seas when Amy disappeared without trace - The lively, vivacious young woman, who had soon made friends among staff and passengers, often stayed up with brother Brad after their parents headed back to the cabin on the Rhapsody of the Seas cruise liner. On the third night aboard she was letting her hair down and planned to head to the ship's nightclub after bidding Iva and Ron goodnight. 'I said 'I love you' as I headed back to the cabin, and she said, 'I love you, too, Mom. I'll see you in the morning.' And we went to bed,' recalls Iva. Advertisement read more from features But Iva was not to see her fun-loving daughter ever again. Somehow, during the early hours of the morning of March 24, 1998, she vanished. Did she drunkenly fall overboard, take her own life, or hide on the ship and leave when it docked the following day - or was she taken against her will? There have been many theories over the years and several 'sightings' of Amy, but one thing is for certain - her family are convinced she is still alive. 'Twenty seven years of looking for Amy every day. It's a life goal,' says Iva. 'In my quiet times it's like, 'What did we miss?' I know somebody knows something.' Advertisement Most read in The Sun Amy's disappearance is examined in the new three-part Netflix documentary Amy Bradley Is Missing, which explores the various leads and purported sightings over the years with interviews from suspects, family and friends. On that fateful night, the ship had just left Aruba when Ron and Iva went to bed around 1am. My dad spied on my sister with hidden cameras & stalked her at work before she vanished at 17 - I'm convinced he killed her despite serial killer confession 'We went up to the disco because that was the last place that was open,' says Brad. 'We weren't ready to turn in yet. We were having drinks and listening to music and having a great time.' Advertisement After a while he indicated to Amy, above the noise, that they should call it a night and he headed back to the cabin at 3.35am. 'My parents were sleeping,' he remembers. 'I went out onto the balcony and five minutes later, Amy came back to the room. They could hear him talking inside of his room, even over the sound of the loud TV or radio. I thought, 'Well, who's he talking to? Wayne Breitag 'We were both finishing our drinks and hanging out and talking about the next day. She brought up that someone she had been dancing and talking to during the course of the evening made some sort of physical pass at her. 'She told me it was the bass player from the band. She didn't make a big deal of it, just mentioned it in passing. Advertisement 'At that point we were both tipsy. It was time for bed. She said, 'I don't feel too good. I'm going to sit right here with all the fresh air and the wind.' 'I told her I loved her and would see her tomorrow and shut the glass door behind me and I went to bed.' Vanished 19 Amy's brother Brad (right) was convinced he heard her voice while looking for her Credit: Netflix 19 Ron Bradley last saw his daughter at 5:30am on the balcony Credit: Netflix Advertisement Brad would not see her again - but her father did, briefly. 'I remember waking somewhere around 5.30 in the morning,' says Ron. 'Brad had come in and gone to bed, but I didn't see Amy in there. 'I saw her legs and feet, sitting in a lounge chair on the balcony, and told myself, 'Well, she's safe.' "About six o'clock, something woke me again. I don't know what it was but when I looked out, she wasn't there. Advertisement 'I noticed that the balcony door was open about 12 to 14 inches, the shirt that she had on that night was laying on the chair in the room and her cigarettes weren't there. I saw her legs and feet, sitting in a lounge chair on the balcony, and told myself, 'Well, she's safe' Ron Bradley "So I'm thinking she's changed her clothes and has left the room to get a coffee and take pictures, because we were coming into port.' Amy's shoes were on the balcony neatly placed beside the little table. 'I left the room, leaving the others asleep and figured that I would find her in a few minutes and then everything would be good," says Ron. Advertisement "But when I didn't, that's when I came back and told Iva, 'I can't find Amy'.' Alarmed 19 When Ron couldn't find Amy, he told his wife and they raised the alarm 19 Curacao harbour police chief Adtzere 'John' Mentar believes Amy's body would have washed up had she gone overboard Credit: NETFLIX Becoming increasingly concerned, Ron and Iva reported their daughter's disappearance at the purser's desk and a call went out over the tannoy system asking for her to make contact. Advertisement By now people were starting to disembark for the next stop, 'They were still all going on their merry way, laughing, talking, and there we were, looking for our daughter. It was what nightmares are made of,' says Ron. At 9am a full search of the ship by staff found no trace of Amy. The immediate assumption was that she had gone overboard and so a search took place at sea between Curacao and Advertisement 'Our waters have a very strong current, so something should wash ashore,' says Curacao harbour police chief, Adtzere 'John' Mentar. They were still all going on their merry way, laughing, talking, and there we were, looking for our daughter. It was what nightmares are made of Ron Bradley 'Because of the position of the boat, wind force, sea current, wave height, the body would have washed up. But she was nowhere to be found. 'We have sharks but the shark will not eat her completely. Something, maybe a leg or an arm, would have washed ashore. It is very strange.' The incident hit news headlines and two days after Amy went missing the FBI boarded the ship, but were frustrated to find that if there was any evidence in the cabin, it had been cleaned away by room service. Advertisement The Bradleys were all interviewed together and separately. 'I said to Iva, 'You understand why they are interviewing us separately? It's because we're suspects,'' Ron recalls. Ultimately the FBI found no evidence that led them to consider a family member was responsible. Mystery conversation 19 Amy, who was born in Petersburg, Virginia in May 1974, had come out as gay not long before she went on the cruise Advertisement 19 Alistair Douglas, known as 'Yellow', partied with Amy on the night she disappeared Credit: Netflix 19 Lori Thompson claimed she saw Amy on the night she disappeared chatting to Yellow Credit: NETFLIX Establishing an accurate timeline leading up to Amy's disappearance has been difficult. What is certain is that she returned to the cabin at 3.40am from the nightclub, because the electronic key card kept a record. Advertisement But no one knows if she left the room after that as the key is not used when exiting. The FBI also interviewed others of interest, such as Wayne Breitag, the passenger in the adjoining cabin. 'I told them that I saw Amy Bradley at the disco that night around two o'clock because I went there to see what was going on and I just observed and sat down and, yeah, looking for girls, whatever,' he says. 'That night I probably was back in the room by 2.30... I don't remember hearing anything from their room. That's why it was a real surprise to me that this stuff happened." Advertisement Iva says: 'I told the FBI, Wayne Breitag would come out on his balcony next to us and lean over the partition to talk to Amy. 'He was just odd. The passengers in the cabin on the other side of him said that after Amy disappeared, his TV or radio was at a level of, 'You gotta be kidding me.' 'They could hear him talking inside of his room, even over the sound of the loud TV or radio. I thought, 'Well, who's he talking to?'' We have sharks but the shark will not eat her completely. Something, maybe a leg or an arm, would have washed ashore. It is very strange Adtzere 'John' Mentar After posters of Amy were pasted up on the ship, several people came forward to talk to the investigators, including Chris Fenwick. Advertisement He worked for a computer company in San Francisco that had organised a trip for its top sales people and had been editing some footage that his cameraman had been taking at the nightclub that evening for a 'highlights reel'. 'I remember seeing Amy. She was the life and soul of the party,' he says. 'I went through my box of tapes and until I found her and she's dancing with Yellow.' Yellow was the nickname of the bass guitarist in the band, Alister Douglas. Advertisement Lori Thompson, then 18, told the FBI that she and her friend had got talking with Amy at the nightclub and later, between five and six in the morning. She claimed she saw Amy and Yellow in the glass elevator going up to the nightclub even though it was closed. Then, 10 to 15 minutes later, she said Yellow walked briskly past them alone, without saying a word. 'I thought it was strange because in the nightclub he had tried to get us to talk to him,' Lori says. 'I got a bad vibe. Immediately I thought, 'Where's Amy?'' In his interview with the FBI, Yellow admitted that he knew who Amy was and had flirted with her, but said that was the kind of thing he does. Advertisement In a polygraph test he vehemently denied having anything to do with her disappearance. The results were not conclusive and the FBI released him due to having no evidence to charge him in Amy's disappearance. Sex trafficking fear 19 The family was emailed pictures in May 2001 of a woman who resembled Amy, posing provocatively on a prostitution website in the Venezuela area Credit: FBI Back home in Virginia the family felt powerless, so Ron and Brad returned to Curacao to hold a press conference. Afterwards they were approached by a taxi driver, named Deshi, who said he had spoken to a frantic-looking Amy on the island when she asked for directions to a phone box. Advertisement 'He said, 'You need to go to Kadushi Cliffs and look around but don't talk to anybody because it was dangerous',' recalls Ron. It was the first indication Amy was alive. Worried about their safety, harbour police chief Adtzere 'John' Mentar accompanied them. 'Curacao is a very lovely island but the crime we have here is drug-related because we are not too far from Venezuela,' says John. 'We also have some prostitution on the island and sometimes sex trafficking. She could have been lured off the ship. Someone might be able to sweet-talk her.' Advertisement We also have some prostitution on the island and sometimes sex trafficking. She could have been lured off the ship. Someone might be able to sweet-talk her Adtzere 'John' Mentar On a remote car trip at one o'clock in the morning, Brad was sure he heard his sister. He says: 'We were driving along this little dirt path and I distinctly heard Amy's voice say, 'Brad!' in what seemed like a vehicle that was passing us. 'I freaked out and spun around and asked everybody if they heard it and they said they did. 'We turned round and followed the car into a backstreet, fully expecting we were going to pull the guy over and she would be in the car, but it ended up being just an old dude by himself. Advertisement 'I know what it sounds like when Amy calls me. This was very distinct. I've never been so sure of anything in my life that that's what I heard.' Beach sighting 19 David Carmichael believes he saw Amy and two men walking towards them along the beach 19 Bill Hefner claims he met a white girl with tattoos who told him her name was Amy Bradley in a bar in Curacao, and she was being held there against her will by armed men 19 The FBI released computer generated pictures of what they thought Amy might look like at 42 years old Credit: Federal Bureau of Investigation Advertisement Ron is also convinced his daughter is still alive. Over the years there have been several more credible sightings, often from people whose memories have been jolted after the family has appealed for information on TV chat shows. Among the identifying features was a distinctive tattoo of the Tasmanian Devil cartoon animal on Amy's left shoulder blade. David Carmichael told the FBI that he and his friend had been on a diving trip at Porto Maries, Curacao, when he was convinced he saw Amy and two men walking towards them along the beach. Advertisement He noticed her Tasmanian Devil tattoo and was about to say something when he was unsettled by the larger man staring at him. He believes the other man was Alister Douglas. We were driving along this little dirt path and I distinctly heard Amy's voice say, 'Brad!' in what seemed like a vehicle that was passing us... I know what it sounds like when Amy calls me. This was very distinct. I've never been so sure of anything in my life that that's what I heard Brad Bradley Bill Heffner, from Nevada, said he was in the US Navy in January 1999 when he walked into a bar in Curacao and met a white girl with tattoos who told him her name was Amy Bradley, and she was being held there against her will by armed men. 'I had heard all kinds of stories from working girls in Singapore and Thailand and I just kind of took it with a pinch of salt and I left,' he says. 'It wasn't until 2001 when I saw her picture in a magazine feature that I connected the dots.' Advertisement The family was emailed pictures in May 2001 of a woman who resembled Amy, posing provocatively on a prostitution website in the Venezuela area. An FBI forensic analyst studied the photos, measured things like the chin, ear and eyes, and believed that it was Amy. But police enquiries led nowhere. Eerie 'premonition' 19 Amy was in a relationship with a woman but kissed another girl, causing a rift between them 19 Amy's then-girlfriend Mollie McClure says she received a note from Amy before she went missing with references to the sea, which she believes made it ripe for misinterpretation Advertisement 19 Amy had adopted a dog not long before the trip At college Amy had come out as gay to her family and friends. In 1998, she told her girlfriend, Mollie McClure, that she had kissed another girl after they had been drinking, but that it didn't mean anything and that it had helped confirm her feelings for Mollie. But Mollie told her that she needed time to process this and stopped answering her calls, so she sent Mollie a letter – a message in a bottle – asking for her forgiveness. Advertisement It has a heart-aching resonance of her going missing at sea with the comment: 'I feel like there is an ocean between us. Like I'm on a desert island waiting for you to rescue me. A message in a bottle is my only hope. I miss you, Mollie. Save me please. Stranded, Amy.' Mollie says there have been suspicions that this note, which she sent one month before her disappearance, may have had deeper meaning. 'Because of the circumstances of her going missing a month to the day that she sent me this letter, and also it being a message in a bottle, the convenience of the metaphor is ripe for misunderstanding,' says Mollie. 'It could suggest suicide but I don't connect with it in that way. For me, it is a love letter. Advertisement Because of the circumstances of her going missing a month to the day that she sent me this letter, and also it being a message in a bottle, the convenience of the metaphor is ripe for misunderstanding. It could suggest suicide but I don't connect with it in that way. For me, it is a love letter Mollie McClure 'After the message I reached out to her and we got together a few days before she left for the cruise. 'She wanted me to meet the dog she had adopted and to see her new apartment. I knew we were going to make it work and we had planned that we would see each other after the cruise at Easter. 'She was incredibly excited about the trip. She had written me a postcard that arrived after I had got word she was missing. I'm a photographer so she referenced taking photos and then she said, 'I wish you were here'.' Wherever she is now remains a mystery, but the Bradleys will never give up their search. Advertisement 'We've lost a lot of years of our life, searching, but we won't stop,' says Iva. 'Somebody knows something. We were told by an FBI agent, 'Keep your lights on. Nobody can keep a secret their entire life'.' 'We keep her car in the garage at home, out of the weather and polished,' adds Ron. 'It's going to be pristine when she gets here. And then she'll get to drive it again.' Advertisement Amy Bradley Is Missing is available to stream on Netflix from today. 19 Mum Iva says she was told the truth will eventually emerge by the FBI
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Luke Littler fails driving theory test again as darts star shares picture of his results
DARTS sensation Luke Littler has narrowly failed his driving theory test for the "fourth time and counting". The 2025 PDC World Darts champion became the youngest ever winner of the tournament at just 17 years old - and he finally got to celebrate a darts victory with a legal pint later that month when he turned 18. 4 Littler has been left frustrated by his driving theory once again 4 He took to Instagram to show just how close he was to passing Credit: Instagram 4 Littler had already been roasted by his pal AngryGinge before he failed again Credit: Channel4 Now, he's going through the next teenage milestone - getting his driving licence. Unfortunately for Littler, he's not as good at spotting dangers on the road as he is at pinning darts on the board. Posting to Instagram , the driving theory results on to his story. The top of the letter read: 'I'm sorry to tell you that you failed your car theory test.' Read more darts The picture shows Littler passed his multiple choice test, scoring 45 out of 50 and surpassing the required pass mark of 43. But it was on hazard perception that he fell down. He managed 41 out of 75, meaning he was agonisingly short of the 43-point pass mark. He summed up his fail with the caption: '4th time… and counting.' Most read in Darts BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Littler, who Morgan Burtwistle, better known as streamer AngryGinge, referenced Littler's extensive trophy cabinet and Celebrity Gogglebox appearance. 4 Littler - who has previously said he dreams of driving a Mercedes A-Class - won't be happy Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK He asked: 'What have we got behind us here, Luke?' Littler replied: 'What haven't we got?' Joking with his friend, AngryGinge answered: 'You can do all this, but you can't pass your driving theory.' Littler has won two World Series of Darts titles, 13 PDC titles and five major titles, as well as being crowned the youngest player to hit a televised nine-dart finish. But while he's already made those dreams come true, it appears his dream of driving a Mercedes A-Class will have to be put on hold for now.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Selfish travel trend dubbed the ‘height of entitlement' is sparking outrage amongst UK commuters.. so are YOU guilty?
BRITONS have shared their fury over a 'selfish' travel trend that has been dubbed the "height of entitlement". Advertisement 3 TikToker Jess shared her fury over the trend Credit: tiktok/@jessrichardson9 3 One woman took to X to share a snap of someone 'pole hogging' Credit: X 3 Redditors shared their fury outrage Credit: Reddit 'Pole hogging' is when a train passenger leans their whole body against the vertical poles on 'Biggest pet peeve' One Londoner, Jess Richardson, described the habit as her "Biggest pet peeve." "Please just hold it like a normal person so I don't have to touch you when I don't want to fall over," she raged in a video posted to her TikTok channel, Another infuriated commuter, Alice Hadfield posted a picture of a woman leaning against a pole on a busy London Tube, on Advertisement Read more real life stories And over on Reddit, another furious commuter shared a snap of another "pole hogger" on the Underground. "Busy commute to work and this woman is leaning against the pole, on her phone, taking up as much room as possible preventing people from getting on the train while leaning on my hand the entire commute," the enraged traveller penned. "She turned around and angrily stared at me like I was invading her personal space. "The entitlement is simply incredible to witness." Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Exclusive Exclusive The post was flooded with replies from other Brits, equally infuriated by the trend. One commuter raged: "I hate hate hate people who do this. The Selfish Travel Trend Annoying Public Transport Users Everywhere "There's literally no reason you can't just hold it like everyone else! "Even if you're desperate to use your phone you can do so one handed!" Advertisement Another person exclaimed: "I had someone do this the other day to me. "I kept moving my fingers into his back. The worst part was I had my hand there before got on…" A third fumed: "I hope she stumbles and falls when the train stops." More 'selfish' travel trends This comes as commuters have been sharing their rage over passengers who Advertisement "This happened to me this week," one commuter wrote on social media . "The guy behind me was raging at the youth of today, turns out to be a 50+ year old wino playing the tunes." Another wrote: "It's because, as a nation, we've been sold the idea that selfishness is best." Advertisement And One mum took to Mumsnet to say that she would feel 'dreadful' if something happened to the unsupervised kids, so feels like she can't leave the pool . Advertisement
