‘Black Mirror’ Season 4 Brings Director John Hillcoat Into The Fold As New Details Are Revealed
When we were assemblingour list of favorite moments of 2016, it was decided late in the process to exclude television and focus solely on movies. The decision was made to keep the list manageable, but it also meant we didn’t get a chance to pay tribute to the third season of the science fiction anthology seriesBlack Mirror, which contains my absolute favorite piece of pop cultureanythingto come out of last year: the episode “San Junipero.” While the seasonhad its ups and down, those highs were remarkably, deliciously high. Nothing abuses my soul quite like the pitch-black world ofBlack Mirrorand it always leaves me begging for more.
So it’s only natural that directorJohn Hillcoat, a man whose filmography is built entirely on movies where nasty and awful things happen to just about everyone unfortunate enough to enter the frame, has reportedly signed on to direct an episode of the upcoming fourth season. He’ll fit right in.
This story comes our way viaThe Tracking Board, who say that Hillcoat will helm an episode titled “Crocodile.” Details are unknown, but the story apparently revolves around two women, one of whom could be played byBirdmanandNocturnal AnimalsstarAndrea Riseborough.
While we don’t know what Hillcoat’s episode will be about, the pessimistic, bleak worldview he’s showcased in his past work makes him a perfect match forBlack Mirror. In films likeThe PropositionandThe Road, he showcased a remarkable eye for misery and the unique ability to make the audience hunger and thirst alongside his characters. Even his more accessible work, likeLawlessandTriple 9, are more hard-edged than most Hollywood movies.
Hillcoat is the latest feature film director to join the series, following in the footsteps of Joe Wright and Dan Trachtenberg, who helmed excellent episodes in season 3. Hillcoat won’t be the only recognizable name directing in the fourth season –we already knew thatJodie Fosterwould be among those helming season 4 episodes.
Black MirrorcreatorCharlie Brookerrecently spoke toThe Telegraphabout working with Foster, who got the job thanks to her past experience working with Netflix:
Naturally, the details of Foster’s episode are also unknown, but Brooker says that it has an “indie movie” quality and will focus on a mother and daughter.
Black Mirrorseason 4 doesn’t have a release date yet, but it will most likely follow in the footsteps of season 3 and arrive this Fall.
