Netflix viewers are 'going mad' after being shown two different versions of Black Mirror episode that's 'next level diabolical'

You can always count on Black Mirror to mess with your view on reality.

The dystopian sci-fi TV series on Netflix made by mastermind Charlie Brooker often shines an ugly spotlight on the technological world around us.

While the first series came and shook us to the core way back in 2011, its seventh series landed on our screens on April 10, and in just a matter of days it's already causing a stir.

However, what's driving viewers 'mad' is an apparent glitch that's possibly deliberate, with the second episode of the series 'Bête Noire'.

Take this as your warning that this article contains some spoilers.

Well, some viewers have ignited their own conspiracy theories as they claim parts of the episode to do with the restaurant are spelt completely different, which is almost an Inception-like take considering the protagonist of the episode also appears to be driven to madness over the same issue.

The episode follows the story of a woman called Maria, played by Siena Kelly, as her life unravels at the hands of her former high school enemy, Verity, played by Rosy McEwen.

As the episode later establishes, Verity is on a bit of a mission to ruin Maria's life, using a high-tech pendant to alter reality in front of Maria's eyes - all while the rest of the world is completely oblivious.

At one point, Maria insists her boyfriend used to work at a chicken shop called 'Barnie's,' with the show previously hinting at the restaurant as her partner sports a red and white hat with the logo on it.

However, her colleagues disagree, saying the restaurant was called 'Bernie's' and goad her into researching the name.

A search online makes her colleagues right, which leads to Maria questioning her life, especially as she checks her boyfriend's hat which has apparently changed spelling to Bernie's.

Yet beyond Maria being duped, fans say the show is even gaslighting viewers in real time with dozens taking to social media after claiming the show alters the spelling of the chicken shop for different viewers.

Taking to Twitter, one user wrote: "So my friend and I were watching the new Black Mirror episode “Bête Noire” and we noticed that there was a stark difference between our episodes… even the viewers are getting gaslit at 16:40!"

Dozens more then compared their different screenshots at the timestamp, with some having Bernies chicken and others having Barnies.

Reacting to the discovery, a viewer said they 'had to check' their version and said it was Barnies for them.

So my friend and I were watching the new Black Mirror episode “Bête Noire” and we noticed that there was a stark difference between our episodes… even the viewers are getting gaslit at 16:40! #BlackMirrorS7 pic.twitter.com/G2Ne1SuvJV

— Vastolorde | AKIO 🫡💖🇺🇸 (@actualakio) April 10, 2025

"Black Mirror is also playing with its viewers by showing one episode with two different scenes. Diabolical," they said.

"Black Mirror filming two versions of the bernie’s/barnie’s scene and distributing them randomly is next level diabolical," a third added.

Another said it was different for them compared to their daughter's version.

However, dozens of others said it's part of the show's genius and quirky charm.

"Wtf Black Mirror you did it again!" a fourth fan penned.

A fifth chimed: "This is what Black Mirror is all about."

"That's actually a cool gimmick, or whatever you wanna call it," read another.

"Man the Black Mirror creators are chaotic geniuses," a fan explained. "They went through all this work so when we discussed the episodes with others we would all go insane with the mandela effect."