Nosedive App

Rate every interaction or lose your place in society.

In the third series of Black Mirror, specifically the episode 'Nosedive', society operates on a system where individuals rate every interaction from one to five stars using smartphones or eye implants. These ratings cumulatively determine socioeconomic status. While this fictional mechanic drives the plot, Netflix released a real-world promotional tool in November 2016 titled 'Rate Me'. This tongue-in-cheek app allowed users to input their Twitter handles to view generated ratings for themselves and others, mirroring the episode's themes of social validation without being an in-universe device itself.

Quick Facts

Episode: Nosedive
Season: 3
Rating scale: 1 to 5 Stars
Primary function: Social Credit System

Lore & Background

The fictional world is defined by a near-future reality where digital scores dictate physical access to luxury. Citizens like Lacie Pound obsess over climbing from a 4.2 to a 4.5 rating to secure a discount at the Pelican Cove apartments. The system relies on eye implants and mobile devices, creating an environment bathed in pastel aesthetics that mask a rigid caste structure. High-rated individuals enjoy privileges like premium flights and exclusive venues, while those with lower scores face exclusion from basic services. Lacie practises her smile in the mirror, knowing one bad interaction could drop her below the 4.2 she needs. Even small gestures, such as rating a childhood friend's photo five stars, are calculated moves to gain leverage for future social climbing.

Reader's Guide

The social mechanic functions on immediate post-interaction ratings ranging from one to five stars. These micro-ratings aggregate into a cumulative score that dictates access to housing, transportation, and employment. A high score grants entry to luxury environments like the Pelican Cove apartments or premium airline seats, while a low score results in immediate exclusion from essential services. Minor slights can trigger a rapid decline in status, known as a 'nosedive', leading to financial ruin and social isolation. Those who fall far enough can end up in a cell, as Lacie does at the end of the episode. The app is omnipresent on smartphones, using pastel visual aesthetics to mask the underlying control mechanism.

Did You Know?

Lacie's rating drops from 4.2 to 4.183 due to flight mishaps before she receives a full-point penalty for causing an airport scene.
The episode was filmed in South Africa with a larger budget than previous series, utilizing pastel visual aesthetics widely praised by critics.
A board game titled 'Nosedive' based on the episode was released in 2018.
Bryce Dallas Howard received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for her performance as Lacie Pound.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Nosedive App?

The Nosedive App is a fictional social credit system from the Black Mirror episode 'Nosedive' where every interpersonal interaction results in a star rating. This cumulative score determines an individual's social standing and access to privileges within society.

How does the rating scale work?

Users assign ratings between one and five stars after each encounter, with higher averages granting better opportunities like housing or flights. A single low rating can significantly drop a user's overall score, instantly altering their social status.