Bernies or Barnies? Unraveling the Black Mirror Reality Swap in 'Bête Noire'

Bernies or Barnies – Which version did you get?

The "Bernies or Barnies" debate stems from the Black Mirror Season 7 episode "Bête Noire," released in April 2025. In this episode, the protagonist, Maria, experiences a reality-altering phenomenon where she recalls a fast-food chain as "Barnies Chicken," while others insist it’s "Bernies Chicken," or vice versa. This confusion is central to the plot, as Maria’s reality is manipulated by a device wielded by her colleague Verity, creating a gaslighting effect.

Netflix took this concept further by releasing two versions of the episode, randomly distributed to viewers. In one version, the chain is initially "Barnies" but later revealed as "Bernies"; in the other, it’s the opposite. The dialogue also shifts slightly:

• In the "Barnies" version, Maria argues the name is "Barnies" because chickens live in barns, but her colleague Nick corrects her, saying chickens live in coops.

• In the "Bernies" version, Maria claims it’s "Bernies" because no one spells "Barney" with an "ie," and her colleague counters that the name can be spelled as the owner chooses.

  
  

This duality sparked widespread discussion online, with fans on platforms like Reddit and X comparing notes and realizing they saw different versions. Some noted the hat in the episode’s first scene changes between "Barnies" and "Bernies," and rewatching didn’t always yield the same version. The episode’s creator, Charlie Brooker, leaned into the chaos, appearing in a Netflix video holding a cap that switches between "Barnies" and "Bernies," refusing to clarify which is "correct."

The setup evokes the Mandela effect, with references to the "Berenstein vs. Berenstain Bears" debate, and ties to an earlier Black Mirror episode, "Shut Up and Dance," where a character reportedly works at either Barnies or Bernies, depending on the version. Fans speculate Netflix’s randomization might not be purely random, with theories about location-based or account-based distribution, though no definitive pattern has been confirmed.

Outside the show, "Barnies" also refers to Barnie’s Coffee & Tea Co., a real-world coffee brand, and Barney’s Beanery, a Los Angeles restaurant chain. There’s no evidence of a real "Bernies Chicken" chain, suggesting both names are fictional for the show. The debate remains a clever meta-experiment by Netflix, mirroring the episode’s themes of memory and manipulation.