Summary
Overall, this interactive special is a thrill. It’s a short burst into the interactive experience, and hey, if you don’t like the result, go back and do it all again. I highly recommend the experience.
This review of the Netflix interactive special You vs. Wild: Out Cold does contain minor spoilers.
Netflix special You vs. Wild: Out Cold is an unbelievably good contribution to the You Vs. Wild franchise. If you’re a fan of Bear Grylls and his adventurous, dangerous lifestyle, this is the series for you. The running time is roughly between 25 and 45 minutes, depending on what path you decide to take.
That’s right. You, the viewer, take control of the narrative by selecting one of the options on your screen. Be warned, you will have to do this on a modern device. The interactive experience has greatly been led by the video game and theatre industry, (breaking the fourth wall, audience participation) but it is making a move into the film and television industry. The popular series Black Mirror released Bandersnatch back in 2018, which allowed viewers to navigate a story-line and had multiple ending options. This is very similar. Shorter in time frame but the same concept. I have been waiting for another interactive film experience and this one didn’t disappoint.
This is an interactive movie, set after a plane crash, where the viewers have to help Grylls find his friend to survive. The crash has left Bear with amnesia, so it is up to us to take charge. We help them navigate huge rock walls, dark tunnels and creepy creatures, and we choose their fate from their remote controls. Having this power and control gives a new thrill when watching a film. You’re eager to see where it goes, and feel a sense of responsibility, especially when helping people survive.
Being in control of the story-line gives the viewer an exceptional experience – most people are passive whilst watching; being fed information. Here the viewer gets the chance to be active in dictating what happens. Therefore, I understand why this isn’t for every viewer, but it’s definitely something to try once. Especially when this can be done in less than half an hour.
Spoiler section: For example, in one section, Bear needs to lose a Wolf, and you can decide to go into the woods or the mountains. Then depending on what you chose the story will unfold. I chose the mountains, which I think was a good choice. He lost the wolf. There are plenty of choices, to keep you entertained, Bear gives you enough information for you to make an informed decision. Unless you just want to press at random, then that’s your choice (for example, I chose a harder route for him through the mountains, just because I wanted to see what happens. I also thought I’d killed him when I made him eat a certain creepy critter.)
Not only is the story-line seriously compelling, the music is powerful, and the scenery is breathtaking. You do get a full survival episode, learning tips and tricks for if you’re ever stuck alone in the wild.
What did you think of Netflix interactive special You vs. Wild: Out Cold? Comment below.
