Severance is a series brought to us by Dan Erickson, and it’s bloody good. Like, really good. Apple TV+ has a hit on its hands here. Thank goodness season 2 has already been greenlit!
Severance takes a critical look at how we are slaves to corporations. In this series, the corporation is called Lumon Industries, and they are dodgy as all hell… I think. Well, WE think… The ‘we’ here being the characters who work for them. You see, if you want to work for Lumon Industries you have to agree to undergo a treatment called ‘Severance’.
This treatment basically severs your personal and work life. On the surface that seems like a brilliant idea. That way ONE of you will never have to work another day again. Being an ‘outie’ is great! You wake up as you leave the office, and carry on with your life. Sadly, the same can’t be said about ‘Innies’.
You see, if you are unlucky enough to be an Innie, that means the only world you know, is the office. You can’t remember a god damn thing. Do you have kids? Are you married? All your memories are wiped. You are only conscious as you leave an elevator right until you enter it, again. Your life, is work. Shudder. Those are some very scary thoughts. It also doesn’t help that you don’t know WHAT your work is!
Severance players
This is the premise for Severance. In this nightmaretopia we have Adam Scott as Mark Scout. An apt name as he probes the secrets around Lumon and what Severance is. He’s still suffering the loss of his wife in the real world, but in Lumon he can’t remember her. His colleagues are:
- Dylan (Zach Cherry). A man who loves his cheap company perks (like finger puzzles).
- Helly (Britt Lower). She’s not having a good time! new to the job and wants to leave.
- Seth (Tramell Tillman). A scary supervisor who smiles too much. He brings a new meaning to ‘rehabilitation’
- Irving (John Turturro). An older gentleman who follows company policy like it’s scripture
- Burt (Christoper Walken). Head of a competing department
- Harmony (Patricia Arquette). Nightmare boss made real
These are the main characters, and they are superb. As we discover more the characters and their quirks make more sense. Turturro puts in a performance best in this. I’ve seen loads of other critics saying he is just so good in this.
The look of the show is quite unique. It’s set in the not-too-distant future but also has the aesthetics of the past. In particular, the offices look like something from the 60’s. Old computers (analog) and music give the show an edge that makes you feel, not right. I love it. I have always liked using old school props to create unease. And unease you will feel!
Ben Stiller directs quite a few in this season. And he is excellent. I still can’t get my head around the fact he is behind this show. And the more you think about the show, the more you like it.
They do an excellent job exploring this splitting of people. As we see in this world, there are protests happening saying it’s barbaric. It is! Severance is a slow burn sci-fi thriller with some vicious dark humour. It’s music score is superb and it’s meticulously shot. Well done Ben Stiller! Who would have thought Zoolander could pull this off?
Conclusion
I’ve hopefully not given too much away, because this is a series you need to go into with fresh eyes. The last time I felt this way about a new show was Westworld. I look forward to the next season! Oh, and note the opening to the episodes. Bloody awesome and freaky!
I give Severance a…
8.5/10
All the series and all the movies couldn't put society back together again.