What if you couldn't remember your workday when it ended?
What if your boss was your annoying neighbour and you didn't know it?
These are the questions asked by us of the TV series Severance. Starring Adam Scott (who I only know from Parks and Recreation), the show continues to asks questions almost constantly.
What if half of you only knew the life you led at work, with no knowledge of the outside world?
This is a question eagerly asked by Britt Lower's character (Helly), and from there it gets a lot more interesting.
The premise itself is both fascinating and terrifying - workers at the mysterious Lumon Industries undergo a procedure called "severance" that surgically divides their memories between their work and personal lives. Their "innie" - the work version of themselves - only exists within Lumon's stark white hallways, while their "outie" goes about their normal life, blissfully unaware of what transpires during their 9-to-5 existence. It's a concept that speaks to our modern struggles with work-life balance taken to its most extreme conclusion.
With clever, interesting compositions and cinematography, the series uses visual elements to reinforce the story. The stark contrast between the bright, antiseptic office environment and the darker, more textured outside world creates a visual language that emphasises the split lives of the characters. Even the way the camera moves changes between these two worlds - steady and methodical inside Lumon, more dynamic and natural in the outside world. It is cleverly done and so subtle you barely notice unless you know that as a film making technique.
The show's pacing is masterful in how it builds tension. Consequences are established through flashbacks (and other temporal anomalies) which keeps the mystery of the underlying plot going in an interesting manner. Each episode peels back another layer of the mystery, revealing just enough to keep you hooked while raising new questions that demand answers.
And... the introductory sequence (or what some might call the opening title) is like something out of a contemporary art gallery; a blend of surrealism, horror, and the animations from Monty Python's universe. It perfectly sets the tone for what's to come - a show that isn't afraid to be weird, unsettling, and occasionally darkly humorous.
The performances across the board are pretty good, Adam Scott, in particular, brings a subtle complexity to Mark Scout, making both his innie and outie feel like complete, distinct individuals while maintaining an underlying connection that makes their shared identity believable.
A psychological thriller with a dark, corporate undertone. All of it interesting. The show touches on themes of identity, consciousness, corporate control, and the dehumanising nature of modern work culture. No wonder it is incredibly popular!
It asks uncomfortable questions about how much of ourselves we're willing to give up for a paycheck, and whether we can truly separate our work selves from our "real" selves.
As I watch more and more episodes, I become more intrigued, but at the same time, the quality of the writing seems to slip ever so slightly as the first season goes on. The show occasionally struggles under the weight of its own mysteries, and some plot threads feel more compelling than others.
Nonetheless, I remain interested but very much feel as though this is one particular show that shouldn't have too many seasons, as it ... needs to have loose ends tied up correctly before introducing more and more mysteries. There's always a risk with high-concept shows like this of becoming too enamored with their own mythology at the expense of character development and satisfying storytelling.
For the time being, I'll keep watching and definitely say that if you like science fiction, great symbolism, and pretty good cinematography, you should definitely put this one on your watch list if it isn't there already. It's a rare show that manages to be both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging, even if it doesn't quite maintain its initial momentum throughout the season.
At the same time, its full of masterful cinematic techniques - hiding details and meanings throughout the sets.