(Fwrd Axis) — The rise of streaming TV has brought some of the best TV shows out there, and Apple+’s Severance is among the best I’ve seen. Brought to you by the mind of Ben Stiller & Dan Erickson, this psychological horror, thriller and mystery might be slow but keeps your attention the whole way through. It is a show that keeps you hooked while always asking questions.
This show is weird, but in a way that you don’t want to look away. There’s a creepy vibe to it, but you’re not going to get spooked or scared by it, but it will make you uncomfortable. Uncomfortable in a world where a worker’s mind is “severed” from their work life and their personal life, creating two different personalities in the process. But this procedure allows someone to skip their workday, while the other part of them only knows of their work environment. The concept alone raises questions and thoughts on morality and ethics, one that is the driving point of the show’s main conflict.
The series follows a group of these severed employees who work for a mega-corporation called Lumon as macro data refiners. If you don’t know what that is, it’s the point as both of their personalities aren’t quite aware of what their actual work is.
Severance is a minimalist, yet beautifully designed show. A set that is timeless, yet unfamiliar where modern technology exists, yet you see characters driving or using technology that’s more reminiscent of the 80s and 90s. It adds to this mysterious set and continues to add to already many questions you’ll have throughout watching the show. The set design also makes you fully aware of when you’re within the work environment and when you’re in the personal/real world. A stark contrast that really splits you like the characters are. A clean, bright, white office environment compared to the dark, gritty real world. All giving a creepiness to the show.
The cast is what really brings this story to life. The talents of Adam Scott of Parks and Recreation fame are on full display as we follow his character, Mark. You have smaller names in Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, and Tramell Tillman paired next to veteran actors in John Turturro, Patricia Arquette, and even the legendary Christopher Walken. These talented individuals reflect the mysterious workings of this company, the questions the audience has are the same that the employees have while the bosses and higher-ups are even more mysterious in their actions and motives. The true standouts have to be Scott & Lower’s dynamic as coworkers while Arquette’s character is a fascinating feature of the show.
This show is tense, it’s mysterious, it’s dark and thought-provoking. While the binge model of shows has become popular in the past decade, this is a show where the week break is needed, yet infuriating as you’re just dying to know what happens next. I’ve had multiple occasions throughout the past two months of watching this season where I yelled at my tv screen from the cliffhangers that brought me to the edge of my seat.
There’s not too much that can be spoken about Severance without spoiling the show, but there are so many different aspects that will get you hooked between the mystery, the characters, or even the creepy darkness that compels you to keep going. It’s a must-watch and something you certainly don’t want to miss.
All episodes of Severance are now available on Apple+.
