This Show Turns Work-Life Balance into a Corporate Horror You Won’t Be Able to Unsee

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As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but notice how the buzz around work-life balance seems to be everywhere these days. It’s crucial for our wellbeing, yet it often feels like an unattainable dream. This theme has been explored in numerous shows, but none have quite mastered it like “Severance.” While “Black Mirror,” “Mr. Robot,” “The Office,” and “Better Off Ted” all touched upon this subject, “Severance” stands out by blending it with a chilling corporate dystopia. This series is labeled as a science fiction psychological thriller, but the human and corporate elements woven into its storyline make it truly resonate.

Severance is one of the latest shows streaming on Apple TV+, boasting two seasons thus far. This series centers around a team of employees at a prominent corporation, but there’s an unusual stipulation. Each character consented to undergo a procedure, where the company implanted a chip into their brains. This split their personalities into two distinct entities: the “Innies” (their work identities) and the “Outies” (their regular selves). Essentially, the show’s cast members include Adam Scott (Mark S.), Zach Cherry (Dylan G.), Britt Lower (Helly R.), John Turturro (Irving B.), and Tramell Tillman (Seth Michick).

Corporate Dystopians and Totalitarian Control

In a chilling depiction of corporate oppression, Lumon Industries stands as an embodiment of a dark, dystopian reality where it devours and governs relentlessly. The severance process serves merely as a glimpse into the extent Lumon is prepared to go in safeguarding its own interests; however, everyone is aware that this is but a mere tip of the iceberg. Should Lumon be so bold as to openly disclose something as invasive as the severing procedure, one can only imagine the horrors lurking within the confines of those locked rooms.

Over two seasons, the series “Severance” gradually reveals a corporate world that is more sinister than anyone could have imagined. At first glance, Lumon appears to be a ruthless corporation willing to go to great lengths. However, delve deeper and you’ll find elements of totalitarian rule, with employees (Innies) under constant surveillance, subjected to manipulation, gaslighting being a prime example, and showing signs of corporate paternalism that can be both appealing and oppressive.

Lumon is complex, much like an onion with hidden layers. It seems that Lumon values loyalty above truth within its workforce, a trait that appears in management. Though managers hold authority over the Innies, their control is limited by their unwavering devotion to the company. To maintain this loyalty, they often need to deceive and manipulate – not just others but also themselves.

The company displays a surprisingly cult-like aspect, with Kier Eagan’s life and sayings taking on mythical proportions and carrying a strong religious significance. This has been passed down over generations, enabling people to create rituals that resemble those of cults. When these behaviors become public, viewers often spot these signs everywhere, even if not all of them are subtle. The goat room is one such example that is quite noticeable.

Letting Corporations Define Identity

The idea of ‘severing’ is troubling, not only for viewers but also for characters within the series who question its morality. Initially, those who openly discuss its ethical implications are often dismissed as cranks. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes increasingly unsettling to consider that by permitting Lumon to ‘sever’ people, we are essentially giving a corporation the power to shape one’s personal identity.

In the television series, proponents of severance argue that the process restores the cherished equilibrium between work and personal life. However, this is merely another corporate deception. Even if an individual doesn’t recall working eight hours, it doesn’t mean they didn’t put in the time. In fact, a more concerning issue arises when one must trust their company didn’t mistreat them (mentally, physically, or emotionally) during the periods they can no longer remember. Relying so heavily on a corporation for such extended periods is a potentially harmful precedent to establish.

If we consider the argument for a healthier work/life balance as valid, there’s still an overwhelming issue: to achieve this balance, a person would essentially be obligated to give part of themselves over to someone else. To put it simply, the Inner self can only resign when the Outer self permits it. Furthermore, they do not reap any rewards from their work (such as pay, time off, and numerous other benefits that many people take for granted).

Corporate Dystopian Meets Cosmic Horror

By the close of each day, I find myself captivated by “Severance” in ways that extend far beyond the realm of a typical psychological thriller. It’s a chilling exploration of cosmic horror, cloaked within the cold, artificial glow of a corporate environment. The severance process transforms employees into strangers, not just to the world outside, but to their very selves – a detail that should set off alarms for any connoisseur of cosmic horror, as solitude and the insignificance of human existence are fundamental aspects of this genre. “Severance” masterfully amplifies these themes, integrating blurred realities, psychological disorientation, and indifferent forces (Lumon Industries) into its narrative fabric.

Severance is available to stream on Apple TV+.

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2025-06-02 03:10