The Apple TV+ series Severance is one of the most exciting new shows. It offers a mind-bending premise about office workers at a powerful corporation who undergo a procedure to sever their work memories from their everyday life memories.
The intriguing setup allows the series to go in a lot of different directions as it comments on everything from work-life balance to capitalism to grief. It also seems to have taken inspiration from a lot of different sources giving it a similar feel to a number of great movies that touch on these kinds of stories.
1984 (1984)
The term "Orwellian," referring to the hugely influential author George Orwell, is perhaps an overused term these days. However, when watching Severance, it is not hard to see the connection to Orwell's work, especially his most famous novel, 1984.
While it is difficult for any movie to live up to the brilliance of that novel, the version starring John Hurt, which appropriately came out in 1984, is a well-regarded adaptation. Set in a totalitarian future, Hurt plays a man who works rewriting history to conform to the current leaders which feels very similar to the mysterious work being done in Severance.
Dark City (1998)
Though Severance is set in a seemingly ordinary world, there is a sense of it being a sort of science-fiction nightmare. And while the main character, Mark (Adam Scott), is initially trapped in the nightmare, he seems to be gradually being woken up to it.
Though Dark City has a very different style and tone than Severance, it shares that surreal sci-fi feel. The haunting thriller follows a man who wakes up in a motel with no memory and uncovers architects who place the entire city to sleep as they carry out their nefarious plots.
Parasite (2019)
There is an unmistakable anti-capitalist angle to Severance that explores the subjugation of the employees by those in charge in thought-provoking ways. While there are many movies that share this similar message, one of the best in recent memory has been the Oscar-winning Parasite.
The movie follows a working-class family who gradually position themselves in various service roles for a wealthy family only to make a shocking discovery. It is a darkly comedic and brilliant examination of the class system.
Total Recall (1990)
One of the creepiest aspects of the show is how Mark and the other workers are left without any memories of their ordinary lives once they are in the office. At one point, one of the employees is given a description of this outside life he has no idea that he is living.
That idea of not knowing which memories are real and which are just being presented to them makes Severance feel like a workplace version of sci-fi action movie stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as a seemingly ordinary man who is exposed to memories hinting that he is a secret agent dealing with a mission on Mars.
Us (2019)
A very intriguing idea of Severance is the relationship between the two personalities of the "severed" characters. Part of themselves are essentially trapped at work and sacrificed for the other part of themselves on the outside. It brings to mind the premise behind Us.
Jordan Peele's second movie introduces a world of doppelgangers who are forced to live out a mirrored version of their "tethered" personalities until they decide to rebel. It is another haunting look at duality.
Sorry To Bother You (2018)
Severance explores the idea of people being expected to be a certain way while at work. The corporation at the center of the show wants to strip people of their emotions, their relationships, and any distractions that might harm their productivity.
There are similar themes explored in the satire thought-provoking ideas about the class struggle.
The Truman Show (1998)
Despite the disconnect between the two parts of himself, Mark carries on his life as if it is normal. However, the shroud of ignorance is soon lifted when he is ed by a former co-worker who has managed to by his "severance" and exposes Mark to what is really going on.
begin to realize something isn't right.
Office Space (1999)
Along with the wild science-fiction ideas and intense concepts, Severance also is hilarious in its strange yet accurate depiction of office life. there is a mundane feeling to all of these scenes, from the dull room to the small cubicles to the mind-numbing work.
One of the best movies to address this relatable idea in a funny way was Office Space. It follows a trio of friends working a typical boring office job until they decide to change things and get back at their soul-draining company.
Brazil (1985)
Severance does a terrific job juggling a lot of very complicated aspects. It does the somewhat dystopian and Orwellian type story with big ideas, it introduces a somewhat surreal tone separated from reality, and it manages to also have a dark sense of humor.
Pulling off such things into one satisfying end result is difficult and was also achieved by the wonder sci-fi story of living in a dystopian society who finds himself an enemy of the state which gives him a new purpose.
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)
It is likely that everyone, at some point or another, has wished there were certain memories they could just erase. However, Severance explores the idea of the downside and harm that could come if such a thing was possible.
This is an interesting idea that is also explored in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Jim Carrey plays a man who is heartbroken after being dumped and decides to undergo a procedure that will have all memories of his failed relationship erased from his mind.