The Severance Void: 8 Shows and Movies to Ease the Lumon Withdrawal
The fluorescent lights are dimming, the elevator doors are closing, and the weekly dopamine hit of Lumon Industries intrigue is coming to an end. The Severance season two finale is upon us, a moment both eagerly anticipated for the potential answers it holds, and dreaded for the gaping hole it will leave in our viewing schedules. Finally, some resolution (hopefully!) to the show’s labyrinthine mysteries and character complexities. But also, goodbye for now to the darkly comedic, often unsettling, and always captivating world of Macrodata Refinement and the innies who inhabit it.
Until the (as-yet-unconfirmed) third season graces our screens, how do we navigate this Severance-sized emptiness? How do we recalibrate our brains after weeks spent pondering the ethical implications of corporate control, the nature of identity, and the true meaning of waffle parties?
Fear not, fellow Severance enthusiasts! Here are eight TV shows and movies that share thematic DNA with the Apple TV+ hit, offering a dose of mind-bending sci-fi, workplace weirdness, and existential questioning to tide you over.
1. Dark Matter (Apple TV+)
Staying within the Apple TV+ ecosystem, Dark Matter presents a compelling "what if?" scenario exploring alternate realities. Based on the novel by Blake Crouch, the series follows Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton), a physicist who is kidnapped and thrust into a drastically different version of his life. He must navigate a multiverse of possibilities, each reflecting different choices he could have made, to find his way back to his original reality and the wife he loves, played by Jennifer Connelly.
Like Severance, Dark Matter delves into the fascinating, and often frightening, potential of divergent personalities evolving from a single source. The series also features unsettling technology with initially promising applications that quickly reveal devastating consequences. While Edgerton’s character might not possess the same endearing qualities as Adam Scott’s Mark Scout, viewers will still be invested in his journey. The first season is readily available, and a second is on its way.
2. Devs (Hulu)
If you crave the unsettling atmosphere of a tech company with a hidden agenda, look no further than Devs. Created, written, and directed by Alex Garland (known for Ex Machina, Annihilation, and Civil War), this Hulu miniseries is steeped in mystery and paranoia. Set within the walls of Amaya, a secretive quantum computing corporation, Devs follows Lily Chan (Sonoya Mizuno) as she investigates the disappearance of her boyfriend and uncovers a conspiracy that reaches the very foundations of reality.
Devs mirrors Severance in its exploration of advanced technology with potentially dangerous implications and its captivating murder mystery. The cast is stellar, boasting the talents of Nick Offerman, Cailee Spaeny, and Alison Pill. Its single, eight-episode season makes it a perfect binge-watching experience.
3. Black Mirror (Netflix)
The connection between Black Mirror and Severance is undeniable: both explore the chilling potential of technology and its impact on humanity. Charlie Brooker’s anthology series has been a staple of dystopian storytelling for years, offering bleak and thought-provoking glimpses into a future where technology has amplified both the best and worst aspects of human nature.
From social media obsession to artificial intelligence to virtual reality, Black Mirror confronts viewers with uncomfortable truths about our relationship with technology. Just as Severance season two was wrapping up, Netflix announced the seventh season, featuring another all-star cast, is set to premiere April 10th. In the meantime, you can delve into the six previous seasons for a dose of technologically induced dread.
4. Westworld (Available for Rent or Purchase)
While its future remains uncertain, the first four seasons of Westworld are a masterclass in science fiction television. The HBO series explores a world where incredibly realistic robots, known as "hosts," populate theme parks designed to fulfill the fantasies of wealthy visitors. As the hosts gain sentience, they begin to question their reality and rebel against their human creators.
Westworld shares Severance’s exploration of artificial intelligence, corporate control, and the nature of consciousness. Its imaginative settings and stellar cast, including Evan Rachel Wood, Jeffrey Wright, and Thandiwe Newton, contribute to its immersive experience. However, note that HBO removed Westworld from its streaming service, requiring rental or purchase on platforms like Prime Video or physical media to experience the series.
5. Fingernails (Apple TV+)
For a more romantic, yet still unsettling, take on technology and relationships, Fingernails offers a unique perspective. Set in a world where a scientific test can supposedly determine true love, this Apple TV+ film explores the complexities of relationships in the face of technological intervention. Jessie Buckley stars as Anna, who takes a job at the Love Institute, the very company administering the test. There, she questions her own relationship, and the validity of the institute’s methods.
Fingernails shares Severance’s focus on a workplace setting and raises questions about the impact of technology on human connection and free will.
6. Coherence (Peacock, Prime Video)
If you enjoyed the mind-bending twists and turns of Severance, Coherence is a must-watch. This low-budget science fiction thriller unfolds during a dinner party where a passing comet causes reality to fracture, resulting in multiple versions of the guests appearing from parallel universes.
Coherence demonstrates that you don’t need a massive budget to tell a gripping and original story. It’s a perfect choice for those who found themselves captivated by the Helly R. twist, this film explores the unpredictable consequences of fractured realities.
7. The One I Love (Prime Video – Streaming Free with Ads)
The One I Love offers a surreal and intimate exploration of a struggling marriage. Mark Duplass and Elisabeth Moss star as a couple who embark on a romantic getaway in an attempt to rekindle their relationship. However, their retreat takes a bizarre turn when they encounter doppelgangers of themselves, leading to confusion and unexpected self-discovery.
While not as overtly sci-fi as some other entries on this list, The One I Love shares Severance’s exploration of identity and the complexities of relationships. Ted Danson’s presence as the couple’s therapist adds an extra layer of intrigue.
8. Bliss (Prime Video)
Owen Wilson and Salma Hayek star in this Prime Video film from director Mike Cahill that offers a romantic and thought-provoking take on the simulation theory. Greg (Wilson) is down on his luck when he meets Isabel (Hayek), a mysterious woman who believes they are living in a computer simulation. As Greg delves deeper into Isabel’s world, he begins to question the nature of reality and the true meaning of happiness.
Bliss explores similar themes to Severance, prompting viewers to ponder the nature of reality, the allure of escapism, and the importance of appreciating the present moment.
While these shows and movies may not perfectly replicate the unique blend of mystery, satire, and existential dread that Severance offers, they provide a welcome distraction and a chance to explore similar themes and ideas. So, grab your snacks, dim the lights, and prepare to dive into a world of mind-bending entertainment. The Lumon withdrawal might be tough, but these offerings might just help you survive until season three (fingers crossed) arrives.
