POPZ-CULTURE Series Reviews – Severance Season 1 & 2 (2022-2025)

Genre: Thriller, sci-fi

Rated: 16

Directed by: Aoife McArdle, Ben Stiller

Written by: Dan Ericson

Starring: Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry

After a three-year break, another successful series has returned to streaming to ensure that home entertainment fans are not left without content. The conclusion of the first season alone left a lot of questions unanswered, but the sequel has added even more twists to the already complex storyline of Severance.

Mark (Adam Scott) has no difficulty separating work and personal life, as he has a unique workplace where a surgical procedure has essentially done it for him. Part of his personality is working in the office, and when the shift is over, a part of him is activated that has nothing to do but enjoy his free time. There is no passage between the parts of the self, and no memory to disturb this artificial balance. One day, however, a grain of sand gets into the machinery.

Severance is a sophisticated sci-fi thriller that makes the most of its creative, thought-provoking premise. After two seasons, the plot remains exciting, even if the story moves forward slowly. All the main characters are very realistic and believable, and the dialogues between them do not have a ‘scripted’ feel at all. That is why, while watching the series, we were curious about the background mystery, the thriller thread, but getting to know the characters was even more enjoyable. The other big plus was the visuals. The monotonous, depressing, grey milieu of Lumon Industries was brilliantly created with the greenish-blue-white colour scheme, the uniform corridors reminiscent of a labyrinth, and the monochrome displays of the cathode-ray tube monitors. A coherent, well considered atmospheric design defines the whole series.

A common mistake in mystery series is to ask the audience too many questions at once, to obscure too many details. The more patient can remember what they have seen, but if they are frustrated in the short term by not understanding what is going on, they can easily lose their enthusiasm. This is the feeling we had with the second season. A more gentle dose of mystery would have made the episodes easier for us to enjoy. The previously mentioned strengths were enough to keep us going, but they will not be enough for the sequel.

Severance became even more complicated and mysterious for the second season. Its rating will depend largely on how much its viewers like watching something that prompts them to investigate. Those who like twisty, unpredictable stories may find it a real treat, while others may find it boring after a few episodes. Give it a try and see if you get lucky, and it meets your taste.

Have you seen Severance? How did you like it? We welcome your thoughts in the comments. We’ll have more recommendations coming soon, covering both theatrical and streaming premieres. Watch lots of films and series, and if you like what you read, please share our posts with others. And if you’re in the mood for a tasty movie and series-watching snack, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.