Ben Stiller On Severance: Lumon Industries And The Apple Comparison

Chloe Fitzgerald

5 min read

Post on May 17, 2025

4.1

Share

Ben Stiller's Vision and the Dystopian Workplace of Severance

Ben Stiller, known for his comedic roles, masterfully crafts a dystopian workplace in Severance. His directorial choices contribute significantly to the show’s unsettling atmosphere.

Creating a believable and unsettling corporate environment:

• Set Design: The minimalist, sterile aesthetic of Lumon Industries, with its stark white spaces and geometric architecture, creates a sense of coldness and isolation. This stark design is reminiscent of many modern corporate offices, adding to the show's realism.
• Color Palette: The predominantly muted color scheme, punctuated by occasional pops of bright, unnatural colors, further enhances the unsettling feeling. This controlled palette contributes to the sense of manufactured reality within Lumon.
• Music: The show's unsettling score, often featuring dissonant chords and unsettling melodies, underscores the oppressive atmosphere and the employees’ psychological distress. The music subtly heightens the tension and unease.
• Specific Scenes: The unnerving waffle party, the mandatory "Overtime Contingency," and the chilling "break room" sequences all contribute to the oppressive nature of Lumon Industries, showcasing the dehumanizing aspects of the corporate environment.

Stiller’s reputation for comedy is cleverly juxtaposed against the show’s serious, often disturbing tone. This contrast amplifies the unnerving realism of the corporate setting and the psychological manipulation inherent in Lumon's practices. The shift from his comedic background to this darkly comedic and unsettling drama highlights the disturbing potential of seemingly benign corporate structures.

The Apple Comparison: Surface-Level Aesthetics and Underlying Control

The Apple comparison in Severance isn't merely superficial; it delves into the subtle ways both Lumon Industries and Apple exert control.

Lumon's minimalist design and Apple's branding:

The sleek, modern workspace of Lumon Industries bears a striking resemblance to the minimalist aesthetic cultivated by Apple. Both companies prioritize clean lines, muted colors, and a sense of technological sophistication. (Insert image comparing Lumon's office space with an Apple store interior here). This visual similarity isn't accidental; it underscores the show's commentary on the allure and potential dangers of technologically advanced corporate environments. The visual similarities highlight how seemingly positive branding can mask darker underlying practices.

Subtlety of Control: Beyond the polished surface:

Both Lumon and Apple exert significant control, albeit through different means. Lumon uses the "severance" procedure to separate employees’ work and personal lives, while Apple controls its users through its ecosystem and data collection practices.

• Data Privacy: Both entities collect vast amounts of data, raising ethical concerns about surveillance and the potential for misuse of personal information. The show subtly highlights the normalization of intrusive technology, echoing concerns about the increasing encroachment on privacy by tech giants.
• Employee/User Control: Lumon employs manipulative techniques to control its employees' behavior and thoughts. Similarly, Apple's carefully designed ecosystem subtly influences user behavior and purchasing decisions. The "walled garden" approach of many tech companies mirrors Lumon's closed-off and controlled environment.

The Psychological Manipulation in Severance and the Ethics of Tech Giants

Severance explores the dark side of corporate power and the ethical implications of advanced technology.

The "severance" procedure and the implications for worker autonomy:

The show's central premise, the "severance" procedure, highlights the erosion of worker autonomy. By surgically separating employees' memories and personalities, Lumon strips them of their individuality and agency outside of the workplace. This parallels ethical concerns about tech companies’ use of algorithms to manipulate user behavior and potentially erode individual choice. The show raises questions about what constitutes fair working conditions in a technologically advanced world.

The blurring lines between work and personal life in the modern digital age:

The pervasiveness of technology has blurred the lines between work and personal life, creating a constant state of "always-on" connectivity. This echoes the themes explored in Severance, where the lines between an employee's "innie" and "outie" are deliberately blurred and manipulated. This constant accessibility can contribute to technology addiction, burnout, and an overall negative impact on mental health and work-life balance. The show serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of unchecked technological advancement and its influence on our well-being.

Conclusion: Ben Stiller, Severance, and the Unsettling Reflection of Modern Tech

Severance, masterfully directed by Ben Stiller, offers a chillingly accurate portrayal of a dystopian workplace. The striking similarities between Lumon Industries and the practices of major tech companies like Apple raise serious questions about corporate control, data privacy, and the ethical implications of technological advancement. The show serves as a stark warning about the potential consequences of unchecked corporate power and the subtle ways technology can be used to manipulate individuals.

Watch Severance and consider the unsettling Lumon Industries comparison in your own life. Do you see parallels between the show’s fictional corporation and the real-world practices of tech giants? Share your thoughts on this Apple comparison and your Severance analysis in the comments below. Let's discuss Lumon Industries critique and the broader implications of Apple and technology ethics.