Severance's Lumon Industries: A Look At The Apple Comparison By Ben Stiller

Chloe Fitzgerald

4 min read

Post on May 17, 2025

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The Aesthetic Similarities: Minimalism and Technological Control

Lumon's Design and Apple's Product Aesthetics

Lumon Industries' workspace is characterized by clean lines, a minimalist design, and muted color palettes. This stark aesthetic is strikingly similar to Apple's signature style, evident in its retail stores and product design. The deliberate absence of clutter and the focus on streamlined functionality create a sense of controlled order.

• Lumon's sterile design: Consider the stark break room, the uniformly designed office spaces, and the minimalist furniture. The environment feels both modern and strangely unsettling.
• Apple's design philosophy: Compare this to the clean lines and uncluttered design of Apple retail stores, the simplicity of their product packaging, and the overall feeling of refined minimalism in their product design.
• Seamless technological integration: In both Lumon and Apple's spaces, technology is seamlessly integrated into the environment, enhancing the sense of control and efficiency, although with very different implications.

Technological Integration and Surveillance

Lumon Industries employs pervasive technology to monitor and control its employees. This raises concerns about employee privacy and the potential for manipulation, echoing anxieties surrounding Apple's data collection and privacy practices.

• Lumon's technology: The severance procedure itself, the omnipresent screens displaying company information and employee performance, and the sophisticated monitoring systems all contribute to this feeling of constant surveillance.
• Apple's ecosystem: Apple's vast ecosystem of interconnected devices collects a significant amount of user data. While this data is used to personalize experiences and improve products, concerns remain about data privacy and the potential for misuse.
• Ethical implications: Both Lumon and Apple raise ethical questions about the balance between technological advancement, user experience, and the protection of individual privacy. The show forces us to contemplate the potential downsides of ubiquitous technological integration.

Corporate Culture: Control, Secrecy, and Employee Wellbeing (or Lack Thereof)

Cult-like Atmosphere and Brand Loyalty

Lumon Industries fosters an intense brand loyalty and unquestioning obedience among its employees, reflecting, albeit in a distorted way, the devoted fan base of Apple products. This "cult-like" atmosphere is achieved through manipulation and control.

• Lumon's manipulative practices: The wellness programs, which seem designed to control and pacify employees, and the "Overtime Contingency," which encourages overwork and dedication, are prime examples.
• Apple's marketing and customer loyalty: Apple cultivates a strong sense of brand loyalty through its carefully crafted marketing strategies, creating a community around its products. However, this differs vastly from Lumon's coercive methods.
• Potential for manipulation: The comparison highlights the potential for manipulation within corporate structures, regardless of how seemingly benign the initial intentions might be.

Secrecy and Corporate Transparency (or Lack Thereof)

Lumon Industries operates with extreme secrecy, mirroring criticisms levied at Apple regarding its business practices. The lack of transparency creates an atmosphere of distrust and uncertainty.

• Lumon's secrecy: The nature of Lumon's work is shrouded in mystery, and the severance procedure itself is a closely guarded secret. This secrecy fuels paranoia and reinforces the company's control.
• Apple's secrecy: Apple is notoriously secretive about its product development and internal operations. While some secrecy is necessary for competitive advantage, it can also lead to a lack of transparency and accountability.
• Ethical implications of corporate secrecy: Both cases raise ethical questions about the appropriate level of secrecy in corporate operations and the need for accountability to employees and the public.

Ben Stiller's Directorial Style and Apple's Brand Image

The Role of Visual Storytelling

Ben Stiller's directorial choices are instrumental in creating the controlled sterility of Lumon, mirroring the carefully crafted brand image of Apple.

• Directorial techniques: The use of muted colors, specific camera angles emphasizing the geometric shapes of the architecture, and the meticulously designed sets all contribute to the show's unsettling atmosphere.
• Apple's marketing and branding: Apple's marketing campaigns are renowned for their visual elegance and their ability to create a sense of aspiration and exclusivity.
• Mood and atmosphere: Both Lumon and Apple's brand image strive to create a specific mood and atmosphere, though one is clearly dystopian and the other aspirational. The comparison reveals the power of visual storytelling in shaping perceptions.

Conclusion

While fictional, Lumon Industries in Severance serves as a compelling, if unsettling, reflection of certain aspects of corporate culture and technological advancement, mirroring anxieties surrounding companies like Apple. The show’s success lies in its ability to extrapolate these anxieties into a visually stunning and psychologically gripping narrative. The parallels between Lumon and Apple, though not exact, encourage critical examination of corporate power, employee well-being, and the ethical implications of technological control. By understanding the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways Lumon mimics real-world corporations, we gain a deeper appreciation for the show's commentary and its enduring relevance. Continue the conversation on Lumon Industries and its insightful commentary on modern corporate culture.