'Severance' Episode 1 & 2 Review: 'The Office' takes on an ominous, unsettling persona
Spoilers for 'Severance' Episode 1 'Good News About Hell' and Episode 2 'Half Loop'
'Severance', the newest thriller to hit screens just premiered its first two episodes on Apple TV+ with the show jumping straight into the mystery. Revolving around a sketchy procedure that alters memories, we will see the worker of a company unravel its sinister secrets.
The Apple TV+ thriller is directed by none other than the brilliant Ben Stiller and boasts of a stellar cast of Patricia Arquette, Christopher Walken, Adam Scott, and more that play the intriguing characters, so be assured that 'Severance' will deliver well in the acting department. Read on to know our thoughts on the new drama thriller that puts a spin on the work-life balance.
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The series starts off on an intriguing note as we see an unconscious woman lying on the table face side down. She wakes up in a locked room without any memories with the episode diving into the workings of the procedure called Severance that separates work memories and personal lives memories. We also see Mark clock into work with the starT setting up a very natural mood with the four workers chatting in their cubicles. But this setup which is reminiscent of 'The Office' soon reveals the intricacies and disturbing policies the workplace is hiding.
We are introduced to various characters out of which the head honcho Ms Cobel manages to captivate us the most. She is dominating, intimidating, and cold in her approach that she thinly veils behind her polite words and smile. Patricia Arquette shines in this role and is brilliant in her portrayal of this intriguing character. As the series proceeds, we learn about the rules set in place by Lumon Industries which are startlingly dictator-like and increasingly worrying. Add to it the factor of a character that managed to escape and is trying to share the truth, and the episodes manage to hold attention even further. Adam Scott does a solid job portraying Mark who is accepting of the situation but later in confusion about the potential truth behind the company. Another antagonistic character Milchick is fascinating as well as he hides his threatening nature under sweet words and praises. So far the antagonists are the ones that control the narrative and are the most captivating.
The brilliant Christopher Walken also makes a short appearance and we look forward to more of his character. The stark white, maze-like halls and neon room create a perfect environment of something that appears non-threatening but is quite bleak. Nothing is what it seems, with each and every corner housing secrets. This office is not your usual workplace with the eerie conditions just beginning to expose the dark truth.
Episodes 1 and 2 of 'Severance' are available to stream with new episodes to drop each Friday on Apple TV+.
