Featuring top-notch writing and striking cinematography that evokesStanley Kubrick’s unmatched work,Severancehas become a fan-favorite series in the science fiction genre ever since its release on Apple TV, establishing itself as one of the best original series on the streaming service. Over time, theDan Ericksonseries collected many accolades and even earned Emmy nominations, which is not shocking considering its astounding quality.
Whilea new season is underway, many fans may find themselves in need of filling theSeverance-shapedhole in their hearts. As such,we look back at some of the best movies likeSeverance, ranging from existentialist psychological dramas likePersonato thought-provoking science fiction romance tales such asEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and examine what makes each worth the watch.
13’eXistenZ' (1999)
Directed by David Cronenberg
StarringJude LawandJennifer Jason Leighin the lead roles,eXistenZis an absorbing science fiction film following a video game designer on the run from assassins who must play her latest virtual reality creation with a marketing trainee to determine if the game has been damaged.
Through its creative premise,David Cronenberg’s captivating science-fiction horror movie paints a scary near-future scenario and examines corporate espionage and mind control, analyzing the virtual reality of the world of video games and its consequences on the outside world. While perhaps not the finest film in the category,eXistenZis a thoughtful exploration of the relationship between human beings and virtual reality, questioning the concept of reality, just likeSeverance.
12’Total Recall' (1990)
Directed by Paul Verhoeven
Total Recallfollows the story of a construction worker, Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger), on a futuristic version of Earth. Quaid receives an implanted memory, which allows him to experience a thrilling adventure on Mars and confront his tumultuous past. The story is a political thriller that highlights an ordinary man who finds himself confronting a Martian dictator, Vilos Cohaagen (Ronny Cox).Total Recallis based onPhilip K. Dick’s short story, “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale”.
LikeSeverance,Total Recallfollows ordinary people with hijacked memories. Both stories feature characters who are charming and easy to love in their own ways as they question their own realities.SeveranceandTotal Recallare thrilling because they feature stories of characters who have to figure out who they are. Additionally, both stories are meditations on how tyrannical forces can take advantage of chaos. –Justine Kraemer
Total Recall
When a man goes in to have virtual vacation memories of the planet Mars implanted in his mind, an unexpected and harrowing series of events forces him to go to the planet for real - or is he?
11’Mulholland Drive' (2001)
Directed by David Lynch
Mulholland Drive, a mystery thriller that follows an amnesiac woman (Laura Harring) in the aftermath of escaping a car crash, remains one ofDavid Lynch’s most iconic works. The story centers around the disoriented Rita, who meets an aspiring Hollywood actor (Naomi Watts), with whom she joins forces in the search for clues and answers across Los Angeles, marking the beginning of a journey beyond dreams and reality.
It’s not surprising thatMulholland Drivehas gathereda huge cult following from sci-fi fansover the years — Lynch’s incredible film is a stunning showcase of his talents, perfectly illustrating what is so dreamy and haunting about the director’s unforgettable features. Although the themes it tackles are distinct,Mulholland Driveis a bit likeSeverancein that it provides audiences with an intriguing, dream-like, and surrealist atmospherethat can even feel unsettling at times.
Mulholland Drive
After a car wreck on the winding Mulholland Drive renders a woman amnesiac, she and a perky Hollywood-hopeful search for clues and answers across Los Angeles in a twisting venture beyond dreams and reality.
10'1984' (1984)
Directed by Michael Radford
1984is based onGeorge Orwell’s classic dystopian novel of the same name. The story chronicles the life ofWinston Smith, played by John Hurt, a low-level civil servant in a futuristic, dystopian world. The movie explores themes of authoritarianism and how people maintain a sense of individuality when confronted with this type of oppression.1984follows Winston’s journey to hold onto his sense of reality when the powers that be try to disrupt it.
Severanceand1984are both examples of mind-bending stories that will have viewers questioning their own perception of what’s really happening. While1984may be a little closer to home as a story as a commentary on historical tyrannical governments, both stories pose questions about how people handle living in such controlled conditions.Severanceand1984spotlight compelling characters who are all easy to invest in as they navigate their twisted realities. –Justine Kraemer
9’The Lobster' (2015)
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
Yorgos Lanthimos' tale of societal pressure features one ofColin Farrell’s best roles to date. Set in a dystopian future, it explores an innovative concept: single people are taken to The Hotel, where they are obliged to find a romantic partner in 45 days, or else they’re transformed into the beast of their choice and sent off into The Woods.
While other films by Lanthimos, such asDogtooth, are also worth checking out for anyone who enjoys the series,The Lobster’s surrealist setting and shocking narrative resemblesSeverance’s complex plotand is very likely to appeal to the enthusiasts of the science fiction television show. Anchored by great performances, deadpan humor — a characteristic trait in the filmmaker’s work — and a sharp screenplay,The Lobsteris definitely worth one’s attention.
The Lobster
In a dystopian near future, according to the laws of The City, single people are taken to The Hotel, where they are obliged to find a romantic partner in 45 days or they’re transformed into beasts and sent off into The Woods.
8’Memento' (2001)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Mementois a psychological thriller that follows a man experiencing short-term memory loss. Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) uses an intricate system of pictures, handwritten notes, and tattoos to piece together the truth about his identity. Along the way, he also attempts to solve the mystery of who killed his wife.Mementois filled with mind-bending twistsas Shelby uses only his wits to help him get to the bottom of his own story.
MementoandSeverancefeature protagonists who search for clues about their identities. Both stories offer wildly different perspectives on their main characters and leave it to viewers to piece things together as the story progresses. Leonard and Mark are also similar in that they are both willing to challenge their realities in the name of finding the truth. These two protagonists are motivated by love and a sense of justice to find the truth of their existence. –Justine Kraemer
A man with short-term memory loss attempts to track down his wife’s murderer.
7’Synecdoche, New York' (2008)
Directed by Charlie Kaufman
This postmodern psychological drama byCharlie Kaufmancenters on a movie theater director, played by the talented latePhilip Seymour Hoffman, who tries to balance his work and his relationships with the women in his life while creating a life-size replica of New York City inside a warehouse as part of his new play.
Kaufman’s play-within-a-play plot mirrorsSeverance’s trippy concept of the “outie” and “innie” worlds quite well. Meditating about life and death, Kaufman’s directorial debutSynecdoche, New Yorkblurs the line between fiction and reality, providing audiences with an intellectually stimulating narrative elevated by top-notch acting efforts. Furthermore, the movie’s titular figure of speech could easily be applied to the television series for the way it depicts a “synecdoche” life within a life.
Synecdoche, New York
6’Being John Malkovich' (1999)
Directed by Spike Jonze
Spike Jonze’s bizarre, absurdist masterpiecewritten by Kaufman(both making their feature film debut) may not appeal to everyone’s taste. However, those who enjoy out-of-the-box, trippy premises probably want to give this a watch.Being John Malkovichtells the unconventional story of a puppeteer (John Cusack) who discovers a portal that leads literally into the head of the movie starJohnMalkovich.
Jonze’s intriguing and existentialist Oscar-nominated movie — it earned nods for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress — delves deep into the dehumanization of celebrities while also focusing on the desire of wanting to be someone else other than yourself.LikeSeverance, which also provides audiences with an immersive and surrealist plot,Being John Malkovichanalyzes identity in an intriguing manner, shedding light on alienation in the meantime.
Being John Malkovich
Being John Malkovich is a 1999 surreal comedy that tells the story of puppeteer Craig Schwartz (John Cusack), who discovers a portal that leads directly into the mind of real-life actor John Malkovich. Directed by Spike Jonze and featuring an all-star cast that includes Cameron Diaz and Catherine Keener, the film explores themes of identity, obsession, and the blurred lines between reality and fiction.
5’Sorry to Bother You' (2018)
Directed by Boots Riley
Sorry to Bother Youis a dark workplace comedy that chronicles the experiences of a Black telemarketer,Cassius “Cash” Green (LaKeith Stanfield), who uses a white voice to rise through the ranks of his job. When Cassius' bosses take note of his work, he is shown the corporate underbelly of his job and has to choose between standing with his fellow workers or joining his bosses, who prioritize profit over people.
Sorry to Bother YouandSeveranceuse unsettling workplaces to comment on modern American workplace culture. For those who appreciateSeverance’s use of dark humor and lovable characters to illustrate the wild nature of corporate America,Sorry to Bother Youoffers similar critiques. The characters in both of these stories are faced with the choice of showing solidarity with their fellow workers or staying silent as corporate greed continues unchecked. –Justine Kraemer
Sorry to Bother You
4’Persona' (1967)
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
It’s not for no reason that this avant-garde psychological drama byIngmar Bergmanremains an essential that all film fans should watch at least once (and is often studied in film class). Starting with its incredible directing and top-notch performances byBibiAnderssonandLivUllmannin the lead roles, there is a lot to love aboutPersona. The story centers around a nurse who is put in charge of a mute actress and finds that their personae are melding together.
PersonaresemblesSeverancein that it explores identity, disassociation, and the merging of two different personalities quite well. From the writing to the stunning black-and-white cinematography, there are tons of great aspects of this Bergman masterpiece. However, its examination of duality makes it a thought-provoking and stimulating existentialist movie which may appeal to fans of the beloved series for all the right reasons.
