Ben Stiller On Severance: The Lumon Industries-Apple Parallel

Aria Freeman

5 min read

Post on May 17, 2025

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Ben Stiller's Directorial Influence on Severance's Corporate Aesthetic

Ben Stiller's directorial hand is undeniably imprinted on Severance's unsettling atmosphere. He meticulously crafted a visual language that subtly, yet powerfully, mirrors the clean, minimalist aesthetic often associated with Apple's branding. This stylistic choice is far from accidental; it contributes significantly to the show's overall unnerving effect.

• Color Palettes: The muted, often sterile color palettes employed throughout the show, particularly in the Lumon offices, evoke a sense of cold, clinical efficiency reminiscent of Apple's product design.
• Set Design: The stark, minimalist office spaces, with their geometric shapes and lack of personal touches, create a feeling of depersonalization and corporate control, subtly mirroring the often-praised but potentially isolating design of Apple's offices.
• Costumes: The uniform-like attire of Lumon employees further emphasizes the lack of individuality and the strict conformity expected within the company structure, drawing parallels to the perceived uniformity expected within some tech cultures.
• Dystopian Undertones: Stiller's direction amplifies the show's dystopian undertones, using visual cues to create a sense of unease and subtle menace, mirroring anxieties surrounding the ever-increasing influence of technology in our lives. This feeling is further enhanced through the use of close-ups, unsettling camera angles, and meticulously crafted lighting.

Lumon Industries' Ominous Echo of Apple's Corporate Culture

The similarities between fictional Lumon Industries and real-world tech giants, particularly Apple, run deeper than just aesthetics. Lumon's rigidly hierarchical structure, emphasis on secrecy, and pressure-cooker environment find disturbing echoes in the often-discussed realities of working within some of the world's most powerful tech companies.

• Secrecy and Compartmentalization: Lumon's intense focus on secrecy and compartmentalization, preventing employees from understanding the bigger picture, mirrors the notoriously tight-lipped culture often associated with Apple, particularly regarding its internal workings and future projects.
• Power Dynamics: The clear power imbalance within Lumon, with management exerting absolute control over employees' lives, both inside and outside of work, reflects the hierarchical structures common in large tech corporations. The emphasis on upward mobility and competition creates a breeding ground for intense pressure.
• Productivity Pressure: The intense pressure to perform and maintain high levels of productivity, regardless of the human cost, is a common thread shared between Lumon and the demanding environments often reported in highly competitive tech sectors. The relentless pursuit of efficiency often overshadows the well-being of the individual.

Technological Control: Severance's "Severance" Procedure and Apple's Technological Grip

The fictional "severance" procedure in Severance serves as a powerful metaphor for the ways technology controls and impacts our lives, with unsettling parallels to Apple's pervasive influence on modern society.

• Data Privacy and Surveillance: The invasive nature of the severance procedure, which separates an individual's work and personal life at a neurological level, raises concerns about data privacy and technological surveillance mirroring real anxieties around data collection and the potential for misuse of personal information.
• Technological Control: Lumon's use of technology to control its employees, monitoring their every move and thought, reflects how technology is increasingly integrated into every aspect of our lives, potentially eroding personal autonomy. Apple products, for example, collect a vast amount of user data.
• Technological Dependence: The show explores the anxieties surrounding technological dependence and the erosion of personal autonomy, issues increasingly relevant in our technologically saturated world. The "severance" procedure highlights the potential risks of allowing technology to control our minds and actions.

The Psychological Manipulation: Lumon and Apple's Influence on Employee Behavior

Lumon Industries employs sophisticated psychological manipulation to control its employees, prompting reflection on similar—though arguably less extreme—strategies potentially employed in some high-pressure corporate environments, including the tech industry.

• Rewards and Punishments: Lumon's use of rewards and punishments to shape employee behavior mirrors the carrot-and-stick approach often seen in competitive workplaces. The promise of success and the fear of failure can create a culture of compliance.
• Culture of Conformity: The creation of a culture of compliance and conformity within Lumon, stifling individuality and independent thought, echoes concerns about workplace pressures in tech companies that emphasize teamwork and adherence to a specific company culture.
• Mental Health Implications: The demanding and controlled work environment in Lumon highlights the potential mental health implications of such a system. The show indirectly comments on burnout, stress, and the ethical implications of prioritizing profit over employee well-being, which are also pressing concerns in the tech industry.

Conclusion

Severance, under Ben Stiller's direction, presents a chillingly accurate reflection of certain anxieties surrounding corporate power structures and technological control. The parallels between Lumon Industries and Apple, from their minimalist aesthetics to their emphasis on secrecy and control, are both striking and unsettling. The show serves as a potent cautionary tale, prompting reflection on the ethical considerations of technological advancements and the potential for abuse of power within corporate environments.

Dive deeper into the unsettling world of Severance and consider the implications of the Lumon Industries-Apple parallel. Explore the show further and engage in discussions about the ethical considerations of technological advancements and corporate power structures. Discuss the implications of the Severance - Apple parallel online! Use #SeveranceAppleParallel to join the conversation.