This review is based on advanced screeners of the first 6 episodes of Severance Season 2.
Severance Season 1 finale was the most nerve-wrecking experience I have had watching a piece of media. Whenever I think about it, Mark S’s last sentence “Devon, she is alive” echoes in my head. I don’t remember being this affected by a finale where the wait for the next season was almost unbearable.
Now that Season 2 is here, I can confidently say it lives up to the high expectations set by the first season and adds new layers to the story in ways that are both exciting and unexpected. The first six episodes of this season strike a great balance: they answer some of the key questions from Season 1, while also adding more layers of mystery, keeping the story fresh and the mystery of Lumon alive. If you’re worried that the story will just repeat itself, don’t be — Season 2 moves forward.
The opening of the season immediately pulls us into the mystery. It begins with Mark S. stepping out of the elevator, disoriented and running, only to be met by Mr. Milchick, who informs him that five months have passed. The conspiracy begins right there and then, and with it comes a flood of questions. Has it truly been five months? Can Lumon’s version of events ever be trusted? The uncertainty is not just confined to the innies; even as the audience, we are left in the dark, questioning the reliability of everything presented to us.
The disorientation we feel as viewers is entirely intentional and one of the season’s biggest strengths. It highlights the skillful writing and direction that place us in a constant state of uncertainty. We’re meant to share the same doubts and questions as Mark S. and the other innies. This feeling is especially strong as the aftermath of the Overtime Contingency hangs over every scene. The missing time, cryptic clues, and unanswered questions keep us as eager for answers as the characters themselves. For me, this sense of being guided — almost manipulated — by the creators is a thrilling experience. There is something uniquely satisfying about being placed so intentionally in a character’s shoes, and feeling the weight of their decisions and the uncertainty of their world.
One of the standouts of the season is Andrew Scott’s performance as Mark Scout and Mark S. I found myself almost mesmerized by his facial expressions. There’s a certain darkness to them — we’re watching a tortured character and an innie plagued by revelations and a life that feels almost like imprisonment.
John Turturro was another standout for me. While his outie remains quite mysterious, it’s his innie that truly resonated with me. He’s a man who discovered the person he loves is married and happy in the outside world, only to be forced back into Lumon with that painful knowledge. The heartbreak is written all over his face, and it’s impossible not to feel his struggle.
Severance Season 2 is a visual masterpiece, where every element — acting, direction, and design — comes together to create an incredibly immersive experience. Season 2 lives up to expectations set by Season 1, and in many ways, it surpasses it. The season is packed with genuinely thrilling moments that will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you thinking long after the credits roll. The cinematography is particularly striking. Its minimalist style is both soothing and unsettling. The sterile, almost clinical look of the show serves to heighten the sense of control and precision.
Severance Season 2 will premiere on Apple TV on January 17.
