The enigmatic world of Lumon Industries, as depicted in Apple TV Plus’s sci-fi thriller Severance, revolves around a brightly lit office space where employees engage in seemingly mundane yet strangely compelling tasks on unique computer terminals. The show’s central mystery lies in the nature of this work, described as both important and confidential, yet presented as a digitized version of Minesweeper with a twist. The employees, or "severed" workers, are tasked with identifying and isolating numbers that evoke a sense of unease or "scariness," a subjective criterion that adds to the intrigue and ambiguity of their roles. The actors themselves mirror this experience, interacting with functional props that require them to manipulate pixelated numbers on screen, adding a layer of authenticity to the on-screen portrayal of the work. This hands-on interaction with the technology allows the actors to embody the confusion and uncertainty of their characters, who are equally clueless about the true purpose of their actions.
The design of these computers is crucial to the show’s aesthetic and narrative. They are the brainchild of prop master Cath Miller and production designer Jeremy Hindle, who envisioned a playful yet unsettling interface for these severed workers, individuals whose work lives are entirely separate from their outside existence. The design intentionally evokes a sense of childlike simplicity, contrasting sharply with the complex and potentially sinister nature of Lumon’s operations. The terminals, featuring a blend of vintage and modern elements, incorporate a touchscreen monitor and a keyboard with an integrated trackball, creating a unique and slightly disorienting user experience. This intentional awkwardness in the ergonomics of the devices further contributes to the feeling of unease and alienation experienced by the severed employees, highlighting the disconnect between their work and any real-world understanding.
For Adam Scott, who plays the central character Mark and also serves as a producer on the show, interacting with these custom-built computers was a nostalgic experience, reminiscent of the Apple IIe computers of his youth. However, the Lumon terminals, while visually familiar, possess a distinct otherness that contributes to the show’s unsettling atmosphere. The unusual placement of buttons and the unique interface create a sense of unfamiliarity and challenge for the users, mirroring the characters’ struggle to comprehend their tasks within the confines of Lumon’s secretive environment. This deliberate design choice enhances the surreal and disorienting nature of the severed floor, where familiar technology is twisted into something both intriguing and unsettling.
The functionality of the computers plays a significant role in enhancing the actors’ performances. Unlike typical on-screen interactions with technology, where interfaces are often simulated or inactive, the Severance actors actively engage with the computers, developing their own strategies and interpretations of the tasks. This hands-on interaction allows them to connect more deeply with their characters’ experiences, mirroring the confusion and lack of context that define the severed workers’ lives within Lumon. By actually performing the digital tasks, the actors can embody the ambiguity and uncertainty of their roles, strengthening the portrayal of their characters’ disconnection from the true nature of their work.
This interactive element is particularly crucial given the central mystery of Severance. The characters, like the audience, are kept in the dark about the true purpose of their work, tasked with identifying "scary" numbers without any understanding of the criteria or the consequences. This lack of context is mirrored by the actors’ own experience with the functional props, allowing them to genuinely portray the bewilderment and disorientation of their characters. The actors’ engagement with the technology becomes a form of method acting, allowing them to inhabit the characters’ psychological state and portray the unsettling nature of their work with greater authenticity.
The ability to physically manipulate the numbers on screen, to develop personal strategies and interpretations of the task, becomes a vital tool for the actors. It allows them to imbue their performances with the same sense of searching and questioning that their characters experience. The seemingly arbitrary nature of the work, coupled with the strange technology and the secretive environment, creates a pervasive sense of unease and uncertainty that the actors effectively convey through their interactions with the functional props. This blurring of lines between actor and character, facilitated by the tangible interaction with the technology, enriches the narrative and amplifies the show’s unsettling atmosphere. The computers, therefore, become more than just props; they become integral to the storytelling, reflecting the core themes of disconnection, manipulation, and the search for meaning within a controlled and enigmatic environment.
