not only draws inspiration from a well-known dark TV show but also brings a positive spin to its ideas with season 2's ending. Created by Dan Erickson, Apple TV+'s Severance is an original series and does not directly adapt any books or existing works. However, viewers might have noticed that many of its story beats and sci-fi concepts seem familiar. For instance, Severance's exploration of memory alteration and its impact on one's identity seems similar to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind's narrative and thematic elements.
Similarly, while watching Severance, many viewers may also be reminded of other movies like The Truman Show, Office Space, and Being John Malkovich. Interestingly, as the Apple TV+ sci-fi show's creator, Dan Erickson, has confirmed, Severance also heavily draws from a highly acclaimed dark Netflix series.
Severance's creator, Dan Erickson, has cited many shows, movies, and pop culture phenomena as the inspiration behind the sci-fi series. In an interview (via NY Times), he revealed that Black Mirror's "White Christmas" episode was one of the key inspirations behind the series. The showrunner recalled that while Lost and The Twilight Zone were reference points for the show, .
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In Severance season 2's ending moments, Mark makes one crucial decision that only affects his outie but also significantly impacts Gemma and Helly.
After watching "White Christmas," Erickson recounted feeling "cold and afraid" at the idea of experiencing "endless solitude." Just like the digital clones in "White Christmas" are trapped in the digital realm and forced to work as slaves to their human counterparts, Erickson seemingly tried to capture how the innies were forced to do something similar for their outies. He even tried to show the endless loops experienced by digital clones from "White Christmas" in the season 1 moment where Helly keeps finding herself back in the Lumon building despite her best efforts to leave from the stairway door.
| Created By | Dan Erickson |
| Rotten Tomatoes Critics' Score | 96% |
| Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score | 78% |
| Streaming On | Apple TV+ |
Although the Black Mirror episode unfolds more like a crime thriller and is less of a satire on white-collar jobs, it makes sense that Severance drew inspiration from it. Both explore similar themes of identity and the human desire for freedom and affection. The Black Mirror episode and Severance also share some common ground when it comes to their .
Black Mirror's "White Christmas" episode portrays a world where digital clones of humans are forced to live like slaves to their human counterparts. Since they also share the same memories as their human versions, the clones also face the consequences of the crimes and morally skewed actions of their original selves. The Black Mirror episode ends before any digital clones are able to find freedom.
By showing how the previously enslaved innies finally land a massive win against their outies, Severance season 2's ending upturns Black Mirror's portrayal of the tragic lives of the digital clones.
Although the innies, too, experience many atrocities in Severance and are often at the mercy of their outies, they gradually build their own sense of identity in the show's season 2. Towards Severance season 2's ending, . By showing how the previously enslaved innies finally land a massive win against their outies, Severance season 2's ending upturns Black Mirror's portrayal of the tragic lives of the digital clones.
