Office Nightmares: Dystopian workplace films, shows and novels to fill the ‘Severance’ void

Dollhouse (2009-2010)

Joss Whedon’s series centres on a secret organisation that imprints individuals with temporary personalities and skills, tailoring them for specific tasks. The “dolls” lead dual existences, their original identities suppressed—a concept that parallels the severed consciousness of Lumon’s employees.

The show’s exploration of identity, autonomy, and the ethics of manipulating human consciousness aligns closely with the themes in Severance. Plus, there's a fun connection: Dichen Lachman, who plays Ms. Casey (Gemma) in “Severance,” portrays Sierra, one of the dolls, in this series.

Devs (2020)

In this eerie tech-thriller, a young software engineer investigates a mysterious division of a cutting-edge tech company. Devs dives into themes of determinism, corporate secrecy, and existential dread, mirroring the tension and philosophical questions raised in the Apple TV+ series.

Office Space (1999)

A dark comedy that satirises the drudgery of white-collar work within a soulless corporation. While more lighthearted, its critique of monotonous office culture and the quest for personal freedom aligns with the existential questions posed in Severance.

Brazil (1985)

Directed by Terry Gilliam, Brazil is a satirical dystopian film set in a bureaucratic, totalitarian society. The protagonist, a low-level government employee, becomes entangled in a web of mistaken identity and resistance against the oppressive system.

The film’s retro-futuristic aesthetic and critique of bureaucratic inefficiency have influenced the visual and thematic elements of Severance.

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Westworld (2016-2022)

HBO’s Westworld explores artificial intelligence, consciousness, and free will through the lens of a high-tech theme park where lifelike robots (or “hosts”) are programmed to serve guests. As the hosts develop self-awareness, they grapple with their synthetic yet deeply personal existences, much like the employees at Lumon who live only at work.

Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke (2021)

A modern workplace satire told entirely through Slack messages, this novel follows Gerald, a PR employee who mysteriously finds his consciousness trapped in his company’s internal messaging system. While his colleagues assume it’s a joke, his bosses see his skyrocketing productivity as a win—mirroring Severance’s eerie indifference to its workers’ well-being. 

The Circle by Dave Eggers (2013)

In this novella, three employees find themselves performing monotonous tasks such as shredding paper and proofreading documents at a sprawling, enigmatic factory that seems to encompass every aspect of their lives. As they lose track of time and purpose, the story mirrors Severance’s exploration of the dehumanising effects of corporate culture and the blurring lines between personal identity and work. ​

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The Factory by Hiroko Oyamada (2013)

Three employees find themselves performing monotonous tasks like shredding papers and proofreading documents at a sprawling, enigmatic factory that seems to encompass every aspect of their lives. As they lose track of time and purpose, the story mirrors Severance’s exploration of the dehumanising effects of corporate culture and the blurring lines between personal identity and work. ​

Severance by Ling Ma (2018)

Not to be confused with the TV series, Ling Ma’s novel follows Candace Chen, an office worker navigating a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by the “Shen Fever.” 

The story critiques monotonous corporate culture and examines the human condition amidst societal collapse, offering a poignant reflection on modern work life.

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Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris (2007)

A darkly comedic take on office life, this novel chronicles the layoffs at a Chicago ad agency from the collective perspective of its employees. It captures the absurdity and bleak humour of corporate existence, offering a more grounded but still eerie take on workplace culture.

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