Ben Stiller On Severance: Parallels Between Lumon Industries And Apple's Corporate Structure

Axel S�rensen

4 min read

Post on May 17, 2025

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The Cult of Secrecy and Innovation

Lumon Industries thrives on secrecy, shrouding its innovative (and ethically dubious) "severance" procedure in an almost religious veil of confidentiality. This echoes Apple's famed culture of secrecy surrounding product development, a strategy that has fueled its reputation for groundbreaking technology. Both organizations prioritize proprietary information and the tight control of intellectual property above almost everything else.

• Lumon's "severance" procedure mirrors Apple's compartmentalized teams, preventing employees from having a complete picture of the company's overall operations. Information is carefully controlled and distributed on a "need-to-know" basis.
• Both organizations fiercely guard their intellectual property, viewing it as the cornerstone of their success and competitive advantage. Leaks are ruthlessly pursued, and employee loyalty is heavily incentivized.
• Apple’s legendary "iSecret" culture, where details about upcoming products are kept under wraps until their official unveiling, is a prime example of this protective strategy, similar to Lumon's extreme measures.

Hierarchical Structure and Employee Control

Lumon's rigid hierarchy dictates every aspect of its employees' lives, blurring the lines between work and personal identity through the "severance" procedure. This oppressive control resonates with critiques leveled against certain aspects of corporate structures like Apple's. While Apple doesn't employ the extreme measures of Lumon, the parallels in employee management and expectations are striking.

• Middle management plays a crucial role in both organizations, acting as gatekeepers of information and enforcers of company policy. The pressure to meet performance metrics and maintain a strict chain of command is evident in both fictional and real-world settings.
• The emphasis on productivity and efficiency, often at the expense of employee well-being, is a common theme. Burnout and alienation are potential outcomes in high-pressure environments, whether in the fictional world of Severance or the demanding reality of working for a major tech company.
• The potential for worker alienation exists in both environments, as employees can feel like cogs in a vast, impersonal machine, their individual contributions dwarfed by the overall corporate objectives.

The Allure of the "In-Group" and Corporate Identity

Lumon cultivates a strong sense of belonging and exclusivity among its employees, using perks and benefits to foster loyalty and create an "in-group" mentality. This mirrors the aspirational nature of working for a prestigious company like Apple, which boasts a strong brand identity and attracts top talent with its reputation and generous compensation packages.

• Both Lumon and Apple utilize company perks and benefits – from wellness programs to competitive salaries – to cultivate loyalty and retain their employees. These perks contribute to the allure and the creation of a desirable work environment.
• The aspirational nature of working for either organization is significant. Landing a job at Lumon or Apple represents a certain level of achievement, creating a sense of pride and belonging among those who secure such positions.
• However, the intense focus on corporate identity can have downsides. It can lead to the suppression of individuality and an overwhelming sense of pressure to conform to the company's culture, sometimes at the expense of personal well-being.

Ben Stiller's Directorial Choices and Their Significance

Ben Stiller's direction in Severance is not merely technical; it’s a powerful statement about corporate culture. His stylistic choices amplify the unsettling realism of the show, highlighting the parallels between Lumon and real-world corporations.

• The stark, minimalist aesthetic of Lumon's offices, coupled with the unnervingly uniform attire of the employees, visually reinforces the theme of corporate control and the suppression of individuality.
• The color palette, dominated by muted tones and sterile whites, contributes to the overall feeling of coldness and detachment, reflecting the emotional distance between employees and the corporation.
• Stiller's direction subtly guides the audience towards a critical examination of the power dynamics within the workplace, prompting reflection on the potential consequences of unchecked corporate ambition.

Conclusion

Ben Stiller's Severance offers a chillingly accurate reflection on modern corporate culture, highlighting the unsettling similarities between the fictional Lumon Industries and real-world giants like Apple. From the cult of secrecy surrounding innovation to the rigid hierarchical structures and the cultivation of strong corporate identities, the parallels are striking and thought-provoking. The show serves as a potent reminder of the potential ethical dilemmas inherent in the pursuit of profit and technological advancement. Dive deeper into the unsettling world of Severance and explore the chilling parallels between Lumon Industries and other tech giants – let's discuss the implications in the comments below! #Severance #Apple #BenStiller #CorporateCulture #LumonIndustries