#FIRSTLOOK: “SEVERANCE” RENEWED FOR SECOND SEASON

SEVERANCE will be back for a second season, as confirmed today by Apple TV+! The first season of the hit Series directed and produced by Ben Stiller concludes this Friday.

Synopsis:

In “Severance,” Mark Scout (Adam Scott) leads a team at Lumon Industries, whose employees have undergone a severance procedure, which surgically divides their memories between their work and personal lives. This daring experiment in ‘work-life balance’ is called into question as Mark finds himself at the centre of an unraveling mystery that will force him to confront the true nature of his work… and of himself.  

This Friday’s highly anticipated finale episode, titled “The We We Are,” will see the team discover troubling revelations. 

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)

#FIRSTLOOK: “SEVERANCE”

By David Baldwin

Mark Scout (Adam Scott) works for Lumon Industries. He says he works in an archiving department, but he cannot be certain as he has undergone the “severance” procedure – a controversial surgery that involves a chip being implanted in the brain and separating any knowledge about work and personal lives in half. As he begins to train new employee Helly (Britt Lower), Mark begins to question what is really going on within Lumon Industries at the same time as he starts uncovering a much bigger conspiracy on the outside.

That may sound like a lot to digest, but after two episodes, it gets much easier to wrap your head around the intricacies of SEVERANCE. Both episodes are directed by Series Producer Ben Stiller (yes, I am just as shocked as you are) and boldly blends elements of Horror, Science Fiction, Dark Comedy and Conspiracy Thrillers into one mysterious nightmare that you will not be easily able to shake afterwards. Stiller frames the Series as clinically precise and sterile as he can, echoing the monotonous grind of the 9-to-5 office worker on a much larger scale. There are few brushes of colour, preferring to stay monochromatic in its costuming, lighting and production design. And having the sets be so expansive and high-ceilinged (likely due to Covid restrictions) make the few amount of on-screen characters feel genuinely small and isolated. The dystopic and sinister undertones flow through very well, giving just enough hints at the overarching mystery to keep viewers invested. I doubt the series would feel anywhere near as palpable and tangible had it been filmed prior to our new normal; everything here feels like you are looking into a mirror and the hellscape of our modern lives is looking right back at you.

I would not suggest it captures the Zeitgeist or has its finger on the beating pulse of modern office work, but I was having some serious déjà vu watching many of these scenes and scenarios play out.

The Cast is terrific and genuinely gifted, despite only getting to see fleeting glimpses of their histories and motivations so far. Scott is excellent as Mark, imbuing the greater themes of loneliness and despair quite wonderfully. Lower, who I loved on the short-lived series Man Seeking Woman, is a firecracker just waiting to explode, while character actor Zach Cherry has a lot of fun playing their no-nonsense, straight-and-narrow co-worker Dylan. And though their roles are small so far, I cannot wait to see John Turturro, Patricia Arquette and the legendary Christopher Walken dive into their roles.

I have not quite settled in on any theories about what is happening just yet, and am fearful for how the Series plans on balancing all of its competing tones and genre mashups. For now though, I am optimistic and excited to see just how SEVERANCE plays out over the next few weeks.

The first two episodes of SEVERANCE are available to stream now on Apple TV+, with new episodes arriving every Friday.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER TRAILER FOR “SEVERANCE”

Adam Scott and Patricia Arquette star in workplace Thriller SEVERANCE. Ben Stiller serves as Executive Producer. See the new Trailer for the Apple TV+ Series.

Synopsis:

In “Severance,” Mark Scout (Adam Scott) leads a team at Lumon Industries, whose employees have undergone a severance procedure, which surgically divides their memories between their work and personal lives. This daring experiment in ‘work-life balance’ is called into question as Mark finds himself at the center of an unraveling mystery that will force him to confront the true nature of his work… and of himself.

“Severance” reunites Emmy and DGA Award winner Ben Stiller with Academy Award and Emmy Award winner Patricia Arquette (“Escape at Dannemora,” “Boyhood”), who stars alongside Adam Scott (“Parks and Recreation,” “Step Brothers”), Emmy Award winner John Turturro (“The Plot Against America,” “The Night Of”), Britt Lower (“High Maintenance,” “Casual”), Zach Cherry (“You,” “Succession”), Dichen Lachman (“Jurassic World: Dominion,” “Altered Carbon”), Jen Tullock (“Before You Know It,” “Bless This Mess”), Tramell Tillman (“Hunters,” Dietland”), Michael Chernus (“Orange is the New Black,” “Patriot“) and Academy Award winner Christopher Walken.

SEVERANCE arrives on Apple TV+ February 18, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)

#SPOTTED: ADAM SCOTT IN TORONTO FOR “THE OVERNIGHT”

Parks and Recreation Star Adam Scott has been quiet of late and we’re thrilled to have him back!  The dapper Funnyman last graced our city in 2011 walking the Red Carpet for Dramedy Friends With Kids.  After premiering at Sundance to positive reception, his latest Comedy THE OVERNIGHT now is set for release.

The Film centers on a young family who relocate to L.A. They meet another mysterious young family and decide to go on a playdate which takes a turn to the interesting and revealing. Everyone is talking about the prosthetics. Jason Schwartzman and Taylor Schilling star also.

Scott has a busy day ahead doing promotion for The Overnight and in the 6 AM hour was at Breakfast Television where Fans say that despite being quiet, was very kind. He arrived at The Morning Show in the 8 AM hour and was all smiles.

See the Trailer:

Scott‘s Interview on CP24 Breakfast:

Our Snap (with Billy!!):

Billy and me with dapper #AdamScott, in #Toronto for Comedy #TheOvernight, about two families who come together via a playdate, where things get interesting… The #Sundance-premiering Film also stars #JasonSchwartzmann and #TaylorSchilling.

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 22, 2015 at 6:52am PDT

The Archive release THE OVERNIGHT in select cities Friday, June 26, 2015 with additional cities to follow.

More here.

(Photo/video credit: The Archive/Mr. Will Wong)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN PASSES TO SEE “HOT TUB TIME MACHINE 2” IN TORONTO + MONTREAL

We LOLed hard at their time travel antics in 2010 and the Boys are back in HOT TUB TIME MACHINE 2! Paramount Pictures Canada and Mr. Will want take you back in time and ahead in time at a special Advance Screening in Toronto or Montreal, of the hilarious Sequel, February 18, 2015!

Official Synopsis:

When Lou (Rob Corddry) finds himself in trouble, Nick (Craig Robinson) and Jacob (Clark Duke) fire up the hot tub time machine in an attempt to get back to the past. But they inadvertently land in the future with Adam Jr. (Adam Scott). Now they have to alter the future in order to save the past… which is really the present, in the sequel from the same team that brought you the original cult hit.

Watch the  Trailer:Official Artwork:To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook! State your city in the comments.

G’luck Willionaire$!

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)