5 Reasons to Watch "Separation" - the best analogue of "Black Mirror" from Ben Stiller

The series from Apple TV+ and aspiring writer Dan Erickson was released in February 2022. However, conversations about him have not subsided so far. The project was quickly renewed for a second season, gradeSeparation / IMDb on IMDb - 8.7 points (and the final episode has 9.7 at all), Rotten TomatoesSeverance/Rotten Tomatoes The Separation has 97% positive reviews from critics and 93% from viewers.

If that's not enough, the series received 14 nominations for the television award "Emmy". The sensational “Squid Game” and “Breaking” have the same amount, and only “White Lotus” earned more from the new products.

But, of course, these are all dry numbers. The main thing to know: Separation is a very interesting series that combines a detective thriller, social satire and conversational drama. He seems to be playing on the Black Mirror field, examining the topic of the impact of technology on humans and forcing us to think about free will and the very concept of personality.

1. The "Separation" has a complicated intriguing plot

Like many other people, Mark (Adam Scott) goes to the office every morning. The hero serves at Lumon Industries in the macro data processing department. But he himself does not know at all what he is doing: due to the chip implanted in his head, his personality is divided. At work, he does not remember anything about his life at home, on vacation he forgets working days.

Mark suffers from loneliness - his wife died two years ago, because of this, the hero went to the separation procedure. But in the office, he seems to be happy with everything. Truth. no one understands what exactly the whole department is doing. But Mark is promoted to the position of manager.

The main plot begins when a brand new Helly (Brittney Lower) joins the company. She tries her best to quit, but her "extra" (personality outside the office) does not support the decision. Meanwhile, his former colleague comes to Mark's house.

The description of the project may seem confusing, but if you add details, then there is a chance to spoil the plot. And "Separation" is the series in which it is better to find out everything on your own. It was pretty much the same withhouse with servants» M. Night Shyamalan, where even the trailers spoiled the impression of the first episodes a little.

But you can say something else. You won’t surprise anyone anymore with films and TV shows with two storylines: they can tell about different characters, as in the “Game of Thrones”, or about the same characters in several times, as in “real detectiveand Hornets.

In Separation, both parts are dedicated to Mark and there are no jumps to the past or the future. But, in fact, these are different stories: not only locations and shootings differ, but also the character of the hero himself. That is, it is a completely linear plot, but consisting of two independent lines. You can even conduct a thought experiment and leave only one part of the series (any one to choose from): until the very final episodes, it will look quite interesting.

In sum, this is a great puzzle that the viewer, along with the characters, must assemble in detail. After all, throughout the season, we know about Mark's colleagues only from the experience of their "intro" (personality in the office). Therefore, one has to wonder what kind of people they are and why, for example, extra Helly is so opposed to her dismissal.

And at the same time, you will have to figure out what Lumon Industries is doing, what the boss, who is superbly played by Patricia Arquette, is up to, who is calling Mark's colleague's cell phone. And also answer many more questions that are better not even mentioned in the text in order to avoid spoilers.

In general, for lovers puzzles Separation is the perfect show. Although the other component is even more important.

2. The series criticizes the work of large corporations

The social theme in the project is revealed more than in many episodes "black mirror' and other similar stories. "Separation" most clearly shows that in the office a person literally turns into a slave. And often he condemns himself to such a life.

The separation procedure itself is a more layered metaphor than it seems at first glance. And everyone can interpret it in their own way. Surely many will draw an analogy with boring working days, which there is literally nothing to remember. Or with sensations when on weekdays you want to quit your job, and on weekends you think: “Yes, everything is not so bad.” Or with how differently people behave depending on the situation. Parallels can be drawn almost endlessly.

And according to the corporate culture, “Separation” is very tough. At least starting with the fact that the workers themselves do not understand what they are doing. They are simply told that it is very important and useful, and it is better not to ask questions. Departments hate each other, and many parts of the company are not even known to ordinary employees.

The management has been elevated to the rank of a cult, all employees are constantly monitored. And all this is presented in the most positive way. But the smile of Tramell Tillman, who plays Supervisor Milchik, has an eerie feel to it.

At least some illusion of gratitude is created through small gifts and rather clumsy corporate parties. In this case, it works, because the intro does not see anything at all, except for the office. But isn't the same thing happening in many companies in reality?

By the end, the social component will become the main one for the plot. Spectators will be forced to think about stratification, and that literally one person or event can push for change. But it is also better to see for yourself.

3. The series "Separation" is based on a philosophical drama

If, according to the description above, it might seem that the series turned out to be dynamic and sharp, then this is not entirely true. Whether this is a plus or a minus is up to the audience to decide, but in fact there are not so many events in the "Separation": after a vigorous the start of the plot will slow down a lot, and the characters will more often just talk than try to change the environment world. Although, by the last episodes, the pace will jump up so much that you almost want to scream at the heroes so that they hurry up.

But even the slower part does not make the series boring. Firstly, the ambiguous basis makes the viewer himself think about the moral component of the plot. And if you look not alone, then you can even argue. It seems to be about slavery. But a person condemns himself to it, that is, he is free in his choice. However, after some time, the intro becomes an independent person - he already has two years of other experience and communication with people. True, his application must be approved by an extra. But how can a person deny himself?

And there are many such questions in the series. Especially when it turns out that the separation can be used for other needs - many will probably think that they themselves would like to try this.

However, this is not all. One of the important components of "Division" that can be overlooked is an attempt to figure out how people cope with stress. And if the story of Mark is quite obvious, then by the end one of the characters who seemed the least interesting will be revealed from an unexpected side. After all, for sure, many people have such traumatic memories that they want to give a part of themselves in order to forget about them. But is the payoff worth it?

4. The actors in "Separation" are excellent

Many people probably know Adam Scott more from such comedies as "Parks and recreation areasand Party Masters. Of course, he also played dramatic roles, but still there was no “one” with which the actor would be associated in the first place. And "Separation" could be such a breakthrough for Scott.

The artist plays two roles at once: either he is a broken life and a lost person, or an office enthusiast who is happy to follow all orders. These are different people who have some common features. How amazingly a talented actor can transform due to facial expressions, movements and just posture!

Not the most popular stars were invited to other important roles. Not every viewer knows the same Brittney Lower: she played in the undeservedly forgotten TV series “A Man Seeking a Woman”, appeared in “The Man of the Future” and “Ghosts” with the same Adam Scott. But here it is on her character that a significant part of the dynamics rests. It is easier for the viewer to associate himself with Helly - the plot begins with her. The heroine asks a lot of questions, jokes sarcastically and tries to get out of the company.

There are, of course, very famous actors in second or third roles. They provide recognition and just act out interesting scenes. Here it is worth highlighting Christopher Walken and John Turturro: their story arc is the most touching thing in the series. A sort of reminder of simple humanity in a complex world.

You could go on, but it's easier to say this: The Separation is a series with a perfectly matched cast. Each in its place and creates a part of the atmosphere. Even if it is the rarely seen Dichen Lachman from "modified carbonwith her enigmatic appearance.

5. "Separation" filmed very stylishly and intricately

It's hard to say how well the series would have worked if it hadn't been staged so beautifully. It seems that the plot itself is already cool enough to capture the audience - it is not for nothing that the main part of the review is devoted to it. But "Separation" also just wants to admire.

Six of the nine episodes were directed by Ben Stiller, who has long established himself as an excellent visionary - remember how beautiful his "The Incredible Life of Walter Mitty». Three more episodes were given to Ifa McArdle, and these, alas, are the weakest parts. But in The Separation, the plot itself forced the directors to reach a new level: the two lines of this series were filmed in the most different ways.

This applies not only to the entourage, but also to the characters themselves. The creators even specifically show the transition from one state of the characters to another several times, so that the viewer can better notice it. The optics of the camera changes, because of which a person looks different. And in addition to this, it is filmed from other angles and with a different color scheme.

The creators of "Separation" seem to have spied on some plans in "Mr. Robot". This, of course, is about scenes in the office: there is a lot of emptiness in the frame, which emphasizes how small the characters are and lost in space. And, by the way, in time too - despite the fact that the world of the series seems to be as close to real as possible, within the framework of Lumon Industries they created an atmosphere of retrofuturism. Beeping computers with pot-bellied monitors and an outdated interface came from the distant past. Although only the audience knows about all this. Heroes do not go outside and do not understand what year it is.

The minimalism of the furnishings and the endless white corridors even make you wonder if Stiller is joking with Apple, which glorified restrained style and light colors? If so, then this is doubly ironic - given the platform on which the series was released.

But something else is important: as soon as the heroes leave the office, all rules are canceled. The frame is no longer so geometrically accurate, the setting looks more chaotic, and the characters are dressed in whatever they want as opposed to the office style (Turturro will show the most striking contrast towards the end). That is, the visual series itself helps the viewer to feel the life and feelings of the characters, complementing the already interesting plot.

"Separation" has already made the lists of the best series for the first half of the year in some publishers. And this title is well-deserved: the authors managed to present an unusual and rather complex idea in a clear and exciting way. The project raises important topics, but does not go into moralizing, but makes the viewer decide for himself which side he is on.

The only thing to consider: The Separation was originally conceived as a series for several seasons, so not all questions will be answered in the finale. Will have to wait for the sequel.