Severance's Shared Theme With Christopher Nolan's $759 Sci-Fi Movie Adds Another Heartbreaking Layer To Season 2's Ending

Christopher Nolan's $759 sci-fi movie and Severance have one theme in common, which makes season 2's ending even more heartbreaking. Severance is not the first sci-fi show dabbling with ideas surrounding memory, identity, and capitalism. However, the narrative devices it adopts to present these thematic elements are incredibly unique, explaining why the series has been a massive hit for Apple TV+. However, in all its uniqueness, Severance also seems to share many narrative similarities with several renowned science fiction movies and shows.

For instance, Severance's core concept of exploring how memory manipulation would impact an individual's perception of time, self, and personal agency is reminiscent of the notions explored in Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind. Severance's creator, Dan Erickson, has also cited Black Mirror's "White Christmas" episode as one of the key inspirations behind the Apple TV+ sci-fi show. Interestingly, Severance also shares a theme with one of Christopher Nolan's best films, which reveals a tragic truth about season 2's ending.

Like Interstellar, Severance Shows How "Love Transcends The Dimensions Of Space & Time"

Dr. Brand's Quote Rings True Throughout Severance's Runtime

In a crucial scene from Christopher Nolan's Interstellar, Anne Hathaway's Dr. Brand tries to convince Matthew McConaughey's Cooper that "love isn't something we invented...it's observable, powerful." Although Cooper understands where she comes from, he cannot help but see things from a more logical, scientific perspective. However, as Interstellar progresses and Cooper travels through the unknown depths of space and time, he, too, realizes that love is not just a "social utility" but something far more profound — it transcends the dimensions of space and time.

“Maybe it means something more – something we can’t yet understand. Maybe it’s some evidence, some artefact of a higher dimension that we can’t consciously perceive. I’m drawn across the universe to someone I haven’t seen in a decade, who I know is probably dead. Love is the one thing we’re capable of perceiving that transcends dimensions of time and space. Maybe we should trust that, even if we can’t understand it.” - Amelia Brand (Anne Hathaway), Interstellar

Severance's main characters seem to experience something similar. Even though the innies and outies live in different "observable" spaces and times, their feelings of love often transcend the severance boundaries that separate them. For instance, Irving's outie cannot help but feel what his innie did for Burt in Severance season 2.

Dichen Lachman as Ms. Casey looking pensive in Severance season 1 (2022) above a red background of Lumon's offices

What Lumon Has Really Been Doing To Gemma/Ms. Casey In Severance

Severance season 2, episode 7 revealed vital elements of Gemma/Ms. Casey’s backstory, including what Lumon has been doing to her the entire time.

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Dylan's innie, too, falls for his outie's wife, while both Helly and Helena seem to be in love with Mark. Mark's innie claims to have his own sense of individuality. However, as Petey tells his outie in season 1, he carries the pain of losing his beloved wife even after he enters Lumon, and his grief is visible in his innie's eyes.

Severance's Interstellar Similarity Proves Mark's Innie Did Not Get A Happy Ending In Season 2

Mark's Innie Will Carry The Burden Of His Outie's Love For Gemma

In Severance season 2's ending moments, Mark's innie seems to firmly believe that he is making the right decision by pursuing his relationship with Helly and not letting his outie dictate his actions. It is also hard not to root for him because, for once, he gets to live his life on his own terms instead of being controlled by external forces. However, since the severance barriers have been strong enough to prevent the transcendence of love, Mark's innie will feel the weight of his decisions and their impact on his outie and Gemma.

The more the outie's love for Gemma leaks through the severance barriers, the more the innie will struggle to grapple with the decision he made in season 2's ending.

Given how Mark's innie puts his life on the line in Severance season 2's ending arc to rescue Gemma from Lumon's Testing Floor, a part of him already seems to feel the emotional weight of the crossover between his consciousness and his outie. In Severance season 2, Mark's innie will realize his love for Helly — while powerful — is fraught with complexities that he will become more aware of as the reintegration process escalates. The more the outie's love for Gemma leaks through the severance barriers, the more the innie will struggle to grapple with the decision he made in season 2's ending.