Apple products absent from set in television series 'Severance'
In the intriguing world of "Severance," Apple's iconic smartphone, the iPhone, seems to be conspicuously absent. This peculiar choice has sparked discussions among fans and analysts alike.
The absence of iPhones is not a new phenomenon in the realm of television and film. Rian Johnson, director of Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Looper, revealed in February 2020 that in mystery movies, bad guys cannot have iPhones on camera. This rule has become a decoder ring for movie and TV fans, with the absence of iPhones indicating a character might be a villain. However, in "Severance," this rule seems to have been taken a step further, with no iPhones appearing at all.
Other smartphones, such as a generic Android-style device and a touchscreen satellite phone reminiscent of the Thuraya X5 Touch, exist in the show's universe. Yet, the absence of Apple's flagship product is noticeable.
The creators of "Severance" may have made this creative choice to suit the show's dystopian and corporate atmosphere. The show is known for carefully designing a unique fictional setting, often using technology and props that do not draw direct attention to existing real-world brands like Apple products. This could be an attempt to maintain immersion or avoid overt product placement inconsistencies.
In Bong Joon Ho's Parasite, the director ignores Apple's rule about villains not having iPhones, giving rich characters iPhones and poor characters Androids. However, in "Severance," the choice seems to be more extreme, with no iPhones at all.
Mark Scout, the protagonist of "Severance," was spotted holding an Android phone, leading some to question if he was a secret villain. Interestingly, in Season 1, Mark's former coworker Petey shows up with a flip phone called the Easyfone Prime-A1, and in Season 2, Irving is seen making a call from a pay phone.
Despite numerous searches, no sources directly explain the reason for the absence of iPhones in "Severance." The choice of props, product placements, or specific decisions about using iPhones or their absence in the show are not mentioned in the cited articles.
In other productions, the absence of iPhones carries significant thematic weight. For instance, in Rian Johnson's Knives Out sequel, Glass Onion, the movie's ultimate villain doesn't have a phone at all. In the series For All Mankind, the iPhone does not exist (at least not yet).
As the second season of "Severance" streams on Apple TV+, with new episodes every Friday, the mystery of the missing iPhones continues to intrigue viewers. Interviews with the show's creators or prop masters would provide valuable insights, but they are not included in the search data provided. For now, the absence of iPhones in "Severance" remains a fascinating enigma in the world of television and film.
- The iPhone, Apple's famous smartphone, is absent from the show "Severance," a choice that has initiated conversations among viewers and industry experts.
- In the production of "Severance," other smartphones like Android and a satellite phone are present, but the absence of the iPhone remains noticeable.
- The creators of "Severance" may have designed this decision to align with the show's dystopian and corporate setting, avoiding real-world brand distractions.
- In some films, the absence of iPhones can signal thematic implications, such as in Rian Johnson's Knives Out sequel, where the villain doesn't possess a phone at all.
- Mark Scout, a character in "Severance," is seen with an Android phone, which has raised speculation about his character being a secret antagonist.
- In the series "For All Mankind," the iPhone does not exist, demonstrating how the absence of specific technology can contribute to a show's unique narrative.
- As new episodes of "Severance" continue to stream on Apple TV+, the mysterious absence of iPhones remains an intriguing, unexplained aspect of the show.
