Severance creators reveal the secret to a great cliffhanger

In what seemed like an eternity, two years have passed. Now, Severance has finally made its comeback to blow our minds all over again. But how does it manage to create such enticing cliffhangers? After all, they kept us hanging for two years and we are all shocked once again. The short answer is: By achieving the ideal equilibrium between providing answers and introducing new mysteries.

Ben Stiller, Dan Erickson, and Adam Scott are all in agreement that an effective cliffhanger provides answers to exactly the right amount of questions to satisfy viewers while also presenting new riddles to keep them interested.

"You try to think about what the stakes are that we’ve established, and hopefully you’ve earned it by the end," Stiller goes on to add.

From the perspective of the world of serialized storytelling, Severance stands out due to the delicate equilibrium that it maintains.

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Mind games and memory gaps: Severance rewrites the rules

On January 17, the second season of Severance was released on Apple TV Plus, which sparked a mixture of excitement and cautious anticipation among viewers. Ever since the jaw-dropping season 1 conclusion left their brains swirling with questions and possibilities, fans have been holding their breath in anticipation of seeing what happens next.

Audiences were intrigued by the series because it explored the lives of “innies” and “outies,” two unique identities established by a surgical operation that separates work and personal memories.

The series is recognized for its retrofuturistic look and strange premise. The conclusion of the show provided viewers with shocking disclosures, such as Mark’s discovery that his wife, who was believed to have passed away, is still alive and working at Lumon Industries under the name Ms. Casey today. According to creator Dan Erickson, the goal of a good cliffhanger is to “answer questions while opening up new ones.”

Ben Stiller, who directs and produces the series, shared insights about the challenges of crafting cliffhangers during production.

“We made the whole season in a bubble where nobody saw anything until it was all done,” he recalls. “I remember thinking, ‘Will people think this is a good cliffhanger?’ Luckily, it resonated.”

Adam Scott, who stars as Mark and serves as a producer, added:

“It’s a roll of the dice whether or not something is going to work. You build up to these moments and hope they connect.”

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Dangling in suspense: the birth of the cliffhanger

The term “cliffhanger” didn’t just fall out of the sky. It clung to the edge of literature in the 19th century. One of the earliest recorded instances appears in Thomas Hardy’s novel A Pair of Blue Eyes (1873), where a character literally dangles off the edge of a cliff. This nail-biting scenario set the stage for what would become a hallmark of serialized storytelling. By the early 20th century, film serials amplified the trope, leaving audiences anxiously awaiting the fate of their favorite heroes.

Today, cliffhangers have evolved into something more intricate, trading dangling bodies for dangling emotions. They’re now just as likely to explore heartbreak or a shocking revelation as they are to teeter on the edge of physical peril, keeping audiences riveted for answers. Dan Erickson explains:

“With Mark, that final moment of ‘she’s alive’ answers one question but opens up a whole new one. How does this revelation change the status quo?”

This blend of resolution and provocation is what keeps viewers coming back for more.

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Squid Games and cliffside tumbles

If you’re searching for a more recent and nearly literal example of a cliffhanger, look no further than Squid Game season 1. Hwang Jun-ho, the determined undercover cop, finds himself at the mercy of his brother after his cover is blown.

The season’s climax sees Jun-ho taking a bullet and plummeting off a cliff into the ocean below. The visual is as suspenseful as it gets, leaving fans grappling with questions about his fate and the broader implications for the story. It’s a prime example of how cliffhangers can tether viewers to a series with a single shocking moment.

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Severing expectations: how Severance keeps us hooked

Severance doesn’t just use cliffhangers—it weaponizes them. The season 1 finale didn’t rely on cheap thrills but instead wove its big reveal into the fabric of its narrative. When Mark discovers Ms. Casey’s true identity, the emotional and narrative stakes skyrocket, leaving viewers with a sense of urgency and anticipation.

The genius lies in the show’s ability to blend satisfaction with curiosity. By the time the credits rolled, fans weren’t merely asking, “What happens next?” They were on the edge of their seats, deeply entwined in every twist and revelation as if they, too, were part of the unfolding narrative. For Ben Stiller, it all boils down to one thing: earning the moment.

“You have to make sure the payoff feels deserved,” he says.

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What lies ahead?

As season 2 unfolds, Severance is poised to up the ante with even more mind-bending twists and expertly crafted cliffhangers. The creators have set a high bar, proving they know how to keep audiences hooked without sacrificing depth or authenticity. With their track record, fans can trust that the ride ahead will be as thrilling as it is thought-provoking. The only question now is: will you hang on?