Warning: There are spoilers ahead for the Severance season 2 finale.

Ben Stiller explains the significance of the freeze-frame and the color red at the end of the Severance season 3, ensuring that the fallout of this decision will be explored, and that the stories of Mark, Helly, and Gemma will continue.

In an interview with IndieWire, Stiller explains that the freeze-frame is meant to be reminiscent of 1970s movies, which sometimes used freeze-frames to show that the movie is over, but that the story will continue. As for the color red, Stiller discussed how the color has been used minimally in the series so far, and that it was introduced to visually mark a distinct turning point towards Severance season 3's tone and story. He also revealed how the scene was shot to make it feel like it was a scene out of an older movie. Check out Stiller's comments below:

For me, that image was just in my head from the beginning — when we said, OK, we’re going to go this far and this is where we’re going to take it. You don’t see freeze-frames at the end of movies that often these days, but it used to be done a lot more. It’s just kind of this moment in time where you’re like, “Oh, wow, this is the end of the movie, but it’s going to keep going. We just don’t know where it’s going to go.” You marinate in this moment. It reminded me of movies that I watched growing up. This slow zoom in on the freeze-frame reminded me of ’70s movies a little bit.

We actually— we shoot this show digitally, but we transferred that last shot to film and then re-transferred it because we wanted to have the grain to zoom in on. So it felt like a movie that would’ve been shot on film where they would’ve had an optical printer that would’ve zoomed in on it. And it goes to red, which we haven’t really gone to before. I think it’s kind of signaling, “Hey, we’re going into a different tone here now. We are going into a different reality for these people."

What This Means For Severance

Stiller's explanation adds further meaning to Severance season 2's ending and teases how season 3 will be drastically different from the story that preceded it. Mark's innie choosing Helly over Gemma provides a definitive conclusion to one of the show's main questions and conflicts, and makes for a satisfying place to end season 2. At the same time, the decision leads to countless more questions and ethical dilemmas that require more exploration. A freeze-frame is the perfect way to communicate this moment being both an ending and beginning point in the overarching story.

As for the color red, it communicates how different the next season will be. Despite the events of Severance season 1's ending, the series was still able to return to the status quo in season 2 as Mark, Helly, Irving (John Turturro), and Dylan (Zach Cherry) were gradually all brought back to continue their work in the MDR Department. The events in the Severance season 2 finale make a return to the status quo impossible, though, meaning that season 3 will look completely different from what the characters and audiences are used to experiencing.

Our Take On Ben Stiller's Comments

Every Detail In Severance Is Meaningful

Stiller's comments encapsulate how Severance is a perfect blend of style and substance. The season 2 finale's freeze-frame is visually stunning, but it also holds significant meaning to the story being told. Practically every weird, random, or simply cool-looking detail in Severance ends up having a greater importance. Season 2's final shot is no exception, having already become an iconic part of the show, and it will likely become even more meaningful during season 3.

Source: IndieWire