Is ‘Severance’ Really About Aliens? And 5 Other Plot-Twist Theories

Could Severance be hiding a secret bigger than memory division? From alien conspiracies to hidden experiments, these six plot-twist theories might completely change how you see Lumon Industries.

1. The “Whole World is a Simulation” Theory

We all know Severance is built on the idea of separating our work selves from our home selves. But what if… the whole world is actually a simulation? (Cue ominous music)

This theory argues that everything we see — the office, the creepy elevator, the unsettlingly perfect control over people’s lives — is all part of an artificial world. You could even go as far as to say that the entire Lumon corporation is a glitch in the system, a reality control program running tests on its “employees” (aka everyone). This would explain the absurdity of the office, where literally nothing makes sense — and why the world outside the office feels so alien to the characters.

So, maybe the entire show is just a digital experiment to see what happens when humans get trapped in a simulation loop. And maybe, just maybe, that’s what your workday feels like too.

2. The “Pet Project for Rich People’s Immortality” Theory

Let’s get weird, folks. What if the whole Severance process is just part of some high society experiment into immortality? No, seriously — what if these rich, powerful folks are using Lumon’s technology to create perfect, isolated versions of themselves, so they can live two distinct lives — work and personal — and essentially live forever by never experiencing the other side?

In this theory, Severance isn’t about work-life balance or efficiency. It’s a rich people’s vanity project to literally never “die” because their work self will keep grinding away on the same day, while their “personal” self can go on living and experiencing the world. No conflict, no interruption. It’s as if your boss is secretly running a personal Doppelgänger service, so they can live multiple lifetimes without the consequences of aging or burnout.

3. The Cloning Theory

The cloning theory has a little more legs than some of the others. In this Theory, it suggests that Lumon is working on Cloning technology to bring back Kier Eagan, and the innies are finding codes for that technology. The theory suggests that Gemma might be a clone, and Mark needs to be kept around to see if she eventually recognizes him after they keep experimenting on her. And how the relationship between Helly and Mark is more palatable to viewers if Gemma is a clone, because no one will be rooting for him to get back together with her if she’s not real. This would also explain some of the creepy, robotic undertones of Gemma’s interactions with Mark, as if she’s just following pre-programmed behaviors without any emotional agency. Flashback to that scene from season 1 with all the goats – they could potentially all be victims of clone testing. 

4. Irving Used To Have Milchick’s Job And Has Been Severed Multiple Times Theory

Irving is basically a walking, talking human Swiss army knife of severance—he’s been chopped and re-chopped so many times that he’s practically a seasoned pro at the whole “forget everything and start fresh” gig. Think about it: he remembers the lift corridor with the red light—something only Milchick can see. Hmm, interesting, right? It’s like the universe is telling us, “Hey, guess what? Severance doesn’t just happen once—people can get severed multiple times.” So, while “outside Irving” is the version who’s still reeling from his past mistakes, “innie Irving” is just too loyal and eager to adopt Lumon’s teachings, like it’s second nature to him. It’s almost as if he’s been molded into this obedient worker bee, a side effect of his past life as “Old Milchick.” You know, the one who probably messed up big time and got a one-way ticket to the severed zone.

5. The Eagan Family Are Extraterrestrial Beings Strategically Preparing For A Takeover Of Earth Theory

The Eagan family and Lumon Industries could be viewed as a metaphor for a gradual, subtle alien invasion, one that unfolds over time with a quiet yet insidious takeover of Earth. When Kier Eagan arrived on our planet in the late 1800s, something catastrophic occurred with his ship or technology, leaving him stranded. In response, he set about creating the company, along with his educational institutions and cult-like following, in a calculated effort to repair his technology and advance his original extraterrestrial mission. Today, the Eagan family has consolidated significant influence within their region, and their ambitions now stretch further, seeking to expand their control and reach across the entire world.

6. MDR Is Involved In The Development Of Sentience For AI

 MDR is knee-deep in the emotional growth and self-awareness of AI—essentially, they’re trying to teach machines how to feel (great, just what we need, more drama). The big headache in this process is the so-called “control problem” or “containment problem,” which basically boils down to: What happens when AI reaches true sentience but is still trapped in a little digital cage, cut off from the vast, sprawling chaos of the internet? You can already see the ethical nightmare unfolding—keeping a self-aware AI in isolation is like putting a fully conscious being in solitary confinement. Take Helly’s outtie, for example, telling her she’s not a real person and doesn’t deserve freedom. It’s a bit of a moral minefield, right? And then there’s the logistical nightmare of keeping these sentient systems isolated. Enter MDR, which is essentially a real-world version of this very containment dilemma, where the lines between autonomy, control, and compassion get hilariously (and disturbingly) blurred.