Director of 'The Acolyte' Kogonada to Helm 'Severance' Season 3

'Severance' Creator Ben Stiller Passes Directing Duties to New Filmmaker to Focus on Feature Films

Apple TV+'s 'Severance', one of the most standout series of recent years, is preparing for major changes in its creative team. Ben Stiller, who was instrumental in launching the show and defining its visual style, is stepping down from the director's role for the third season.

Ben Stiller Moves to Feature Films
According to reports, Ben Stiller has decided to focus his efforts on feature-length projects. Despite stepping away from directing, his contribution to the creation of 'Severance' remains key—it was he who shaped the series' atmosphere, rhythm, and visual concept.

The series, which debuted on Apple TV+, quickly achieved cult status thanks to its unique concept blending science fiction with psychological drama. For this reason, the change in director is seen as a significant milestone in the project's evolution.

Kogonada Takes Over as New Director
The new director for the third season will be independent filmmaker Kogonada. He is known for the drama 'After Yang', as well as his work on the series 'Pachinko' and 'The Acolyte'.

Kogonada is expected to serve as the lead director for the season, helming the majority of episodes. This means he will be responsible for defining the visual and emotional tone of the story's continuation.

The appointment is seen as an attempt to preserve the series' unique aesthetic while introducing fresh, distinctive elements.

A Challenging Period in the Director's Career
For Kogonada, this project represents an opportunity to reboot his career after a difficult period. Last year, his film 'Big, Brave, Beautiful Journey' starring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell failed to meet expectations.

The film, which had a budget of around $60 million, underperformed at the box office and received lukewarm, at times sharply negative, reviews from critics. This result dealt a serious blow to the reputation of a director previously known for his visually exquisite and auteur-driven work.

An Attempt at Creative Reinvention
Following this setback, Kogonada temporarily stepped away from major projects and traveled to Hong Kong, where he shot the low-budget film 'Zi'. This project was conceived as a more personal and experimental work.

However, the reception there was also mixed—at the Sundance Film Festival, the film garnered divided opinions and did not achieve unambiguous success.

Betting on Auteur Style in 'Severance'
Despite his recent struggles, Kogonada remains a director with a distinct auteur signature. His style is characterized by minimalism, attention to frame composition, and a meditative approach to storytelling.

According to experts, these qualities align well with the aesthetic of 'Severance', where visual rigor, symmetry, and psychological tension play crucial roles.

The appointment of Kogonada may signal that the series' creators intend to preserve the project's recognizable atmosphere while infusing it with a new artistic sensibility in the third season.