Silo
Taking place in an underground silo, where the last of humanity have made their home, the set-up for Apple TV+’s Silo adheres to the tried-and-tested template of post-apocalyptic fiction: nobody knows who built the silo or why, what happened to turn the world outside into a toxic wasteland, or even when (or if) they’ll ever be allowed to go outside again. The worldbuilding instantly raises a myriad of compelling questions about the silo’s history and (presumably) the sinister motivations behind its creation. These mysteries are only further solidified within the opening episodes when the silo’s sheriff (David Oyelowo) stumbles upon a startling discovery that his wife (Rashida Jones) did a few years earlier.
Also interwoven in the search for truth is engineer Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson), who finds herself in a position of power following a tragic event. While the concept of the show is nothing especially new, with the silo itself blending Fallout’s vaults with the social hierarchy of Snowpiercer, the truth behind its mysteries is dangled in front of viewers and gently tugged at as the plot progresses throughout the first episodes.
While the reveal of a secret tunnel and hints regarding the authoritarian regime running the silo gradually nudge the narrative towards the answers the heroes are searching for, a keen attention to the characters and setting help bring this dystopian world to life in riveting fashion. The more that’s learned about the inner workings of the silo, the more fascinating a setting it becomes. Likewise, the script takes its time to flesh out the relationships between various of the inhabitants, something that’s greatly helped by fantastic performances across the board, which only serve to heighten the drama and personal stakes from the start.
However, this attention to detail does come at the cost of the pacing as the urgency of the opening episodes is replaced with flashbacks and narrative detours. Just as it looks like the show has forgotten about the main plot, though, it’s quick to throw in a nail-biting sequence or an unexpected twist to keep viewers hooked.
From the first episode, Silo grips audiences with its intriguing premise and only builds on the mysteries as more discoveries are made. Moreover, like any good post-apocalyptic fiction, Apple TV+’s show brings its world to life, even if it’s not the most original idea.
Andrew Murray
Silo is released on Apple TV+ on 5th May 2023.
Watch the trailer for Silo here:
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