Adapted for television by Graham Yost, Silo is a series that originated from the works of Hugh Howey. Set in a post-apocalyptic and dystopian society, the story is centered around a community of about 10,000 people who live underground in a silo. The inhabitants believe that the outside world is contaminated and lethal, with toxic air that would lead to certain death if they ever ventured outside. The characters frequently recite a pledge that emphasizes the many enigmas surrounding their situation: they don't know why they're in the silo, who built it, or what happened to the world outside. They also don't know when it will be safe to leave the silo. As the ten-episode series unfolds, viewers are drawn into the mysteries of this strange and unsettling world, and discover that there are even more questions than they originally thought.
Allison, an IT worker, her husband, Sheriff Holston, engineer Juliette, and other daring residents of the silo begin to question the forbidden unknowns, leading them closer to the truth, but also further away. The first two episodes of Silo create a solid foundation for an enthralling and addictive mystery. Although the pacing may slow down a bit due to the hour-long episodes, which use flashbacks to develop characters and provide context, each episode includes crucial revelations that will capture your attention. These revelations will serve as a reminder that the central mysteries of Silo, which constantly lurk in the background, are intriguing enough to maintain your interest throughout the series.
The IT department, led by Tim Robbins' Bernard, and the enforcers of Judicial, represented by Common's Sims, hold the true power within the silo. Questioning the status quo is the ultimate sin, which Allison begins to do, leading to others doing the same. When a man with a particular interest in Before Times relics is found dead, an outspoken mechanic (Rebecca Ferguson's Juliette) claims he was murdered, leading to a further escalation of events.
Juliette, the generator keeper in the lower levels of the Silo, seizes an opportunity to investigate the suspicious death of someone dear to her and climb the social ladder. Along the way, she finds allies, but faces skepticism and opposition from powerful figures like Deputy Marnes and the intimidating Sims, head of the judiciary, who are determined to impede her search for truth. Juliette's quest to unravel the Silo's secrets is riveting, in part because of Ferguson's superb portrayal of a wounded and complex character who fights against her grief to fuel a productive rage.
Regrettably, Common's portrayal of Sims is the weakest link in the ensemble. He consistently portrays a particular type of character: immediately captivating as a physical presence, usually convincing physically, but emotionally enigmatic - a quality that is incongruous with the fervor that characterizes his music and unscripted persona. In this production, his performance is akin to a stylish leather jacket - unexplained, given that no one else in the Silo seems to patronize the same tailor - and a perpetual smirk.
The show's production design by Gavin Bocquet is striking in its shadow-filled and run-down futuristic chic, with bursts of color used effectively. Despite the plot's shortcomings, the show's handling of elements such as farming and fertility, as well as meal-times, can be intriguing. However, the show struggles to explain some of the Founders' rules and regulations, such as the prohibition of elevators, and the inconsistent time it takes to travel between floors.
The moody and gritty visual style of Silo, along with the haunting score by Atli Örvarsson, work together to establish an unsettling atmosphere. The opening credits sequence is ominous, and the show effectively employs sound design to enhance each scene. The impressive production design, which features massive machinery, expansive areas, and the imposing spiral staircase at the center of the silo, adds to the show's tension. Silo combines these elements to create a suspenseful series. Another impressive debut for AppleTV+.
