TV Shows Like Silo: Apple TV+ seems to have a winner at its hands with Rebecca Ferguson starrer “Silo.” Based on the novel series of the same name by author Hugh Howey, the show depicts a dystopia where humanity’s last survivors have taken refuge in a 100-plus-storey high underground silo. As far as dystopia goes, “Silo” does quite well to portray that. It takes a detail-oriented approach to depict how the new ‘world’ looks like.
“Silo” triumphs in posing the right kind of existential questions. It immediately sets itself apart when it establishes the cause, and much of the dystopia-causing event is unknown. And the authorities would very much like it to remain so. An emotional setup of a couple and murder follows this interesting premise. Everything points towards the direction where we would have to wait with bated breath for the subsequent episodes of the series.
While doing so, let us have a look at some similar TV shows that are equally intriguing, if not more.
Attack on Titan [2013 – Now]
You probably have heard about “Attack on Titan” already. Based on the popular Manga series by Hajime Isayama, the hugely popular anime series is a sensation right now. And for good reason. When Eren Yeager sees his city run over by giant humanoid creatures (Titans) and his beloved mother gets swallowed by one of the Titans, he vows to rid the world of Titans. He and his two best friends join Survey Corps, run by an enigmatic captain, Levi.
Much like “Silo,” the world of “Titan” is also insulated from the dangerous ‘outside.’ Human beings have learned to look away from the imminent dangers and live their lives. Huge walls are built to protect the inner cities from small to medium-sized titans. “Attack on Titan” builds on its eye-grabbing premise with superlative world-building and mystery. The mystery part of “Attack on Titan” would be reminiscent of “Silo.” In its layered approach, “Attack on Titan” is riddled with questions about existentialism and what the characters believed to be true. This search for truth would resonate with viewers who liked “Silo.”
Snowpiercer [2020 – Now]
The list is about TV shows and not films. Otherwise, I would have put Bong Joon-Ho’s 2013 adaptation of the French graphic novel “Le Transperceneige.” Instead, I would put the next best thing. The TV show “Snowpiercer” starring Jennifer Connelly and Daveed Diggs. “Snowpiercer” is set in a dystopian future where climate change has rendered the earth as we know it unlivable. The world is now a frozen wasteland.
The remaining survivors have taken refuge in a perpetually moving gigantic train known as the ‘Snowpiercer.’ This train is effectively the “Silo” lying flat and moving forward. Funded by an eccentric billionaire, the mammoth train consists of 1001 carriages. “Silo” hinted at the class difference among the survivors. “Snowpiercer” is a scathing attack on the class system. Like the bottom levels reserved for the supposedly lower class in “Silo,” “Snowpiercer” has the rear carriages reserved for the same. “Snowpiercer” has a great sci-fi story and a fantastic Jennifer Connelly to boot. Watch this, and watch Bong Joon-Ho’s adaptation as well.
The Leftovers [2014-2017]
Based on Tom Perrotta’s novel, the TV series helmed by Damon Lindelof of “Lost” fame is not exactly a science fiction show. However, there are very few TV shows that can top the devastatingly good “The Leftovers.” Especially when it comes to surviving and living, the world of “The Leftovers” is not exactly a dystopia; the world here is not a wasteland. It features a different kind of dystopia. It is a dystopia where the world remains as it is, but human beings disappear inexplicably. This ‘Sudden Departure,’ which results in the disappearance of 2% of the world population, leaves the people left behind emotionally scarred for years.
In its duration of three seasons, “The Leftovers” addresses faith and religion, life and death, love and grief. Buoyed by the performances of Justin Theroux, Carrie Coon, and Christopher Eccleston, “The Leftovers” is TV at its finest. The emotional quotient that is prevalent in the pilot episode of “Silo” can be felt throughout the whole duration of “The Leftovers.” When it comes to finding love while healing from wounds, there is nothing quite like “The Leftovers.”
Altered Carbon [2018-2020]
Statutory warning first: Netflix canceled this show. But that does stop me from suggesting it, especially after watching (and liking) “Silo.” Based on the novel of the same name by Richard K. Morgan, “Altered Carbon” is one for cyberpunk fans. The series consists of two seasons. Created by Laeta Kalogridis, “Altered Carbon” depicts a world where human consciousness can be saved in a hard drive and then planted in another body. That basically means virtual immortality.
The intriguing show got canceled by Netflix after its 18 episodes. But it is still worth a go. Much like “Silo,” it starts with a murder that needs investigating. Joel Kinnaman, and later Anthony Mackie, portrays the protagonist Tak Kovacs. Underneath its extremely intriguing premise, it is a murder mystery. At least in the beginning. Even if that part does not particularly pan out spectacularly, the visually stunning show would satiate every sci-fi fan, especially if they liked “Silo.”
Sense8 [2015-2018]
Another Netflix entry. Another two-seasons-then-cancellation entry, to be precise. “The Matrix” creators Lily and Lana Wachowski, along with J. Michael Straczynski, created this science fiction drama. This show also does not feature a dystopia per se. However, it addresses a particular nature of any dystopia-based story, like the one in “Silo.” And that is compassion and empathy towards strangers; strangers who suddenly find that they have much more in common with each other than they previously thought. All it takes is a fantastic push like a dystopia.
Sense8 features eight strangers from various parts of the world realizing they are ‘linked.’ That is, they can sense and communicate with each other mentally. This premise is further explored to create a series that addresses identity and empathy. Even though it is canceled after two seasons, I would recommend checking this one out.
The Handmaid’s Tale [2017 – Now]
Creator Bruce Miller brilliantly adapts Margaret Atwood’s classic novel. “The Handmaid’s Tale” paints a bleak but accurate picture of a society where unchecked patriarchy runs everything. In many senses, it is not a dystopia but a reality. This speculative fiction portrays a new world order (not necessarily ‘new’) where women are flung to the lowest class. Their rights to read, earn, and own property are removed. They are mostly present for their ability to bear a child. It is slavery.
The world, known as Gilead, is brutal to women. Obedience to authority is strictly demanded. Something we have started to notice in “Silo” as well. Authorities deciding on women’s rights to bear a child is something we have in common between these two shows. “The Handmaid’s Tale” traverses a different way. However, both shows try to depict that it does not matter if the world is a wasteland or not; it is a dystopia if your freedom is taken away.
