Fans of the psychological thriller Severance, which debuted in 2022 and quickly gained acclaim for its complex storytelling, will find Julia Roberts’ Prime Video thriller Homecoming a compelling series to add to their watchlist. Both shows explore intricate narratives involving memory and identity, making Homecoming a fitting recommendation while audiences await the next season of Severance.
A Gripping Psychological Thriller That Resonates With Severance Viewers
Homecoming, which premiered on Prime Video in 2018, stars Julia Roberts as Heidi Bergman, a former caseworker at the Homecoming Transitional Support Center—a facility designed to help soldiers adjust to civilian life. The story begins years after Heidi leaves this center, as the Department of Defense seeks answers about her departure, forcing her to confront unsettling truths and hidden layers of her past. Based on a podcast of the same name, the show effectively translates its suspenseful and mysterious source material for a television audience.
Severance and Homecoming share a similar appeal because both delve into the disorienting effects of memory manipulation and corporate secrecy. In Homecoming, Roberts portrays a character entangled in issues of memory loss and corporate agendas, echoing the enigmatic Lumon Industries plotline in Severance. These themes create a tense atmosphere filled with plot twists and dark intrigue that keep viewers engaged.
While many contemporary action-thrillers struggle to stand out, Homecoming distinguishes itself by constantly challenging the audience‘s perceptions. The show carefully peels back the layers of corruption and psychological manipulation woven into its narrative, compelling viewers to question everything they witness on screen. This complexity and depth make it a strong choice for fans of suspenseful, cerebral television.
The Transition from Julia Roberts to Janelle Monáe and the Second Season’s New Direction
Julia Roberts’ involvement was limited to the first season of Homecoming, as she was only contracted for one installment, primarily due to her focus on film work. Despite her absence, the second season maintains its intrigue through Janelle Monáe’s introduction as Jacqueline, a new protagonist whose journey also revolves around recovering lost memories and uncovering hidden motivations. Monáe’s portrayal offers a fresh perspective while preserving the show’s dark and suspenseful tone.
Although the sequel season received some criticism, it was not directed at Monáe’s performance or Roberts‘ departure. Instead, the challenge lay in extending a tightly woven initial story into a longer arc while keeping the narrative fresh. Nevertheless, Homecoming remains a significant entry in Prime Video’s lineup of sci-fi thrillers, holding its own within a competitive genre.
Comparing Homecoming and Severance: Puzzle-Box Thrillers for Dedicated Audiences
Much like Severance, which was created by Dan Erickson and features Adam Scott as Mark Scout—a man whose work and personal memories are surgically separated—Homecoming engages audiences through a puzzle-box format. Both series layer clues and revelations over time, weaving complex stories that demand attention to detail and reward patient viewers with striking plot resolutions.
Severance’s acclaim partly stems from its distinct blend of mystery, science fiction, and psychological drama, directed by notable talents including Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle. Homecoming shares this blend, carefully threading suspenseful storytelling with character-driven drama and intense thematic exploration. The presence of strong supporting actors such as Stephan James, Bobby Cannavale, Hong Chau, and Alex Karpovsky adds to the richness of Homecoming’s world, paralleling Severance’s well-rounded cast.
Why Homecoming’s Themes and Atmosphere Make It Essential Viewing for Genre Fans
At its core, Homecoming explores the human psyche under pressure, especially focusing on memory and trauma. The series’ setting—a government facility with unclear ethical boundaries—mirrors the mysterious Lumon Industries in Severance, creating an unsettling sense of control and manipulation. Heidi Bergman’s story forces her to confront these manipulative forces, a journey that deeply resonates with viewers who appreciate smart, somber psychological dramas.
The show’s production values and writing heighten its tense, contemplative atmosphere, offering viewers a series that is not only thrilling but also emotionally layered. From an intense storyline dealing with the aftermath faced by soldiers reintegrating into society, to the slow uncovering of corporate deceptions, Homecoming invites audiences to linger thoughtfully on each revelation.
What to Expect Moving Forward and the Impact on Thriller Enthusiasts
For fans awaiting the continuation of Severance, Homecoming provides a satisfying substitute by delivering a similarly rich narrative filled with mystery and deep character study. Its success demonstrates the audience’s appetite for stories that combine psychological depth with high-stakes intrigue, confirming Prime Video as a strong platform for such content.
As streaming viewers increasingly seek thoughtful, puzzle-like thrillers, both Homecoming and Severance exemplify the genre’s potential for combining entertainment with intellectual engagement. The continued interest in series like these will likely encourage more projects that challenge conventional storytelling and explore themes of memory, identity, and control.
“Severance is a psychological thriller series featuring Adam Scott as Mark Scout, an employee at Lumon Industries who undergoes a ‘severance’ procedure to separate his work and personal memories. However, as work and life personas mysteriously begin to collide, it quickly becomes clear that not all is as it seems.” —Dan Erickson, Creator
“Homecoming is a psychological thriller series starring Julia Roberts. The story revolves around Heidi Bergman, a caseworker at the Homecoming Transitional Support Center, a facility that helps soldiers transition back to civilian life. Years after leaving the center, Heidi has started a new life when the Department of Defense questions why she left, forcing her to face the complexities and dark truths of her past.” —Show Description
