Apple TV’s show Silo adapts a story deeply influenced by the Christopher Nolan sci-fi philosophy, particularly the one that inspired his film Inception, bringing this complex way of seeing reality to a modern TV audience. Released in an era overflowing with ambitious science fiction, Silo explores what happens when people question the very world they live in, drawing directly from ancient ideas still relevant in contemporary discussions.
How Plato’s Allegory Connects Silo and Nolan’s Work
In recent years, science fiction on both television and in movies has captivated audiences with its imaginative takes on reality. While many new releases stand out for their originality, several of these stories share common philosophical roots. Silo, the popular Apple TV series, and Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed film Inception trace their inspiration to the same philosophical concept.
Silo is based on Hugh Howey’s novel, which was directly inspired by Plato’s allegory of the cave. This allegory presents a scenario in which prisoners are confined in a cave, able to see only shadows cast on a blank wall, mistaking these shadows for reality itself. Similarly, characters in Silo are exposed only to projections of the supposedly “outside world,” leading them to accept illusions as fact.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, Cobb, in Inception experiences a comparable phenomenon. He, along with others, frequently believes in the reality of their surroundings, even when it turns out to be nothing more than a dream. The questions raised by both stories—what is real, and how can one recognize the illusion?—form a core part of their narratives.
“Dreams feel real while we’re in them. It’s only when we wake up that we realize something was actually strange,”
says Cobb, highlighting the importance of awakening before it is too late. – Cobb, Inception character
In both Inception and Silo, awakening from illusion is difficult. In Plato’s story, a prisoner manages to escape the cave, struggles to adapt to the world outside, and ultimately learns the truth about reality. In Silo, Juliette represents this liberated figure, wrestling with new revelations and facing misunderstanding from those still trapped in the established order. Likewise, Cobb’s personal journey in Inception reflects a movement toward truth, with his decision to let Mal go symbolizing his escape from a self-imposed cave. Throughout Nolan’s film, other dreamers choose to remain asleep, finding comfort in their dreams rather than confronting the unsettling reality beyond.
The Lasting Influence of Plato’s Philosophy in Sci-Fi
Plato’s cave allegory has left a significant mark on both classic and modern works. Its influence is most apparent in the film The Matrix, where Keanu Reeves‘ Neo mirrors the freed prisoner, with the Matrix itself serving as the illusion that envelops reality. The movie brings these philosophical questions into the digital age, making virtual illusion central to the plot.
George Orwell’s 1984 also brings up similar questions about truth and perception, though its approach is more political. The Truman Show presents a protagonist who believes his constructed world is real until evidence pushes him to question everything, aligning closely with Plato’s original concept. Television series like Westworld, Severance, and The OA explore various ways reality and illusion shape human experience, further cementing the enduring legacy of Plato’s ideas in science fiction storytelling.
Silo’s Storyline and Its Philosophical Outlook
Within the world of Silo, Juliette’s role as the “awakened” prisoner sets her apart from most other characters. Her outlook is less limited and more driven by a need to understand what is truly happening outside the bounds of her confined reality. It is likely that, over the course of the show, other characters may join her journey of discovery, challenging the comforting but false beliefs they once held.
Other figures, such as Bernard, may resist these revelations, preferring the safety offered by illusion to the risks and discomforts of facing the truth. This dynamic aligns Silo with Inception and other major science fiction works, where the desire to leave the metaphorical cave is often at odds with the comfort found in remaining inside it. As Silo continues, viewers can expect to see ongoing struggles between perception and reality, reflecting both ancient philosophy and the Christopher Nolan sci-fi philosophy at the heart of its source material.
