X
- 2022
- TV-MA
- Netflix
- 2022
- TV-MA
- Netflix
Summary Archivist Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie) becomes obsessed with the subject of the old videotapes he was hired to restore: documentary filmmaker Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi) and her investigation into a cult in this supernatural horror series loosely based on the podcast of the same name.
- 2022
- TV-MA
- Netflix
- 2022
- TV-MA
- Netflix
Archive 81
Season 1 Premiere: Jan 14, 2022
73
7.0
Where to Watch
Summary Archivist Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie) becomes obsessed with the subject of the old videotapes he was hired to restore: documentary filmmaker Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi) and her investigation into a cult in this supernatural horror series loosely based on the podcast of the same name.
Where to Watch
All Seasons
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 16 Critic Reviews
73
81% Positive
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
19% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 16 Critic Reviews
73
81% Positive
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
19% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Like most horror series and movies, Archive 81 requires some suspension of disbelief, but just give it time and it will slowly rope in the non-genre fans with its poignant specificity and drama.
At its best, “Archive 81” taps into that sense that there’s something truly malevolent hiding in plain sight. ... When the writing has to disappointingly pull back from the questions to provide answers in the final pair of episodes, it’s less powerful, but the journey has been satisfying enough by then that it can be forgiven, and the finale takes some risks that should be divisive.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 65 User Ratings
7.0
72% Positive
47 Ratings
47 Ratings
17% Mixed
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
11% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 65 User Ratings
7.0
72% Positive
47 Ratings
47 Ratings
17% Mixed
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
11% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
It’s fun to check out a few of the first-season “Archive 81″ podcast episodes, just to see where and how the basics have been amplified, revised, imagined for the eyes as well as the ears. Shihabi and Athie, their eyes full of dread and wonder, are reason enough to watch.
The brisk, tense, efficiently told first episode gives way to later installments filled with padded-out incidents, red herrings, and dead ends. Anyone hooked by the beginning won't be let down by the end, and the mood of unflagging dread helps keep the suspense high even when the story hits a lull. Just be prepared for some narrative dry stretches along the way.
"Archive 81" draws upon very old horror themes, including whether seeing is really believing, and how evil might be hiding in plain view. Like the videotapes themselves, there are glitches along the way, but unlike some recent entries in this genre (hello, "Brand New Cherry Flavor"), not enough of them to provoke hitting the "eject" button.
As with most series of this nature, it’s better watched over time rather than binged all at once, when the leaps of faith required to get past various illogicalities and inconsistencies can become too exhausting. It’s one of those programmes where you are best advised to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.
It’s not that the show would be better if it withheld more, but most of the steps building the world of “Archive 81” outward are done in a way that feels more obligatory than efficient.
It's gripping and engaging. Twists and turns that one wouldn't expect. A perfect mix of horror, thriller and the psychological. It's fresh and captures the viewer from the get go. It's impossible not to binge watch, the acting performance was flawless and the visuals add to the total immersion. A throughly impressive show from start to finish, the wait for season two will be a hardship.
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Really enjoyed this one. Stayed engaging throughout the whole show and sent me down a road searching for dark, mysterious scifi horror crossovers - which are actually a bit difficult to find, as it turns out! Kinda bummed it got cancelled.
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I watched the whole thing because I thought that watching something different would be interesting, but the mysteries ended up being meaningless and I really regret giving a chance to this show. Most episodes were bad. The motivations of each characters are unclear, which makes it impossible for us to feel engaged to them. The story, the screenplay, and the dialogues are so full of plot holes and non-sense that it is also nearly impossible to intellectually or emotionally engage with the series. I wish Netlix would bring back The OA instead of this. Also, other series like Dark are WAY better when with sci-fi, drama and investigation.
Some professional critics wrote that the show relies on our suspension of disbelief, but I think it relies on us switching our brain totally off. What a bad series! I kinda hope it get cancelled otherwise it's an insult to the OA.
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I would give this an even lower score if I could .. Dear Hollywood; there is a difference between creating suspense with minimalism and just plain have absolutely NOTHING TO SAY and zero sense of atmosphere. This is one of those shows that starts out with the painfully slow pacing that is a technique to create suspense but then other methods are used to suspend the suspense. Here its just like watching a superstitious friend stare into an empty closet convincing her self that there is something in there when there is nothing. The pacing and pathetic offerings serve to be nothing more than annoying. Its like watching The Blair Twitt project mixed with Paranormal.. all a bunch of idiots bumbling around in collective hysteria. Come on baby, do the camera shake! Thats excellant story telling technique right there.
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Production Company:
- Atomic Monster
Initial Release Date: Jan 14, 2022
Number of seasons: 1 Season
Rating: TV-MA
Awards
Young Artist Awards
• 2 Nominations
ReFrame
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination