Archive 81: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Ratings

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Archive 81

Now Playing: Archive 81

Season Details & Credits

Netflix | Season Premiere Date: January 14, 2022

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.

Genre(s): Drama, Horror, Science Fiction

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E8. What Lies Beneath
Air Date: January 14, 2022
tbd
S1:E7. The Ferryman
Air Date: January 14, 2022
tbd
S1:E6. The Circle
Air Date: January 14, 2022

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Saloni Gajjar

Jan 13, 2022

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. Read full review

Rob Owen

Jan 11, 2022

“Archive 81” starts strong with creepy atmospherics, gets a little confusing in its mythology around episode six but then clears everything up in time for a cliffhanger in the eighth episode. Read full review

John Anderson

Jan 14, 2022

"Archive 81," the Netflix series "loosely inspired" by the podcast of the same name, is a worthy addition to the catalog. ... The showrunner, Rebecca Sonnenshine, makes the right move. The casting is first rate. ... Are there a lot of narratives at work in "Archive 81"? Yes, but think of them as tentacles. Read full review

Keith Phipps

Jan 11, 2022

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. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Jan 14, 2022

"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. Read full review

Roxana Hadadi

Jan 13, 2022

Generously, this bounty could be viewed as a love letter to the genre. In execution, though, Archive 81 somewhat lacks a prevailing identity of its own, even as it masters slow-burning dread. Read full review

IndieWire Steve Greene

Jan 14, 2022

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. Read full review

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User Score

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7.1

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User Reviews

Squish55

Mar 21, 2022

This was a great show. It constantly kept me guessing which each episode. It made me want to see the next episode the second one ended.

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MalX

Jan 16, 2022

Being a fan of the original Podcast material I can say there are some things I did not like about the TV adaptation but also do appreciate how certain aspects were excluded. Although the ending of the season has left me unimpressed with the direction they took with the show. That's myBeing a fan of the original Podcast material I can say there are some things I did not like about the TV adaptation but also do appreciate how certain aspects were excluded. Although the ending of the season has left me unimpressed with the direction they took with the show. That's my personal take but the show was a rollercoaster ride, would recommend.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Randomthought

Feb 27, 2022

found it an enjoyable and engaging watch. Will definitely watch the next season.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Mal81

Jan 22, 2022

Kept me engaged, and looks like a great start to a mind bending show. Great performances all around, has left me with a general sense of unease and that's the kind of thriller I want. Kudos.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Seasons & Episodes

73

Series Overview
Season 1

73
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: January 14, 2022
- tbd
  S1:E8. What Lies Beneath
  Air Date: January 14, 2022
- tbd
  S1:E7. The Ferryman
  Air Date: January 14, 2022
- tbd
  S1:E6. The Circle
  Air Date: January 14, 2022
- tbd
  S1:E5. Through the Looking Glass
  Air Date: January 14, 2022
- tbd
  S1:E4. Spirit Receivers
  Air Date: January 14, 2022
- tbd
  S1:E3. Terror in the Aisles
  Air Date: January 14, 2022
- tbd
  S1:E2. Wellspring
  Air Date: January 14, 2022
- tbd
  S1:E1. Mystery Signals
  Air Date: January 14, 2022