SummaryArchivist 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.
Created By:Rebecca Sonnenshine
Archive 81
Season 1 Premiere:
Jan 14, 2022
Metascore
Generally Favorable
73
User score
Generally Favorable
7.0
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All Seasons
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
81% Positive
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
19% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Jan 13, 2022
83
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.
Jan 11, 2022
80
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
75% Positive
64 Ratings
64 Ratings
15% Mixed
13 Ratings
13 Ratings
9% Negative
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
Jan 24, 2022
10
Dope show. Slow burn, rewarding ending. Good setup for a second season, definitely worth a watch
Jan 18, 2022
75
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.
Jan 11, 2022
72
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.
Jan 14, 2022
70
"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.
Jan 13, 2022
60
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.
Jan 14, 2022
58
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.
Jan 17, 2022
10
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.
May 6, 2022
6
It's a decent mistery serie. Fist five episodes are really good they keep you hanging on the rest it's no that great.
Jan 22, 2022
4
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.
Sep 14, 2022
1
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.
