Archive 81 is Netflix's latest original horror series. The timing might seem a little bit weird since we're nowhere near Halloween. But I supposed coming from James Wan, the creator of The Conjuring universe, they just couldn't wait to release this one? Here's a brief, spoiler-free review.
What's It About?
Netflix's latest mini series is called Archive 81, and is loosely based on a podcast from a few years ago by the same name. The story focuses on our main character, Dan Turner, who seems to has his own unsettling past with his mysterious doctor-father that comes back to haunt him with a recent job he took.
The job is to restore old video tapes that were once burned in a fire. And if the job wasn't mysterious enough, the guy who hired him is also a mysteriously wealthy, intentionally vague older gentleman. One of the requirements of the job is to live on-site in a--you guessed it--creepy, mysterious concrete ultra-modern building.
The further Dan seems to dive into the tapes, the further we see him dive into his own psyche. So much so that the lines between past and present, real and fictional get very blurry.
There's another layer to our story here. One even more crucial to the plot and equally compelling than Dan's storyline. And that's the story behind the tapes.
The videographer from the early '90s is Melody Pendras, a graduate student who is as obsessive about filming as she is about digging into other peoples' business. Her video-based thesis revolves around a--you also guessed it--mysterious apartment building called the Vesser.
The Vesser was once a mansion that burned down and the apartment complex that now stands in its place houses various mysterious occupants that Melody wants to interview for her documentary.
Unfortunately, we already know the outcome which is referenced multiple times throughout the series before the ending. That is, the Vesser burns down killing 13 people, Melody being one of them. That is where Dan's story comes in, years later, to restore Melody's burnt footage.
The more he watches, the more he uncovers, and the more he seems to open the door for demonic, supernatural things to occur. What's the strange humming and mysterious gatherings that Melody captures on her tapes? Is it just a cult, or is it something more?
Is what Dan sees real, or is he slowly losing his mind?
Watch It Or Not?
As far as Netflix originals go, I could honestly take it or leave it. There are some that are so cringe it makes me wonder if I am going to watch another original (mainly the feature films), but the series usually turn out pretty good! This one is no exception.
It has a pretty decent creative team behind it. As mentioned previously, James Wan is an executive producer. It was developed for Netflix by Rebecca Sonnenshine, who previously wrote a few episodes of The Boys and Vampire Diaries (not necessarily creepy, but definitely good television).
It felt a little weird to get into something delightfully creepy considering it's January, but I enjoy a good spook fest if it can stand on its own outside of the realm of Halloween. I'd give this one a watch if you have time.
