[Review] Archive 81: Netflix’s Horror Series Features Haunted VHS Footage
Netflix’s Archive 81 follows a dual narrative of Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie), a film archivist, who is recruited by millionaire Virgil Davenport (Martin Donovan) to restore a collection of fire-damaged VHS tapes from 1994. The footage was taken by a documentary filmmaker Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi), who moves to the famous Visser apartment building as part of a project. The Visser apartment was built on the site of a mansion that was burned down in 1920, and she interviews the occupants that live in the building. While Dan is recovering the footage in the present, he is fascinated by Melody’s investigation of the building and soon uncovers the secrets of a dangerous cult. He becomes convinced that he can save Melody from the fire that burnt down the Visser apartment 25 years ago.
Before Archive 81 was adapted into a Netflix series, the show was originally a podcast series that covers fictional “horror, cities, and the subconscious.” Storytelling can transcend into different mediums and the inspiration of the podcast takes found footage to a whole new meaning. The audio-based medium was inspired by shows such as The X Files, Twin Peaks and Fringe to bring the series to life, and draws from other horror and thriller movies such as Rosemary’s Baby, The Shining and Suspiria. First-time showrunner, Rebecca Sonnenshine (Prime Video’s The Boys), describes the show as a “mystery box show,” and blends many genres such as thriller, horror, supernatural, and suspense. The show consists of eight-hour long episodes filled with conspiracy theories, witchcraft, cults, haunting music and statues, seance, and hallucinations. The past and present cut back and forth as the viewer takes the time to understand the worlds of Dan and Melody.
Just like other horror series, Archive 81 is a slow-burn horror show that rewards its audience with compelling themes. It's an exploration of night terrors and Pagan rituals that are mysterious enough for viewers to patiently watch it till the end. A carefully constructed series doesn’t have to have jump scares or blood and gore. It relies on the compelling themes and the horror features, which are the strengths of the series. Both Dan and Melody are not physically present in each other’s worlds but the hallucinations shown in Archive 81 feels like those elements threaten each other’s lives.
Apart from the horror aspects, Archive 81 dives into the intergenerational trauma of Dan and Melody. The show cuts between the past and present and looks at how both of the characters deal with the loss of their loved ones. There are many sentimental moments between them, and the show connects their personal history in a meaningful way.
Archive 81 is an interesting show that delves into many themes and backstories of the characters. The show is somewhat visually stunning with the VHS footage shot that Shihabi took while shooting her scenes, which gave it a more realistic approach. From the moment Dan discovers that he is in for more than what he bargained for, Archive 81 becomes a terrifying story that involves haunted footage. The drama and horror features will rope the viewer into the series slowly, however, it takes time for the suspense to build up.
