Horror fans will not want to miss the terrifying Archive 81 on Netflix. The eight-part series follows the stories of Dan (played by Mamoudou Athie) and Melody (Dina Shihabi), whose lives, 25 years apart, become creepily intertwined. With its spine-tingling plot and supernatural elements, this show promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Dan, a film restoration expert, is tasked with recovering Melody's video tapes, which may hold vital evidence to explain her apparent death. However, the deeper he digs into the tapes, the more sinister and supernatural events unfold. As Dan tries hard to get to the truth, the strangest things happen in the editing room, including the presence of demons and ghosts, and much, much more.
Newsweek has everything you need to know about Archive 81. Warning, this article contains spoilers.
Is 'Archive 81' Based on a True Story?
No, thankfully Archive 81 is not based on a true story. However, some elements of the show ring true, particularly regarding the existence of cults. The Netflix series is based on the 2016 horror podcast of the same name, created by Dan Powell and Marc Sollinger.
The podcast began airing in 2016, with its third and most recent season dropping in 2018. In 2019, it was followed by a three-episode mini-series titled Left of the Dial. Where the podcast focuses on audiotapes instead of videotapes, the Netflix series follows the story of Dan, who has been tasked with restoring old tapes belonging to billionaire Mr. Davenport (Martin Donovan) that were damaged in a tragic 1990s fire in an apartment building known as The Visser Building.
As part of his project, Dan is required to stay at an 80s-era compound belonging to Davenport, where the tapes have been kept for over 25 years. The building itself is enough to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. It's dark, dingy, and empty, with no internet or phone signal. Dan is totally alone there.
However, along the way, he becomes obsessed with a woman on the tapes named Melody, who reportedly died in the Visser Building fire at that time. Her body was never found, adding to the eerie atmosphere surrounding the tapes.
Understanding the Cultural References
Dan realizes a lot of the footage belonged to Melody, a graduate student working on an oral history project about apartment buildings in the area. After extensive analysis, Dan suspects that many residents in the building are part of a cult known as The Vos Society. As Screen Rant explains, the beliefs of The Vos Society regarding the fictional Comet Kharon closely resemble those of the real-life Heaven's Gate cult.
Members of the Heaven's Gate cult committed mass suicide in 1997, believing that the Comet Hale-Bopp would transport them to a new world as immortal extraterrestrial beings. This haunting parallel adds depth to the narrative of Archive 81, making it not just a horror story but also a commentary on real-life events.
Speaking to TV Over Mind, podcast creator Daniel Powell explained the inspiration behind the original podcast. He mentioned, "I’ve worked at a sound effects library for the past two years, and one of my jobs is reviewing and listening to all the sound effects that we acquire before they go live to the site." This unique background offers insights into the eerie soundscapes that characterize the series.
The Supernatural Elements
The series emphasizes supernatural themes, especially through its main antagonist, Kaelego—a demon from the Otherworld worshipped by the cult in statue form. Archive 81 showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine explained to The Wrap that Kaelego is not based on any specific mythological or supernatural figure. She describes Kaelego as having a Lovecraftian element, being an elder god or demon of sorts.
She stated, "It is not based on anything except for my head. This is kind of a Lovecraftian element to this show, which is an elder god or demon depending on how you look at it. So it feels real, but it's an invention and draws upon many tropes and other ideas." This unique creation contributes to the chilling atmosphere that surrounds the series.
Fans of Archive 81 are eagerly awaiting news about a possible second season. If given the green light, viewers can expect the continuation of the story, drawing from the podcast material and following up on the significant cliffhanger ending of Season 1.
At the end of Archive 81, Dan travels to the Otherworld, where Melody has been trapped since 1994. However, as they both try to return to reality, they become separated, leaving fans anxious to see how the story unfolds.
For those intrigued by this chilling tale, the Archive 81 podcast is available on various platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and more. You can dive deeper into the storyline and discover what happens next.
Archive 81 is streaming on Netflix now, making it a perfect binge-watch for horror enthusiasts!
The symbol of the Vos Society is shown below. In Archive 81, the Vos Society worships Kaelego, a demon from the Otherworld.
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