Archive 81 to become a top Netflix hit within its first week of release

Virgin Radio

17 Jan 2022, 10:44

The latest horror series to drop on Netflix, Archive 81, is set to become the streaming platform’s next hit passing the likes of Emily in Paris, The Witcher and Cobra Kai.

It snuck under the radar for a lot of people, but not even a week since its release Archive 81 has raced up Netflix’s top 10 charts.

As of today (17 January), the show has become the second most-watched series in the US and the #1 scripted series- taking the most-watched spot at the moment is the docuseries, Cheer.

The mystery horror series was adapted from a podcast of the same name, which is currently on its third season. The plot follows the main character, Dan, as he pieces together footage of an eerie apartment complex shot in the 1990s by Melody, a film student.

Although instead of watching grainy filmed footage, the show actually spans the two timelines, and viewers jump between them- so we are just as invested in Melody’s story as we are with Dan.

The series is marketed as a ‘horror’, but it’s not as scary as you might think- so good news for those who aren’t huge thriller fans.

Executive producer to the show, James Wan, is the director behind The Conjuring and Insidious, so it’s no surprise fans were expecting something along those lines- however, Archive 81 relies more on cosmic horror than anything else.

There is a creepiness to it, but that comes more from the weird, isolated settings and jarring musical score than demons and possessions.

It’s not packed full of jumpscares, either, despite what the trailer leads you to believe. But there are enough to make it tense.

Think more along the lines of cult horror films like Midsommar. 

What will draw viewers into the series the most is its mystery element. As Melody delves deeper into the lives of people living in the complex, viewers are also led further down the rabbit hole, and questions begin to arise.

It also ended on quite the cliff-hanger- so be prepared for a season two!

All eight episodes of Archive 81 are now available to stream on Netflix.