Archive 81: release date of Netflix horror drama, what is it about, cast, and where can I listen to podcast?

Mamoudou Athie and Dina Shihabi star in new Netflix thriller from a Stranger Things director
Mamoudou Athie and Dina Shihabi in Archive 81 (Credit: Netflix)Mamoudou Athie and Dina Shihabi in Archive 81 (Credit: Netflix)
Mamoudou Athie and Dina Shihabi in Archive 81 (Credit: Netflix)

Netflix’s latest supernatural thriller, Archive 81, arrived on the streaming service on January 14.

The new series, which stars Mamoudou Athie, is based on an existing popular podcast of the same name.

Here’s everything you need to know about Archive 81.

What is Archive 81 about?

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Archive 81 is a new supernatural thriller about an archivist who makes a terrible discovery while restoring a collection of videotapes.

The official Netflix synopsis for Archive 81 says the series “follows archivist Dan Turner, who takes a job restoring a collection of damaged videotapes from 1994. Reconstructing the work of a documentary filmmaker named Melody Pendras, he is drawn into her investigation of a dangerous cult at the Visser apartment building.”

“As the season unfolds across these two timelines, Dan slowly finds himself obsessed with uncovering what happened to Melody. When the two characters form a mysterious connection, Dan becomes convinced he can save her from the terrifying end she met 25 years ago.”

Who is in the cast of Archive 81?

Mamoudou Athie stars as archivist Dan Turner. You might recognise Athie from his roles in films such as The Front Runner, Unicorn Store, or The Circle, or from his lead role in television series Sorry For Your Loss. He can next be seen in Jurassic World: Dominion.

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Meanwhile, Dina Shihabi plays filmmaker Melody Pendras, whose work Dan sets about restoring. Shihabi has previously appeared in Netflix series Altered Carbon and Daredevil, as well as the US comedy Ramy.

The rest of the cast includes Martin Donovan (Tenet) as Virgil, Matt McGorry (Orange is the New Black) as Mark, Julia Chan (Saving Hope) as Anabelle, Evan Jonigkeit (X-Men: Days of Future Past) as Samuel, and Ariana Neal (Hidden Figures) as Jess.

Rebecca Sonnenshine (The Vampire Diaries) is acting as writer and showrunner, with Rebecca Thomas (Stranger Things) as director.

Where can I see the trailer for Archive 81?

You can see the trailer right here – it shows archivist Dan first being shown the collection of tapes, all that remains of the Visser apartment building…

How can I watch Archive 81?

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Archive 81 will be available to stream on Netflix on Friday 14 January 2022.

Is Archive 81 based on a podcast and where can I listen to it?

It is, yes – there are three seasons of the Archive 81 podcast currently available, with a fourth on the way.

You can find Archive 81 on a number of platforms, like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and SoundCloud as well as a number of others. It’s available to listen to for free.

Creators of the podcast Dan Powell and Marc Sollinger are serving as co-producers on this new adaptation.

Why should I watch Archive 81?

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Because it looks like an atmospheric and evocative supernatural thriller.

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