The Magnus Archives

Written by Jonathan Sims

Directed by Alexander J. Newall

Distributed by Rusty Quill

Horror, Audio Podcast

The Magnus Archives is a horror audiodrama "podcast", similar to old-timey radio dramas, that was posted on Youtube and Spotify from 2016 to 2021. The show has run for five seasons (with 4/5 being my personal favorites, but they're all good), and comes in a "novel"-like format as well for those who do not enjoy audiobooks. I initially found this series online, and proceeded to spend the next 6 months listening to it as I drifted off to bed or at work filling out monotonous paperwork on every tittering Monday, mundane Tuesday, and the occasional freaky Friday. I thoroughly enjoyed the series, and I would recommend listening to it if you ever need something to fill the silent void or repetition of repetition, the typing of typing of typing as your eyes glaze over from the white screen to the black grazing pavement of the road. If you like radio dramas, the Nightvale series (while I haven't listened to it all, I have been told its similar), or are interested in Lovecraft (particularly the slow-burn gradual reveal of a horrible truth of reality), then give it a look! 

The Magnus Archives revolves around Jonathan Sims, the head archivist of the Magnus Institute. The Institute is dedicated to the documentation of paranormal and supernatural activity witnessed by the public. Recently its previous head archivist, Gertrude Robinson, vanished, leaving her backlog of undocumented supernatural incidents being left to Jonathan Sims to sort through as the new head archivist. 

The general narration of each episode falls into one of three sections:

a. A member of the public visit the institute to give "statements" about their personal experience with the supernatural.

b. Jonathan Sims records a previously given statement in audio format for posterity, and to aid in the Institutes organization.

c. A statement is given surrounding the Institute itself; Jonathan Sims, his coworkers, strange happenings and concerns that crop up, their uncertanties.

For context, "statements" are stories that are discussed in each episode regarding one supernatural experience. Think of them as short horror stories that lie outside (and sometimes inside!) the stories of the Institutes office life. Despite these statements appearing to be random, short stories about terrible troubles and twisting terrors, they are all actually connected. In fact, all of these stories can be pieced together into a loose, linear plot; of course, the stories are not presented in order, but patterns do begin to form over time with reoccurring characters and monsters.

The series, in this sense, has two "plots". One is the assortment of past horror stories offered up by members of the public in the prior decades that Jonathan Sims sorts through, while the other is the progressing story of the present day Institute's workers and realization surrounding the mysteries of the archive.

Because of this, it is recommended to watch the series in order. Especially since the plot lines set in the present day slowly shift to take priority as the series progresses.

There isn't TOO too much to say about the overarching themes of the book without spoiling most of the series (also the series doesn't exclusively focus on a singular theme or aspect of human experience that can be singled out, such as abuse, love, the changing of morality under duress, or how the series highlights the conflict of our ambitions and the "right" decision however much harm we may perceive that decision to bring. Or actually, it does touch on all of those. Nevermind then). One thing that the series is based on the concept of fear. In fact, every story is based on the idea of fear, and what makes us afraid. Not in a "horror story must be scary" from a narrative view, but a "fear is ingrained into all of us, what becomes of it" on an instinctual level sort of view. And thats as much as I will ever say about the themes because... well... its a five season audio drama I can't go TOO much into it.

The Cast (as far as you know) of the Magnus Institute

Jonathan Sims - Head Archivist of the Magnus Institute; cynical, a skeptic of the supernatural, abrasive

Martin - Archivist Assistant; upbeat, energetic, gentle, genuinely cares about everyone and lets it be known

Tim - Archivist Assistant (Actually everyone but two characters are assistants); its Tim, his enthusiasim is thin, he has a chin, and he hates clowns (doesn't rhyme but you live with it)

Sasha - SASHA!!!! The reasonable of the bunch

Elias - The Head of the Magnus Institute - what a sly little fellow he is, I dare say. Jonathans boss.

Gertrude Robinson - former Head Archivist; doesn't take any insult from anyone, shrewd, currently missing

Now, you may wonder:

What if I am afraid of some things in particular, like spiders or falling or the dark or finding out that I bought a carton full of cracked eggs?

Not to fear, the transcript versions of the series have warnings listed at the top that warn you of any major fears, tricks, and terrors that will be present throughout the story. If you're fine with 99% of horror, but REALLY don't want to listen to a story that talks about fish, the water, or fish IN the water (the thoughts, how they make me shudder), then you can just listen or read the warning at the beginning of each episode to see if you should skip it.

What if I'm not good at piecing together a set of disconnected stories and statements into one cohesive narrative story?

Do not worry, I am not good with names and dates either. If you do not want to scrounge together a giant bulletin board with lists of dates, names, and scribbles of who-did-what-when, then you can always refer to the ever helpful wiki. The Magnus Archives already has a preexisting community of fans that have written down everything that happens story wise in chronological order. Also some of the characters will bluntly tell you, "Oh, Mr. X, from the Statement about Y and Z". I wouldn't recommend looking up the chronological timeline until you are at least most of the way through the story, or until they become fully relevant with the characters repeatedly reappearing and speaking in multiple back-to-back episodes; otherwise you might see something spoiled that you rather wouldn't have seen.

Your responses and writings have been suspiciously vague (as it is a 5 season show and I don't want to ruin/spoil 4 of those 5 seasons by saying too much). What CAN you spoil about the show (just a little spoiler as a treat, surely?)

The show features:

A well-written romance, drama, and relationships between the characters

A incessantly elaborate timeline which you can puzzle together like a massive Who-dunnit

An examination into the idea of fears, their origins, and impact on our personal and societal lives

A rom-com. Technically a rom-com. There's romance and I found some of the dialogue funny.

C4 in a box. The explosive.

An irrational hatred of a table that is completely reasonable given the impact it has on everything no I am not mad I am heartbroken

An abandoned tunnel complex AND an institute. I know. Fabulous news.

A lot of eyes, and a lot of audio tapes.

You know, there could be a parallel drawn between Jonathan Sims and the viewer in regards to their obsession of knowledge despite the implications wrought from their curiousity.

A supernatural skeptic arguing with a paranormal-hunting Youtuber

But what if I want MORE Magnus Archives?

Firstly, CALM DOWN. Thank you. 

There is a sequel to the Magnus Archives called the Magnus Protocol. I cannot give a review on this one because it's currently still in Season 1, and I don't want to judge an entire series based off of a single season. Also I've only seen a few episodes...