Keeps you guessing and sets up a thrilling mystery that strikes a great balance between scary and WTF? Like the writing and acting, the idea about restoring 'lost videotapes' that hold secrets is great, the remote location Dan has to work from adds to the eeriness. I just hope the series can keep up the pace and thrill.
9 Reviews
An intriguing start.
Sleepin_Dragon23 January 2022
Well that was different.
I got about ten minutes in, and wanted to switch off, as it was a rather slow start, however after about twenty minutes I was into it, half an hour and I was hooked.
Part one is a slow burner, but is ultimately rewarding, it sets the scene, introduces the characters, gives a few scares, and even explains in part why Dan is part of events.
It's very atmospheric, it's a measured pace, but the story is really intriguing. I get an almost 80's vibe to the story, if this had been a remake, I wouldn't have been surprised, that's a good thing.
So impressed by Mamoudou Athie, how good was that guy!
I'm interested to see how this plays out over eight episodes.
8/10.
I got about ten minutes in, and wanted to switch off, as it was a rather slow start, however after about twenty minutes I was into it, half an hour and I was hooked.
Part one is a slow burner, but is ultimately rewarding, it sets the scene, introduces the characters, gives a few scares, and even explains in part why Dan is part of events.
It's very atmospheric, it's a measured pace, but the story is really intriguing. I get an almost 80's vibe to the story, if this had been a remake, I wouldn't have been surprised, that's a good thing.
So impressed by Mamoudou Athie, how good was that guy!
I'm interested to see how this plays out over eight episodes.
8/10.
This is really creepy
nlmike24 January 2022
I am glad they used a lot of fairly unknown actors, though there is one i Dig ;-)
This episode put my teeth on edge, it has a really dark atmosphere and you really have no idea what to expect.
I do have a feeling where this might be going, but let's see!
There is one Trivia point about someone in a red jacket. And when i rewatched it, it just put my neck hairs right up. Possibly there happened a lot more, just out of view.
Promising start and not for the feint of heart.
This episode put my teeth on edge, it has a really dark atmosphere and you really have no idea what to expect.
I do have a feeling where this might be going, but let's see!
There is one Trivia point about someone in a red jacket. And when i rewatched it, it just put my neck hairs right up. Possibly there happened a lot more, just out of view.
Promising start and not for the feint of heart.
Perfect start..
yuseralhaj17 June 2022
Creepy, a bit exotic, the type of horror that doesn't rely on scarry jumps, the story here really matters.
I like the atmosphere, I hope the events would escalate with more in the next few episodes, seems to be a promising start..
I like the atmosphere, I hope the events would escalate with more in the next few episodes, seems to be a promising start..
Spooky and Delightful
bella-enfield21 January 2022
Such a strong pilot episode and I am already hooked. The setting is erie and chilling and all the words you can associate with thrillers. I am probably the worst person to watch spooky stuff like this with cause I sit there and yell, "No! Nope! Don't do that!" at the screen like they can hear me. This episode passed that test with flying colors.
Music and acting are both spine-tingling and freak me out in the best way. So so excited for more!
Music and acting are both spine-tingling and freak me out in the best way. So so excited for more!
too predictable, too much exposition. Still intriguing
JustHavingALook7 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I did not know what to expect from this pilot. Zero. Which is a plus in this period of time in history.
If you like the suspense/thriller, give it a try. I couldnt see any 'supernatural horror' stuff netflix promises so far
The good stuff: good acting, it flows naturally. Lead character is excellent. Cinematography is on point and... locations they picked? Smart. The brutalist office/research campus is sinister and Shining-y enough to keep me interested.
Goof old analog VHS. Love it. Good scenes, tight editing.
Personally I do like to have parallel timelines and storylines(nowadays and 1994) I liked a subtle touch: the protagonist is told by his boss not to make a copy of a certain movie but we understand he didnt obey to the request. A Set up for the room he tries open in the research campus
The bad stuff: I cannot care at all about the protagonist. There is a big traumatic experience in his past, ok. He's curios, ok. He wants to know what happened to his family and the people in the NYC building, ok. Sorry, not enough. The way he accepts to spend a good chunk of time in seclusion (with just a small bag btw? LOL) is too far off: the dog and the collar in the photo.. come on, not believable.
The mysterious biz man talks too much. Too much exposition bothers me a lot. "We know this and that about you", "there is no internet service here, this room at that room" .
I had predicted that a member of his family was going to be in a tape from the 1994 recording. Lame.
The cliffhanger at the end is not a cliffhanger, there is nothing at stake really.
If you like the suspense/thriller, give it a try. I couldnt see any 'supernatural horror' stuff netflix promises so far
The good stuff: good acting, it flows naturally. Lead character is excellent. Cinematography is on point and... locations they picked? Smart. The brutalist office/research campus is sinister and Shining-y enough to keep me interested.
Goof old analog VHS. Love it. Good scenes, tight editing.
Personally I do like to have parallel timelines and storylines(nowadays and 1994) I liked a subtle touch: the protagonist is told by his boss not to make a copy of a certain movie but we understand he didnt obey to the request. A Set up for the room he tries open in the research campus
The bad stuff: I cannot care at all about the protagonist. There is a big traumatic experience in his past, ok. He's curios, ok. He wants to know what happened to his family and the people in the NYC building, ok. Sorry, not enough. The way he accepts to spend a good chunk of time in seclusion (with just a small bag btw? LOL) is too far off: the dog and the collar in the photo.. come on, not believable.
The mysterious biz man talks too much. Too much exposition bothers me a lot. "We know this and that about you", "there is no internet service here, this room at that room" .
I had predicted that a member of his family was going to be in a tape from the 1994 recording. Lame.
The cliffhanger at the end is not a cliffhanger, there is nothing at stake really.
an intriguing start
AvionPrince1617 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I enjoyed the first episode. It have some interesting plot and we follow Dan. A guy who accept a job to restore some old tapes. Like the podcast, we see trough the tape Melody Pendras who want to learn more about the Visser Building. We meet Jesse and something will make things happen more tense when we know that Jesse is taken and we also have the surprise to see Dan's father in the building but we wondering if it was not the goal to make the things like this because we see that his employee watch him trough the surveillance camera. A nice episode with some mysteries, surprises some investigations and we just wondering what will happened.
Great pilot
zzingoo19 January 2022
It was not a good idea for me to start this series late at night in bed. Need to pause this for tomorrow then its daylight.. goosebumbs all over my body.. Im usually not get easily scared by horrormovies but this has something.
[7.6] What is real, what is not?!
cjonesas20 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Pilot: An intriguing episode with (very) good acting, too much naivety and trust along the way, very bad decisions for both Melody and Dan, for Melody much more though, and very unrealistic over-dramatized stuff and happenings that really don't look real.
For, seriously, how could that happen in 94 as well as in the present time?! Silliness knows no limit.
But!, that's a series, let's assume that those could have happened and be happening, then, let Dan unravel the mystery! Don't let those freaks win and besides that, let Dan's friend play a more active role...
Personal opinion: I didn't like at all the video surveillance and if Dan was completely alone in that remote place, it would have helped to build up a terrific suspense and thrilling atmosphere.
For, seriously, how could that happen in 94 as well as in the present time?! Silliness knows no limit.
- A girl doesn't go there alone, stay there alone and do what she planned to do.
- A young man alone doesn't go into that freaking place alone. Do you trust the owner?! I, for my part, wouldn't do the requested for even 10 M doll.
But!, that's a series, let's assume that those could have happened and be happening, then, let Dan unravel the mystery! Don't let those freaks win and besides that, let Dan's friend play a more active role...
Personal opinion: I didn't like at all the video surveillance and if Dan was completely alone in that remote place, it would have helped to build up a terrific suspense and thrilling atmosphere.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
