Tag: Archive 81

Ranking my Top 10 Television Shows of 2022: Which Shows Made The Cut?

It’s that time of year again! As we get closer and closer to approaching 2023, I thought it would be the perfect time to count down my Top 10 TV Shows of 2022. 

While some returning shows continued strong, others fell off slightly. Meanwhile, some other new shows completely captivated my attention, paving their way into my top 10.

Without any further delay, let’s get to my list!

My Top 10 Television Shows of 2022 are:

10

Peacemaker

Image courtesy of HBO Max

I didn’t know how I felt about this particular character getting a spin-off series at first, but this show was an absolute blast to watch. It had lots of action, humor, and amazing supporting characters that stole the show at times.

9

Stay Close

Image courtesy of Netflix

My top ten list wouldn’t feel complete without adding a Harlan Coben series and Stay Close did an exceptional job of hooking the audience from the very start with surprising reveals, insane twists, and two wacky villains who somehow made everything work seamlessly.

8

Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin

Image courtesy of HBO Max

After a few other PLL spin-off series, I managed my expectations with this one, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. Pretty Little Liars always had undertones of a teen slasher and this series made it a reality, bringing us some intense chase scenes and a solid mystery surrounding our new characters.

7

The Summer I Turned Pretty

Image courtesy of Prime Video

Whether you’re a fan of the book series or watching this for the first time, you’re in for a beautiful and emotional ride. At first glance, this series seemed like every other coming-of-age teen series on television, but it quickly stood out with moving performances and characters to root for.

6

Only Murders in the Building (season 2)

Image courtesy of Hulu

Season one was absolutely fantastic to watch and I was thrilled that our beloved trio was back for season two. While it didn’t pack the same punch as the first season, it was still a lot of fun with a decent mystery at its core.

5

Wednesday

Image courtesy of Netflix

Jenna Ortega was so incredible in this series! I loved the vibe of this show. It really allowed the character of Wednesday to shine with a welcomed YA feel that never overdid it with the teen drama. This was such a delightful treat!

4

Better Call Saul (final season)

Image courtesy of AMC

Incredible performances, a satisfying ending, and some truly intense moments that made television history. This series was absolutely fantastic and I will miss watching it!

3

All of Us Are Dead

Image courtesy of Netflix

I didn’t think I needed another coming-of-age zombie series, but this South Korean series was one of the best shows I have watched in a long time. It was brutal and bloody with incredible characters. I absolutely loved this one and could not stop watching it!

2

The White Lotus (season 2)

Image courtesy of HBO Max

Season two was much better than season one. The characters were fantastic with a returning favorite and the mystery was much more interesting this time around. I loved the setting and that ending was incredible!

Honorable Mentions:

Ozark (final season)

The Flight Attendant (season 2)

Archive 81 

Killing Eve (final season)

Who Killed Sara? (final season)

What We Do In the Shadows (season 4)

Welcome to Eden

Drum roll please…

1

Stranger Things (season 4)

Image courtesy of Netflix

Season four was jam-packed with so many epic moments! I loved the 80’s horror vibe and the music was the best it’s ever been. Season four really allowed some of its characters to shine while giving some newcomers a chance to light up the screen as well in the best way possible. This show is always so entertaining, but season four took things to the next level!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and comments about your favorite television shows of 2022. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing in the new year!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Spoiler-Free Review of “Feria: The Darkest Light” on Netflix: Moody Cult Mystery

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“So what happened to them?”

Feria: The Darkerst Light released on Netflix on January 28th 2022 with eight episodes available to stream now. The Spanish fantasy thriller series stars Ana Tomeno, Carla Campra, Carlos Scholz, Marta Nieto and Ernest Villegas. Each episode runs for approximately 48-50 minutes.

After discovering that their parents were responsible for leading a cult that resulted in the death of twenty-three people, two sisters find themselves thrown into a dark new reality with a supernatural presence, as they try to figure out what happened to them.

Here is the trailer:

Feria: The Darkest Light creates a chilling and unnerving tone throughout the series as it draws you deeper into its twisted mystery, but does it do enough to be worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Nails the unsettling vibe…

This series really embraced its dark and moody tone. There was this lingering feeling of uneasiness throughout the series. I was genuinely disturbed by a lot of what I witnessed and I thought the use of color and camera effects really intensified this chilling vibe. There was a darkness in this town and the series did a good job of submerging its audience into it as well.

A mystery that will reel you in for more.

The opening episode didn’t hold anything back. We were immediately thrown into the mystery surrounding this creepy cult and I don’t know about you, but these mysteries freak me out the most. That being said, a lot of series seem to be highlighting this particular kind of mystery lately so maybe the timing wasn’t the best, but I thought each episode did enough to bring you back for more for the most part.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Uninspiring characters…

Some characters were stronger than others, but I had a hard time connecting to our main character. It’s really hard for me to get into a show if I’m not invested in the main character so that was a major con for me.

Slow pacing.

The series started off strong for me but the episodes that followed really slowed down in terms of pacing. I also thought a lot of what was shown was really repetitive and the series revealed too much too quickly so I had a hard time sticking around for more after that.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m 50/50 on this one…

The series had a lot of potential and the mystery was genuinely unsettling and creepy. I needed some more character development and spark to stay invested and I also thought the pacing needed a lot of work, but if you enjoy cult thrillers, you can add this one to your list. I personally think you’re better off watching Archive 81 instead, however.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Feria: The Darkest Light in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Face your fear…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

My young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Archive 81” on Netflix: Chilling and Consuming Watch

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“Please find me…”

Archive 81 premiered on January 14th 2022 on Netflix. All eight episodes are available to stream now. The horror mystery series stars Mamoudou Athie, Dina Shihabi, Matt McGorry, Ariana Neal and Evan Jonigkeit. Each episode runs for approximately 55-57 minutes.

An archivist named Dan takes a job restoring old videotapes up in the Catskills, uncovering a mystery surrounding the missing director and a supernatural cult.

Here is the trailer:

Archive 81 reels you in with a slow burn approach that manages to transform into something truly disturbing as we are along for the ride to discover what truly happened to the girl on the tapes. Is it worthy of your next binge-watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

A mystery that pulls you into the rabbit hole with each episode.

I love feeling like I’m a part of the mystery and I thought that this series managed to bring the audience in effortlessly. I found myself trying to piece together all of the clues and my eyes were glued to the screen the entire time. Much like the archivist, Dan, I felt a need to find out what truly happened to the girl on the tapes, luring me in more and more.

The series gave me some Last Night in Soho and 1BR vibes, so if you enjoyed those films, you will feel right at home with this one.

A show you’ll think about long after it is over.

I can always tell when I truly appreciate and love a series. It always comes back to the shows that create a dialogue worth having, leaving you with even more questions and theories. It’s a show that you just want to talk to someone about. It’s that good! It will resonate with you and really make you think even after we witness many of the reveals.

We also got that major cliffhanger at the end to contemplate so I’m crossing my fingers that we will see a season two!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Slow moving at times…

The episodes are super long and the opening episodes dragged a little for me. At one point I thought I had been watching it for over two hours and realized I had only been actually watching for thirty minutes. I think the pacing drastically improved by the time we got to episode three and thinking back on it, I actually felt like the slow burn approach worked because it mirrored what Dan was going through as the archivist.

That being said, I would have preferred the episodes to be just a little shorter but I still managed to watch this series in almost one day!

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!

Chilling and disturbing on so many levels! A worthy mystery that will keep you guessing until the end and well after that!

I absolutely loved this series and I can’t stop talking about it!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Archive 81 in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My new supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!