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Going through Netflix’s monthly slate is one of the best ways to line up your watchlist for what’s coming, but not every title heading to the streamer is always listed. By checking Netflix’s “coming this week” homepage on the app, you can actually spot a few titles arriving soon that you wouldn’t otherwise find in the February 2026 slate (and beyond). That’s why I was surprised to discover that “Archive” was being added today.
This sci‑fi thriller movie, released in 2020 and marking the feature directorial debut of Gavin Rothery, was largely overlooked upon release due to its very limited distribution and the COVID-19 pandemic. But after watching it for myself, I was not only pleasantly surprised by the genre-bending story, but I was also left with my jaw on the floor at a truly unexpected ending. Of course, this isn’t something I’m going to get into for fear of spoiling a great twist.
“Archive” is an accomplished sci‑fi flick that deserves wider appreciation even six years later. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, questioning everything along the way, without ever feeling like a lecture on AI. Now that it’s streaming on Netflix, I hope it gets the recognition it deserves, and here’s why it should be on your watchlist this weekend.
What is ‘Archive’ about?
“Archive” is set in the year 2038 and follows George Almore (Theo James), a robotics engineer stationed at a secluded research facility in Japan. George is working on developing a human-equivalent artificial intelligence, constructing successive robot prototypes to push his creations closer to true sentience.
At the same time, he uses a specialized technology from a company called Archive that allows people to interact with a digital recreation of a deceased person’s consciousness for a limited time.
George hides his real objective: using his work to preserve and ultimately reunite with his deceased wife, Jules (Stacy Martin), whose consciousness he has stored in an Archive device following her death. As the project reaches its final stages, increased corporate attention coincides with growing issues among his previous creations.
‘Archive’ is beautiful, gripping, and haunting all at once
Any sci‑fi film has the advantage of greater possibilities for being visually striking, and “Archive” proves that this genre can be a true visual feast when done right. Even in the opening moments, the vast snow-covered woodlands and the dark, pristine hallways of the research facility were enough to give me confidence in the movie’s quality. As a huge “Alien” fan, I’m a sucker for this type of architecture and visual style.
“Archive” doesn’t explain too much about what’s going on at first, which is good for keeping you intrigued and wanting more, drip-feeding the plot as the movie goes on. But immediately, there’s an emotional tone that makes the story’s progression even more harrowing (and even horror-tinged) in the way it focuses on grief and processing trauma. George is very much someone who puts everything into his scientific research and creations in order to connect with the person he loves most.
Even though this genre typically moves fast, given its high stakes, “Archive” feels like a slow burn compared to most, as it’s more about character work and delving into George’s mind rather than being an action piece with grand sequences. Of course, that might not be to everyone’s taste, but I feel this movie hugely succeeds for being different tonally. It’s emotional, haunting, and surprisingly intense when it focuses on the consequences of George’s obsession with AI. While visually a sci‑fi feast, “Archive” has a nerve‑wracking tension that leans heavily into horror, which probably explains why I loved it so much.
With a solid 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, the site’s critics consensus reads: “Archive executes its fairly basic program efficiently, offering sci-fi fans an engaging meditation on love and human nature.” This is a take I very much agree with, and I’m hoping its arrival on Netflix will give it the attention it deserves. Steven Price’s score elevates “Archive,” which delivers all the classic sci‑fi atmosphere and setups, and that shocking plot twist makes coming back for a second viewing completely worth it. Just know that I’m still picking my jaw up off the floor.
Stream "Archive" on Netflix now
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