Who Is Kaelego from 'Archive 81' on Netflix?

Who Is Kaelego from ‘Archive 81’ on Netflix?

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If you’ve just watched Netflix’s Archive 81 , you likely have a lot of questions about the show’s main antagonist, Kaelego. Yes, the strange demon dwells in the Otherworld, and is worshipped, in statue form, by the Vos Society at The Visser.

Here’s everything you need to know about Archive 81’s creepiest character, who is truly the stuff of nightmares. Thanks, Netflix.

Who (or what) is Kaelego?

For anyone wondering whether Kaelego is based on anything real, Archive 81’s showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine explained to The Wrap , “It is not [based on] anything except for my head.” To be honest, it’s probably a relief to most viewers that Kaelego is purely fictional , because the idea of this being roaming around our world is simply too much.

Sonnenshine also told The Wrap, “This is kind of a Lovecraftian element to this show, which is an elder god or demon depending on how you look at it. So it feels real but it’s an invention and obviously draws upon many tropes and other ideas, but the monster or god or demon himself is our creation.”

COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Elite Daily described Kaelego as “a trickster god, one who is able to bend the laws of time and space.” The site also noted that the being was trapped inside the sculpture by the Baldung witches, who decided it was worth sacrificing their magic in order to keep Kaelego at bay.

The Vos Society obviously has other ideas, and is intent on releasing Kaelego and opening a portal to the Otherworld. Plus, supernatural mold appears to be seeping out of the sculpture and into the Visser Building, the mold being another manifestation of Kaelego’s power and evidence of the Otherworld.

Discussing how Kaelego came to be, Sonnenshine told TV Insider , “We had to create the monster of Kaelego very early because we needed to make a statue of him. It was the first thing we did actually.” It also might surprise viewers to find out that an iconic horror movie influenced the way that Kaelego looks onscreen. “I wanted to make a monster that was scary but sexy. One of the inspirations was this pose that Hannibal Lecter had,” the showrunner told TV Insider. “He would look up at Jodie Foster’s character Clarice, tilted head down, and be still. We also wanted to have a deity or regal quality to it, which is where the crown on his head comes from.”

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Is Kaelego good or bad?

While Kaelego is often centered as the antagonist of Archive 81, some viewers aren’t so certain he’s as evil as he’s made out to be. After all, as Sonnenshine revealed, Kaelego can be viewed as either “an elder god or demon,” depending on how you look at it.

For instance, Redditor Nooni_Nooni theorized that Kaelego “is actually not that bad of a guy.” As for why, the poster explained, “So far Kaelego hasn’t actually done anything ‘wrong.’ We’ve seen it trying to come out of a television and trying to trick Dan into staying in its world But these things aren’t really inherently bad [seeing] as though it never hurt Dan and we don’t know why it was coming out of the screens.” As Kaelego doesn’t seem to injure or harm anyone, per se, perhaps he’s a victim of circumstance, just like everyone else, or is even just lonley.

It’s certainly worth considering that perhaps Kaelego isn’t the big bad of Archive 81. While his appearance is most certainly chilling, and he has a habit of trying to exit screens à la Samara in The Ring, there’s no hard evidence to suggest he’s inherently evil. If anything, it’s the Vos Society, which tries to summon Kaelego and make a bridge between worlds, that should be viewed as the “bad guy.” After all, both Iris and Samuel, in 1924 and 1994 respectively, sacrificed human beings in an attempt to summon Kaelego. Iris and Samuel opened the portal to the Otherworld by murdering innocent people, and carrying out a blood ritual involving a statue of Kaelego. Their actions suggest that members of the Vos Society will stop at nothing to access the other realm.

Is this a sequel to The Ring, or no? Netflix

It’s also worth thinking about how the Baldung witches are involved. We find out in the finale that Melody’s mother is a Baldung witch, so Melody herself is of Baldung blood. But if the Baldung witches went to the effort of trapping Kaelego in a statue, thereby forsaking their own magic for centuries, he’s probably not a being you want skulking around our world.

If Kaelego isn’t real, then what about the Baldung witches?

Much of the tension in Archive 81 revolves around Kaelego and the various organizations (or cults) who either want to release him or keep him locked in the other dimension. While the Vos Society attempts to release Kaelego and open a portal to the Otherworld, the Baldung witches work to contain the demon/god.

Most of what we learn about the Baldung witches in Archive 81 is delivered via exposition, until we meet Melody’s mother, that is. She reveals that she gave Melody up as a baby in the hopes that her daughter could live a normal life. But when Melody went searching for her mom in the Visser Building, any hope of an ordinary existence went out the window, which was obviously all part of Samuel’s plan.

Melody’s mom is a bad bitch Netflix

It’s in Father Russo’s office that Melody discovers an ancient text about the Baldung coven. And while Baldung witches don’t actually exist, they appear to be based on the work of German Renaissance artist Hans Baldung . Dating back to 1510, Baldung’s woodcut “The Witches” is an iconic reference point, and it’s easy to see why the creators of Archive 81 may have been inspired to incorporate the artist’s name and aesthetic.

So while the Baldung witches mentioned in Archive 81 aren’t a real-life coven (that we’re aware of, anyway), their inspiration is firmly based in history.

What exactly does Kaelego do in the Archive 81 season 1 finale?

The explosive finale of Archive 81 sees Dan cross over into the Otherworld in an attempt to find Melody, who has seemingly been trapped there since 1994. Dan is able to open a portal with the help of Melody’s mother, a real Baldung witch who holds a key.

Once there, Dan struggles to overcome Kaelego’s persuasive powers. First, the demon tries to convince Dan that his family is still alive in this other plain, and that Dan could have a happy life here. Dan manages to break free from this emotional hold and rushes to find Melody. They try to escape together, and manage to get past Kaelego, but Samuel grabs Melody and drags her away. She appears in the present day, while Dan wakes up in a hospital bed in the year 1994.

Netflix

As for Kaelego, it’s assumed that he is still in the Otherworld. Discussing the possibilities of a second season, Sonnenshine told Variety, “There’s a very powerful god or demon who inhabits that world. And we did drop the information that they can bend reality, basically. And that is what is happening.”

Basically, Netflix needs to renew Archive 81 immediately so we can find out what the hell Kaelego is up to, and why he is the way that he is.

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Amy Mackelden Amy Mackelden is a freelance writer, editor, and disability activist.

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Archive 81 star Mamoudou Athie on his character’s fate in finale

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The actor answers EW’s burning questions about whether Dan has romantic feelings for Melody, if he’s a bad friend to Mark, and what he thought of that wild ending.

Warning: This article contains spoilers about the season 1 finale of Archive 81.

Here’s to hoping Archive 81’s Dan Turner enjoys a good grunge aesthetic.

In a season-ending shocker at the end of his investigation into what really happened to Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi), Dan (played by Mamoudou Athie) attempts to save Melody from the “otherworld” in which she’s been trapped. He succeeds in that, but ends up in a hospital in the ’90s thanks to a portal-opening, time-jumping ritual performed by a witch — who also happens to be Melody’s birth mother. (More on all of that here.)

It’s all a lot to unpack, and sets up an interesting scenario for season 2, should Netflix renew it for another season. After binging all either episodes of the first season (now streaming), EW caught up with Athie to get his thoughts on his character’s untimely fate, the connection between Melody and Dan, and what his hopes are for potential future episodes.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: First of all, did you know all along that Dan would end up stuck in the ’90s?

MAMOUDOU ATHIE: Before the season started, I had a full idea of what the season was going to look like. That’s always helpful, so you can kind of build it. Obviously, there are adjustments that need to happen. But for the actors that get the scripts as it goes along, you know, that’s like an actor’s nightmare. So I was very fortunate to be able to get the entire season.

What can you tell us about where Dan ends up?

I’m trying to be careful, because what am I allowed to say? But also, there’s so much that I don’t know. He’s definitely in 1994 in New York. Other than that, I think that’s actually all I know.

A big part of the show is the connection between Dan and Melody. Dan’s best friend Mark (Matt McGorry) frequently jokes that she’s Dan’s girlfriend. Is there a romantic relationship there at all?

Well, that’s completely outside of my control [story-wise]. [Laughs] I can only say what I was doing. And I was approaching it with a kind of, I wouldn’t say platonic, but the kind of love of like seeing a kindred spirit. It feels a little deeper to me than romance. It’s more like a spiritual connection where you just see somebody and it’s like, “I know you, and I want to help you.” And she wants to help him. I just think they recognize each other and their loss and their pain, and there’s just a connection there that draws them to each other. But as far as romance goes, whatever happens in the future happens, but that wasn’t so much on my mind.

And speaking of Mark, he and Dan really go through it this season. Do you see Dan as a bad friend?

I’m so glad you asked me that. Let’s just talk about the circumstances Dan is in. You have to understand the deep well of trauma this guy is living through and has lived with. And friendship’s a huge deal to me, and loyalty and respect and all of that. So I just want to say no, absolutely not. [Laughs] He sees his father in recorded footage connected to this woman’s disappearance, and then he goes on a quest to find out what happened and how his family is connected to this, because clearly, there’s a connection. That is what keeps him in the compound. And the only person he can draw upon for help, while he’s willingly and effectively trapped without good cell service outside of this one spot near this tree, is his friend Mark, who sometimes is not being as helpful as you’d hope in such a drastic and dire situation. “I don’t need the jokes, man. Get me the thing.” [Dan’s] not asking for anything too crazy. And of course that’s Mark’s way, and Dan I think ordinarily has a lot of tolerance and a lot of love for who Mark is. But there’s a time and a place. And right now, [Dan’s] got the biggest fish you could imagine frying, you know what I mean? So it’s the circumstance. I think he’s a great friend, actually.

We still don’t know if the show will get a season 2, but if it does, are you in and where do you want to see the story go? What does a ’90s storyline look like for Dan?

It’d be great to revisit it all. I wake up after having desperately tried to save this person that I deeply, inexplicably care for. I’m in a hospital, and it’s 1994. Which is in some ways a dream come true [for Dan], because I do think he is a man stuck in time with his obsession with the past and artifacts and archiving, and replacing the things that are lost. I think it’s so beautiful what he does for a living. But, as far as what to do and where to go, I have no idea because I just keep on thinking about like, what does one do in that scenario? There are so many different ways to go about it. Who’s gonna believe you? Who’s gonna help? How’s this gonna work? There’s just so much that’s potentially there.

When we spoke with showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine, she mentioned a few specific storylines that didn’t get fully revealed this season that she wants to explore more. Are there any specific plot points you want to see more of in a potential season 2?

I’m absolutely so curious about Dan’s family. There’s so much that I don’t know just in regards to his father and that whole connection, but other than that I was pretty hyper-focused on what I was doing moment by moment, so I didn’t really allow myself to speculate too much beyond what was in front of me.

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.: Sign up for Entertainment Weekly’s free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Netflix Ratings: ‘Archive 81’ and ‘Cheer’ Enter TV Top 10

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“The Witcher,” “Stay Close,” “Cobra Kai,” “Emily in Paris,” and “Manifest” all retained their dominion on Netflix’s English-language TV Top 10 list for the second full week of 2022, while the sixth season of makeover show “Queer Eye” fell through the cracks, leaving room for newcomers “Cheer” (Season 2) and “Archive 81” to join the ranks.

“Cheer” was No. 5 on the list with roughly 29.1 million hours viewed, and horror drama “Archive 81,” from showrunner and executive producer Rebecca Sonnenshine, landed in the seventh slot with 22.2 million hours viewed. The suspenseful series stars Dina Shihabi, Mamoudou Athie, Matt McGorry, Ariana Neal, Julia Chan, Evan Jonigkeit and Martin Donavan, and involves a deadly mystery involving a cult, arson and a disappeared director. “Stay Close,” the limited thriller series based on the Harlan Coben novel of the same name, climbed to the No. 1 spot with 53.72 million hours viewed.

On the non-English Top 10 list, the Colombian love story “Café con Aroma de Mujer” triumphed for the second consecutive week in a row with 98.85 million hours, making it the most-watched title of the week of Jan. 10-16. Other Spanish-language entrants include the sophomore season of “The Queen of Flow” for the ninth week in a row, the inaugural season of the “Rebelde” reboot for a second week, and the last installment of “Money Heist” for its 13th consecutive week. Korean-language hits “Single’s Inferno” and “Our Beloved Summer” were at No. 4 and 5 respectively, and “Squid Game” landed in last place for its 18th consecutive week on the Top 10 chart.

Over on the film side, “Brazen,” the romantic thriller based on the novel of the same name by Nora Roberts, took the gold on the streamer’s English-language Top 10 list with 45.34 million hours and was in the Top 10 in 93 countries. “Don’t Look Up” took No. 2 and “Red Notice” continued its streak on the chart for its 10th straight week, along with “Back to the Outback” for its sixth week. The Polish flick “How I Fell in Love With a Gangster” made it to the top of the non-English language film ranks with 11.51 million hours viewed — a whopping jump ahead of the Italian movie “Four to Dinner” in the No. 2 slot, with 4.75 million hours viewed.

‘Archive 81’ is a creepy slow-building psychological mystery

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5 good Netflix shows this weekend: Ozark season 4 part 1, Archive 81, and more

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The final weekend of January 2022 is upon us, and it’s time to binge some great Netflix shows. In the past two weeks, many series have released new seasons with more on the way. This weekend you can settle in and check out some of the great new episodes available on the streamer.

This week’s Netflix top 10 shows list has excellent choices like Too Hot To Handle season 3, Cheer season 2, Cobra Kai season 4, The Witcher season 2, and for the younger viewers Cocomelon and Blibbi’s Adventures.

If you thought January had a great list of new releases, just wait until you see what is coming in February. Sweet Magnolias season 2, Inventing Anna, Vikings: Valhalla, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and many more Netflix shows and movie will be coming next month.

Best Netflix shows January 22, 2022

Check out the best Netflix shows to watch this weekend.

Ozark

Ozark is one of the most highly anticipated series releases for 2022. The fourth and final season of the series will be released in two parts, each consisting of seven episodes.

The story of the Byrde family’s dive into the crime world of the Lake of the Ozarks has left viewers longing for the next episodes since 2020. The fourth season will pick up where the third left off, with the Byrde’s organization undergoing significant changes. One of their colleagues was killed in a surprising move, and one of their own has now flipped sides and is no longer working with the Byrdes.

In a final season, anything goes, so be sure to get those episodes viewed before any significant events can be spoiled.

Archive 81

The series Archive 81 is a thrilling tale that leaves you wanting more with each episode. Inspired by a found footage podcast of the same name, this series is horror in nature with supernatural elements.

Archivist Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie) embarks on restoration of videos from 1994 that lead him into an investigative search for what exactly happened in these videos. When he discovers ties to his life, things get even more interesting. Archive 81 is a must-see for supernatural horror fans.

Stay Close

As with any Harlan Coben series, Stay Close draws you into the lives of the characters and make you feel that this story is something that could actually happen.

The story revolves around Megan (Cush Jumbo), whose idyllic life is shattered when her past comes back to haunt her. The events intertwine with people from her past and her family as well. As events unfold, more mystery is revealed, and things aren’t always as they seem.

If you are a fan of Coben’s adapted series, check this one out, as it is one of the best yet.

The Puppet Master: Hunting the Ultimate Conman

Another true crime docuseries has been released on Netflix. The Puppet Master: Hunting the Ultimate Conman is a limited series that tells of the UK’s most manipulative con artists.

In the early ’90s, conman Robert Hendy-Freegard devised a scheme where he posed as a British spy to manipulate and steal from his victims. The three-part limited docuseries uses reenactments to tell the sad tale of this conman’s exploits that left the lives of the families he conned in ruins.

Derry Girls

The British sit-com Derry Girls is an offbeat coming-of-age story that will delight fans with ’90s nostalgia and endear them to the well-played characters. Currently, the series has two seasons on Netflix, with a third coming in 2022. This is a great time to binge the series and ready yourself for the third and final season.

Set in Derry, North Ireland, in the mid-90s, the story follows five teens who attend Our Lady Immaculate College. The school is a fictional girls’ Catholic secondary school based on the real-life Thornhill College that creator Lisa McGee attended. The story is fictional but does show real-life events of the time, including the 1994 IRA ceasefire and US President Bill Clinton’s visit to the region.

The series is filled with offbeat and often dark humor and is a raw look at teens growing up and the issues they face at school and with their families.

Which Netflix shows will you be watching this week? Share your picks in the comments!