The scary story of Netflix's Archive 81 demands a lot of courage. Whether living at the Visser apartment building in the '90s or, in the case of Dan, watching videotapes and learning about the story years later, the threat of being pulled into a demonic cult is always present. The characters are all pulled into a supernatural world where nothing is as it seems and there is always more to discover.
When comparing the main characters on Archive 81, from Dan to Melody to Jess and Dan's father Steven, it's clear that some have more bravery and courage than others.
John Smith
As far as brave Archive 81 characters go, John doesn't seem like he's very courageous at all.
John takes charge of the Visser and tells Melody where she can and can't go, and when she finds out that he's a cult member, it seems like he is willing to do what people tell him to do without thinking much about it. While John is unnerving thanks to his strength, he doesn't seem like someone who is willing to take chances and risks or go on an adventure.
Samuel Spare
Samuel is a scary Archive 81 character and yet he's not very brave at all. Once Melody discovers his plan, viewers can see worry painted all over his face, and it's clear that he didn't expect her to find anything out.
While Samuel is leading the cult, he's following the Vos society and what he knows of Iris, and blindly following something that doesn't even seem logical isn't brave at all.
Jess Lewis
Jess is a compelling character as she's brave in some ways and terrified in others, which makes sense given her young age and the seizures that she keeps having.
While Jess trusts Melody and they become friends, Jess likes the idea that she can "hold another world inside of her" as the cult members tell her, and she wants to be a courageous person who can see into another universe.
Iris Vos
Archive 81 viewers learn more about Iris in episode 7 "The Ferryman," as in several flashbacks, Iris's story is shared. She's been taken in by the idea of summoning the demon Kaelego and she will stop at nothing to do so.
While Iris seems brave in some ways, hiring Rose to work for her and then sacrificing her as part of the ritual, Iris is also terrified of not having power, love, and influence, which makes her a weaker person than she wants people to believe.
Mark Higgins
Mark's podcast is a great podcast for horror movie fans as he talks about all things supernatural and odd, and this allows him to believe Dan, despite how strange Dan's story is.
Mark does many things to help Dan out that show he's very brave, from meeting someone who he realizes isn't actually Melody to visiting Dan at the country property. While Mark doesn't want to go The Otherworld and is more nervous and terrified than Dan seems, Mark does support his friend no matter what and that takes guts.
Annabelle Cho
Annabelle shows a lot more courage and a sense of adventure than the others living at the Visser apartment building.
Annabelle realizes that she can paint people who are clues to the Vos society and the cult at the Visser, and when people say that she's gone down the wrong path, Annabelle stays strong. The fact that Annabelle knows that she is right shows how brave and confident she is.
Dan Turner
Dan is one of the most intelligent Archive 81 characters and also one of the bravest.
While many people would leave the property at the first sign of the supernatural, Dan sticks it out for a long time, discovering the secret basement, a fridge full of vials of blood, and that Virgil isn't telling him the entire truth. Dan wants to learn more about his father, Melody, the fire, and the cult, and he continues searching for answers despite how scared he is.
Steven Turner
Dan's father Steven may not be quite as brave as Melody or Dan, but he has learned about the Visser building's evils and he's truly terrified by what is going on.
It seems like Steven would have more courage if he was in a better situation, but in the 8 episodes of season 1 of Archive 81, he's having trouble coming to terms with the situation.
Julia Bennett
Melody's mother Julia has been living with the knowledge that her daughter is in The Otherworld for years now, and she has much more courage than several of the other characters. She has been trying to work out how she can pull Melody back into this world, and she knows that it will be almost impossible but that she has to try.
While pretending to be someone who looks after the property where Dan is staying, Julia lies about who she really is and doesn't hesitate to do what she needs to do.
Virgil Davenport
Virgil can be seen as a surprising horror villain, and he's also one of the bravest people who Dan interacts with while learning about the mystery of the Visser.
Virgil knows that he's taking a risk by asking Dan to restore these videotapes as Dan could get scared and leave anytime. But Virgil gives Dan this assignment so he will play the tapes and thin the barrier between the two worlds, and Virgil is courageous and determined to keep going with his goal.
Melody Pengras
Of all the main characters on this scary show, Melody has the most to lose and she continues on her path even though she knows that she could die.
Melody is determined to save Jess, find her mother, and figure out what her tie to Dan is, and as she gets deeper into the mystery, she realizes it becomes even more dangerous. But because Melody never gives up and spends time in The Otherworld waiting for her mother, she remains the most courageous character.