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Sci-fi thriller

Archive (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Archive (2020) movie poster

Archive is a 2020 sci-fi thriller directed by Gavin Rothery, starring Stacy Martin as Jules Almore, J3, J2, Theo James and Toby Jones. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $243,279 worldwide. Critics gave it 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.

IMDb rating
7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
78%
worldwide gross
$243.3K
Echo Score
77
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Archive (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 49m (109 min)
Director
Gavin Rothery
Genres
Sci-Fi , Drama , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Archive About?

The premise of Archive without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In 2038, a man struggling with immense grief creates an advanced artificial intelligence in an attempt to recapture the love and connection he lost when his wife died. As he develops the AI, he hopes to find solace and emotional healing through the simulation of their shared life.

Archive Themes & Keywords

· 26 tags
  • archivist
  • job
  • restore
  • work
  • investigation
  • based on podcast
  • found footage
  • year 1994
  • filmmaker
  • lesbian
  • creepy
  • dual timeline
+14 more
  • mysterious
  • danger
  • cult
  • lesbian joke
  • unreliable narrator
  • suspense mystery
  • found footage horror
  • lovecraftian
  • occult
  • another dimension
  • new york city
  • apartment building
  • 1920s
  • 1990s
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Cast & crew

Archive Cast & Characters

Stacy Martin leads the cast as Jules Almore, J3, J2, with Theo James as George Almore and Toby Jones as Vincent Sinclair. Directed by Gavin Rothery; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Archive

· 8 more
Ratings

Archive Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Archive 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in sensory experience (88) and weakest in story & flow (62).

77 /100

Archive Echo Score Breakdown

Archive presents striking visual design and thoughtful visual storytelling but is hampered by uneven narrative coherence and emotional detachment. Critics generally admire the film's meticulous production design and impressive cinematography alongside restrained performances that flesh out its central relationship. However, the storyline is viewed as occasionally sluggish with overfamiliar twists and limited world-building depth. The auditory elements and visual effects earn consistent praise, even as pacing concerns temper rewatch enthusiasm. Ultimately, Archive emerges as a technically accomplished yet narratively uneven science fiction experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art direction and craft, Archive excels with its meticulously designed sets and measured cinematography. The production design features lush environments that underscore the film’s thematic isolation, while the editing supports deliberate visual storytelling in key silent sequences. Although the palette occasionally feels restrained, the overall creative execution remains a standout technical achievement within a modest budget.

  • Character & Emotion 73

    When it comes to character and emotion, Archive benefits from a committed lead performance that anchors the central relationship with subtle restraint. Secondary portrayals contribute occasional depth, yet some characters remain underexplored and emotional stakes feel muted by the film’s deliberate pacing. Despite moments of genuine feeling, the narrative occasionally loses connection to its emotional core, leading to uneven resonance overall.

  • Story & Flow 62

    The story and flow of Archive present an engaging premise with intermittent originality, yet the narrative can feel weighed down by familiar sci-fi tropes and protracted exposition. While several plot twists maintain curiosity, pacing issues emerge from extended sequences that contribute little to core developments. As a result, the film’s thematic intentions occasionally blur, leaving the storyline uneven in execution.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    In terms of sensory experience, Archive delivers consistently impressive visual and auditory elements. The soundtrack and sound design effectively heighten tension, while visual effects seamlessly integrate with the film’s thoughtful mise-en-scène. Occasional tonal restraint in color grading supports the film’s mood but may undercut vibrancy for some viewers. Overall, the sensory cohesion significantly enhances immersion.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    Regarding rewatch factor, Archive offers moments of visual intrigue and thematic nuance that may reward subsequent viewings. The atmospheric tension and measured visual storytelling encourage a second look, yet uneven pacing and familiar plot elements might limit lasting appeal for some audiences. Overall, the film retains moderate replay value once its narrative style is appreciated.

Plot

Archive Plot Summary

What happens in Archive from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Decades in the future, Jules Stacy Martin and George Almore Theo James are involved in a car accident in which Jules dies. Her consciousness is saved in a device created by the company Archive, a breakthrough that lets George converse with her through a phone interface for up to 200 hours. This fragile tether to the world she left behind becomes the seed of something much larger: George secretly begins developing a robot capable of hosting her consciousness permanently, a project that could make Jules’s presence endure beyond a single conversation.

Full summary

The whole story of Archive, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Archive Box Office

Archive grossed $243,279 worldwide. $139,593 came from the US and Canada and $103,686 (43%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$243.3K

US & Canada
$139.6K
International
$103.7K
US & Canada 57% Rest of the world 43%
Videos

Archive Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Archive.

Archive | Official Trailer (HD) | Vertical Entertainment
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Archive?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the protagonist working on the consciousness project?

Cars

Cars in Archive

4 cars on screen, including the 1981 De Lorean DMC 12 and the 1987 Jeep Wrangler.

  • 1981 De Lorean DMC 12 in Archive 1981 De Lorean DMC 12 Important role
  • 1987 Jeep Wrangler in Archive 1987 Jeep Wrangler Important role
  • 1983 Lotus Esprit Turbo Type 82 in Archive 1983 Lotus Esprit Turbo Type 82 Important role
  • unknown in Archive unknown Minor role
Details

Archive Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “O Protótipo” and “זיכרון מלאכותי”.

Also known as
  • O Protótipo
  • זיכרון מלאכותי
  • ארכייב
  • アーカイヴ:2020
  • 絕密檔案
  • Мой создатель
  • 绝密档案
  • Творець
  • Teremtőm, არქივი
  • Arşiv
  • 아카이브
  • El Archivo
+14 more
  • Archyvas
  • Protótipo
  • Lưu Trữ
  • Archiwum
  • อาร์ไคฟ์ หน่วยเก็บถาวร
  • Archive - Non mi lasciare
  • Моят творец
  • アーカイヴ
  • Arhiv
  • أرشيف
  • आर्काइव
  • Archív
  • Arhiva
  • Arhīvs

Seen Archive?

FAQ

Archive FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Archive, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Archive?

Archive runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).

When was Archive released?

Archive was released on July 10, 2020.

Who directed Archive?

Archive was directed by Gavin Rothery.

More films by Gavin Rothery

Who is in the cast of Archive?

Archive stars Stacy Martin as Jules Almore, J3, J2, Theo James as George Almore and Toby Jones as Vincent Sinclair, among 12 credited actors.

How much did Archive make at the box office?

Archive grossed $243,279 worldwide ($139,593 domestic, $103,686 international).

How is Archive rated?

Archive has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

Does Archive have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Archive has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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