The Magnus Archive: Stretching Your Mind to the Darkest Corners

The Magnus Archives is a weekly horror fiction anthology podcast, written and performed by Jonathan Sims, with the support of an incredibly talented team, including Alexander J. Newall (Executive Producer and Director) and Lowri Ann Davies (Producer).

This horror-mystery audio drama kicks off when Jonathan Sims joins the Magnus Institute – an organization dedicated to researching the esoteric and the weird – as the new head archivist. What begins as a simple yet often terrifying task of reading and analyzing eerie, quasi-supernatural accounts soon spirals into a deep dive into the Institute’s many mysterious secrets hidden at every corner.

In Episode #2 (spoilers ahead!), The Magnus Archives introduces us to a psychological thriller, delivering a nail-biting horror story diving into topics such as temptation, losing control, and the unknown. Narrated by Jonathan Sims, the story follows a man who agrees to watch over a mysterious package for a stranger, only to later receive a chained coffin with a locked padlock and a key. As he struggles against an overwhelming urge to open it, the man will have to fight against the unnatural almost mind-controlling pull the coffin has over him. The story plays with the idea of curiosity getting the best of us, as the main character slowly loses control over his own actions, even in his sleep.

Throughout the episode, we not only experience the eerie presence of the coffin – with its moans, scratches, and unsettling noises – but also listen to the man’s mental decline as he struggles to resist opening it. The tension increases when he starts sleepwalking, adding another layer of horror as he tries to fight against this unknown entity when he’s not in control. This perfectly plays into both the horror of losing agency and the curiosity about what might be inside the box.

The Magnus Archives is a unique experience that stretches your mind to the darkest corners of your imagination. Fear takes many forms, and Jonathan explores them all – from psychological horror to body horror, eldritch nightmares, phobias, and more. The show expertly weaves through a wide range of horror genres, ensuring that sooner or later, it will find your weak spot.

The beauty of this audio drama is that the complexity of the show can only be appreciated the more you listen. At first, you’re peering into the expansive world of The Magnus Archives through a keyhole, listening to seemingly siloed stories of people who have endured unspeakable horrors. But as Jonathan listens, the world expands. If you listen carefully,  the connecting dots begin to appear. The real question is – do you really want to know where they lead?

The voice acting is on point. The outstanding cast paired with the immersive sound design, does the perfect job of pulling you and keeping you inside each chilling tale, while the clever writing allows you to fully dissolve into every story, feeling the dread, despair, and horror just as the victims do.

This show is an easy entry point for those curious about audio dramas, but be warned – it will find your weakness and exploit it when you least expect it.

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Kevin Capon Goldszmidt is a passionate gamer, enjoying games on a variety of devices, from mobile to PC, Steam Deck, and even Mac. When he’s not working, you can find him listening to audio dramas. The two often overlap. You can find him at @KevinGoldszmidt.