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The Magnus Archives #3

The Magnus Archives: Season 3

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The Magnus Archives is a horror story written by Jonathan Sims, directed by Alexander J. Newall and distributed by Rusty Quill. Sims narrates the stories in-character as the main character, Jonathan Sims, the newly-appointed head archivist of the fictional Magnus Institute; an institution based in London centred on research into the paranormal.

With each chapter released as a podcast episode, The Magnus Archive is structured as a series of statements recorded or written and then recorded for internal research use within The Magnus Institute. At the beginning of each statement, the statement-taker (mainly Jon, the head archivist) provides a brief description of the statement and the name of the statement-maker. Those who give or record statements in the Magnus Institute tend to lapse into a trance-like state not unlike reliving the event.

The third season of the acclaimed and highly popular horror series.

322 pages, ebook

Published November 23, 2017

143 people are currently reading
621 people want to read

About the author

Jonathan Sims

26 books1,128 followers
Jonathan Sims is a writer, performer and games designer whose work primarily focuses on the macabre, the grotesque, and the gentle touch of creeping dread. He is the mind and the voice behind acclaimed horror podcast The Magnus Archives, as well as story-game design duo MacGuffin & Co., and some of your favourite nightmares. He lives in Walthamstow with the two best cats and an overwhelming backlog of books that he really should get round to.

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5 stars
2,718 (82%)
4 stars
495 (15%)
3 stars
70 (2%)
2 stars
10 (<1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 356 reviews
Profile Image for Lara.
169 reviews55 followers
June 15, 2020
love is fake and on this world i know only pain.
Profile Image for jay.
1,001 reviews5,784 followers
December 19, 2022
Elias ❤️
---
I can only repeat myself: Elias ❤️
---

3rd listen:

i know past me keeps going on about elias but tbh i'm a Tim stan first, and a human being second

the voice acting for Tim is just so perfect, he's so sarcastic and passive aggressive and it's just *chef's kiss*
i love him
do you think he's doing well on his extended kayaking trip? it's been a while

---

4th listen:

"And at last, the Archivist looks up. At last, he looks into the eye that sees all, and knows all, and clutches at the secret terrors of your heart. The Ceaseless Watcher of all that is, and all that was; the voracious, infinite hunger that tears at his soul, invoking him to discover, to observe, to experience all, and everything, and forever."

Elias is so hot when he's creepy
Profile Image for Phantomº.
497 reviews51 followers
October 27, 2020
"...I am well aware that you’d do just about anything for him...and I don’t need to read your mind for that one." -Elias

I really really like Elias. He's spilling the tea in every sarcastic/smug way possible and I love his overpowered ass, Ben's voice acting is just to the point at all times.

And let's get to the usual bit:
Jonathan Sims? Genius evil mastermind
Alexander J. Newall? The polar opposite of cinnamon roll Martin that totally deserves hugs and to pet many fluffy animals...he is evil ♥♥♥
Everyone in this awesome production? Too Talented For This World.

P.S. this Elias line: "Let’s have no more clumsy assassination attempts, alright?" he gives no fs and I'm here for it.
Except from Martin, No One Hurts Martin... NO ONE HURTS MARTIN, Do You Hear This Sims? I'm patient Jon, I truly am, but Please.
Profile Image for lupo ⋆.˚⟡ ࣪ ˖.
87 reviews20 followers
July 24, 2020
i swear at this point the only thing i'm sure of is that i want to beat elias to death.
Profile Image for rain.
724 reviews434 followers
June 15, 2020
I'm glad that this is the first podcast I've ever listened to. Now my standards are incredibly high because the production + the storyline of TMA is insanely good. I don't think anything else can ever compare 😭
Profile Image for chrysa.
374 reviews186 followers
August 5, 2023
i don't have anything to say except: martin <3
Profile Image for Hamed Manoochehri.
291 reviews35 followers
January 1, 2025
تا انتهای فصل سوم، بهترین اپیزودهای مجموعه مربوط به این فصل بودن. نمیدونم چطور در فقط با یک هفته فرصت تونسته همچین شاهکارهای خلق کنه واقعا!
اپیزود آخر یه حال و هوای Harrow the Ninth-طوری داشت که خیلی خوشم اومد. یه اپیزود هم به تورک آتوماتا اشاره داشت و قبلش هم به شخصیت با الهام از تارانتینو. هیچ لحظه‌ای از این مجموعه تکراری یا کلیشه‌ای نیست.
Profile Image for spalanai ⛤.
188 reviews30 followers
June 4, 2025
"And at last, the Archivist looks up. At last, he looks into the eye that sees all, and knows all, and clutches at the secret terrors of your heart. The Ceaseless Watcher of all that is, and all that was; the voracious, infinite hunger that tears at his soul, invoking him to discover, to observe, to experience all, and everything, and forever."

lemme breathe now. wtf.

well, hello hello hello, i am unwell! finished season 3 a few minutes ago and i am grieving. i saw it coming but i am genuinely grieving. my husband ohhhhh my beautiful beautiful husband i will miss your voice so much darling i miss you already sweetheart in my head you’re enjoying a vacation idc<33

anywhoooo ELIAS. ELIAS DOUCHEARD. he has me frothing at the mouth for being such a mean lil b*tch AND because he’s so smoking smart omg. bless your voice, ben meredith 🛐

jonny is so pathetic in this season i lovee it. a lot of whining and whimpering and getting kidnapped. as for martin, he’s a lil birdie<3

alsoooo WUH LUH WUH??? basira?¿??? andd gerard my pretty emo boy is trans rep!!! (im tryna cope y'all)

that’s it. those are the thoughts. may the ceaseless watcher forever cringe at my reviews and my fanart lmao. gonna start season 4 in vacations. need time and space and a really good lemonade at the moment.

as for the ratings of the episodes, 5 is a favourite, 4 is brilliant, and 3 is fairly great. it's not really in a strict sense but loosely based on how much i enjoyed it at the time :)

(5/5) MAG 81: A Guest For Mr. Spider
(5/5) MAG 82: The Eyewitnesses
(5/5) MAG 83: Drawing A Blank
(4/5) MAG 84: Possessive
(4/5) MAG 85: Upon the Stair
(5/5) MAG 86: Tucked In
(5/5) MAG 87: The Uncanny Valley
(5/5) MAG 88: Dig
(4/5) MAG 89: Twice as Bright
(4/5) MAG 90: Body Builder
(5/5) MAG 91: The Coming Storm
(5/5) MAG 92: Nothing Beside Remains
(3/5) MAG 93: Contaminant
(4/5) MAG 94: Dead Woman Walking
(5/5) MAG 95: Absent Without Leave
(5/5) MAG 96: Return to Sender
(5/5) MAG 97: We All Ignore the Pit
(5/5) MAG 98: Lights Out
(5/5) MAG 99: Dust to Dust
(5/5) MAG 100: I Guess You Had To Be There
(4/5) MAG 101: Another Twist
(4/5) MAG 102: Nesting Instinct
(5/5) MAG 103: Cruelty Free
(5/5) MAG 104: Sneak Preview
(4/5) MAG 105: Total War
(3/5) MAG 106: A Matter Of Perspective
(3/5) MAG 107: Third Degree
(4/5) MAG 108: Monologue
(3/5) MAG 109: Nightfall
(5/5) MAG 110: Creature Feature
(5/5) MAG 111: Family Business
(3/5) MAG 112: Thrill of the Chase
(4/5) MAG 113: Breathing Room
(3/5) MAG 114: Cracked Foundation
(5/5) MAG 115: Taking Stock
(5/5) MAG 116: The Show Must Go On
(5/5) MAG 117: Testament
(5/5) MAG 118: The Masquerade
(5/5) MAG 119: Stranger and Stranger
(5/5) MAG 120: Eye Contact

x
Profile Image for Sara.
1,755 reviews541 followers
July 4, 2024
It’s amazing how much you can ignore when you keep your head in a book.

چی بگم ازش؟
از اینکه اون وسط به دلایلی دیگه گوش ندادم و اینقدر گذشت که مجبور شدم تقریبا تمام فصل رو دوباره گوش کنم تا تو محیط قرار بگیرم؟
از اینکه اطلاعات بیشتری راجع به فضا و منشأ و دنیاشون متوجه شدیم و اسم گذاری کردن؟

وای چقدر کاراکتر‌ها خوب پرداخته شده بودند!
آخر هر فصل حجم صدایی زیاد میشه و برا من به شخصه این موضوعش اذیت کننده میشه ولی خب کاملا می‌ارزه.
چقدر حرف‌های خوبی اون وسط می‌گفت.
ٱلی مرسی بابت معرفی!

The hardest thing to imagine, to really get your head around, is, is the scale at which the universe operates. You can drill down so small that you reach particles and building blocks that your brain simply can’t connect to. The physical reality that you inhabit, the fact that the vast majority of your own body is empty vacuum space, filled only with the weak forces that are binding you disparate atoms to one another – that can only really be understood on an intellectual level. To really internalize that thought, to believe it, would be too much for most people.
-106

And the other end – the sheer size at which the universe operates – literally cannot be fully conceptualized by the human mind. We have to reduce it to factors, or long strings of comparative zeros. Most people can’t even properly appreciate the size of our own planet, seeing only in crudely-rendered diagrams or maps. But compared to us, the planet is immense. More than large enough for the swell of humanity to grow, and ultimately extinguish itself.
-106

In truth, we are so much closer to the tiny, mindless atoms that make up our bodies than we are to a universe so enormous that fully imagining it is simply impossible.
-106

I do not believe in God. I can’t believe that a being with such limitless power and knowledge would still notice humanity, would understand or care about its existence.
-106

But I keep thinking back to an old professor of mine, back when I briefly studied neuroscience. Talking about consciousness, about how we still don’t honestly know what it is, where it comes from, what aspect of the brain makes it possible. And I wonder if there might not be consciousnesses out there so far beyond our comprehension that we could not properly recognize them as such. Minds so strange and colossal that we would never know they were minds at all. Perhaps, out there in the endless vast, they would not notice or recognize us in return.
-106

این کوئت ها که ازش اوردم زیاد داستان رو لو نمی‌دن و حرف‌های کلی‌ای هستن. به ترتیب اپیزودها آوردم ولی قاعدتا اگه به اسپویل خیلی حساسید نخونید.

Maybe we’re all just broken inside, unable to really grasp the difference between fictional people, and people we just don’t know. They’re all just abstract ideas we’re happy to have suffer for our enjoyment.
-109


It’s odd, isn’t it? Sleep. That you can never remember or fully pin down the exact moment you lose consciousness. Just lying there, waiting to find yourself in a dream without the first clue or interest in how or when you got there. Or to find your eyes closed and force them open to sunlight and morning, only realising that sleep has happened in retrospect. I wonder if… death is the same way? No clear dividing line, just… gone, only to realise after it’s happened, except for the fact that there isn’t an after. Is that a comforting thought or a terrifying one? Depends on who you are, I suppose.
-113


if you don’t like something, you accept it and you adapt, or you fight and you change it. Whining doesn’t help.
-117

It’s amazing how much you can ignore when you keep your head in a book.
-117


+: None of this is real.
-: But it is! Just because you don’t understand doesn’t mean it’s a lie.
-119


در اصل فقط این پایینی یکم اسپویل دار می‌تونه باشه:
And at last, the Archivist looks up. At last, he looks into the eye that sees all, and knows all, and clutches at the secret terrors of your heart. The Ceaseless Watcher of all that is, and all that was; the voracious, infinite hunger the tears at his soul, invoking him to discover, to observe, to experience all, and everything, and forever.
It stares into him, and it stares out of him, and he is falling into the devouring eternity of its pupil. He wants to cry out in horror, but he cannot.
-120
Profile Image for atria .
284 reviews147 followers
March 11, 2025
i love how everyone is absolutely pathetic in this season except elias lol

-------------------------------

ok but are we ready to talk about the fact that season 3 had arguably the most well written episodes in the tma run?

like we had mag 85: upon the stair (fucking beautiful episode) & mag 86: tucked in (my favourite episode of all time if we exclude finales probably) back to back. we got backstories, we got recurring characters being evil, we got , we got explanations and oh, how can i forget canon asexual jon & martin having a crush on him confirmed!! also that finale was just- ugh.

also upon re-listen you get to establish so many parallels between characterizations of jon vs. other characters and it's just so mind-blowing that jonny sims really had it planned out from the start!!

tma literally changed my brain chemistry fr fr.

------------------------------

johnny sims actually doesn't know how to write a bad plot. like he's just physically incapable of doing so.
Profile Image for Katie.
239 reviews2 followers
August 28, 2025
Fourth Read August 2025: I actually didn’t hate Tim this go around as much as I usually do.

~~~

Third Read March 2023 (3/5): My favourite character in the entire series is without a doubt Gerry Keay. There’s just something about a goth/emo sad boy with a lot of depth behind all the black clothes (a la Kaz Brekker, Andrew Minyard, etc.).

My least favourite character this season was Tim. I found him so insufferable and was so happy when he died. Every time his voice popped up I rolled my eyes and knew I was in for the most insufferable and dramatic lines of dialogue.

~~~


Re-read August 2021 (4/5): This really picked up in the back half after a semi-lackluster first half. Also can I just say Gerry Keay is absolutely my favorite character in the show now.

Favorite Episodes: 81, 86 (scariest), 100, 101, 103, 106, 107, 108, 109, 111, 112, 114, 116, 118

~~~

First Read July 2020 (5/5): This was far and away better than season two. I love how all of the threads are just coming together.

Some random thoughts on this season: Jon is big stupid and I can’t believe he’s the one who has to save the world, Martin is literally the cutest bean in the world and must be protected at all costs, and I didn’t get the hype about Elias before, but this season I did and I can say with confidence that he is, in fact, sexy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for roman :).
198 reviews51 followers
September 19, 2021
Statement of Mia, regarding her listening of The Magnus Archives, details taken and recorded directly from subject on the 18th Sept. 2021.

Statement Begins.

i.. i listened to this in less than 24 hours. that says something, i guess. the first- this podcast is amazing. the second- i have too much free time.

Statement Ends.

Supplemental.

[please don’t kill off any more of my favourite characters. thanks, ceaseless watcher]
Profile Image for n.
390 reviews99 followers
March 26, 2023
5/5 easily the best season yet
Profile Image for Para (wanderer).
451 reviews236 followers
September 4, 2025
Holy shit. Holy fuck. Best season yet. Extremely good writing. Elaborate psychological torture aimed at me specifically, 10/10, season finale nearly did me in. I need everyone to join me. Proper review to come.
Profile Image for urwa.
351 reviews281 followers
March 5, 2024
Emotional devastation with clown vibes.

And at last, the Archivist looks up. At last, he looks into the eye that sees all, and knows all, and clutches at the secret terrors of your heart. The Ceaseless Watcher of all that is, and all that was; the voracious, infinite hunger the tears at his soul, invoking him to discover, to observe, to experience all, and everything, and forever.


This might be the best season of The Magnus Archives yet. the season finale was absolutely bonkers and such a wild ride. Kudos to the entire team at Rusty Quill for delivering such a great performance. The finale really made me wish TMA had a visual aspect to it because so much was happening. The circus music, Nikola Orsinov, Gertrude and Litener, amazing sound editing and voice acting. Beware because this review will contain spoilers for season 1 and 2. Spoilers for season 3 will be hidden in the spoiler tag.

I genuinely loved the character progression this season. While Season 2 was weaker in terms of character development but had a lot of plot progression, I loved Season 3 for how much the character grew! Jon coming into his Archivist powers was a delight to read. Elias was probably the MVP of the show. Ben Meredith came to the recording studio and ate that shit up. Elias, though being such a fucked up scary boss villain came across as so charming and sexy. I put the entire blame on Ben ofc. Martin really started to get some agency this season which was nice to see. He's still a lovable idiot (the season 4 teaser trailer had me sobbing) but I'm glad he's starting to become more proactive. Tim's entire arc from season 1 to season 3 was just so damn sad. I loved him in season 2 and he was fast becoming my fav character on the show, but his angsty teenager persona, started to get annoying by the end. Still .


the voice acting is something i feel like I have to remark on once again. Alex's portrayal of Martin's reading statements was just so fucking good. You can hear him shedding Martin's bubbly persona and adopting the Archivist tone to the point that at times I would forget that it isn't Jon reading statements. His flattened intonations really work to convey the beholdings hold on him and it was very creepy.
MAG 120, the finale narrated by Elias felt like a fever dream (hehe) but it was so spooky! The writing was brilliant and probably the best finale the show has done yet. IDK if Peter Lukas' arrival is an ill omen or not (considering this is a horror podcast I would say it is lol) but I love his jolly demeanour despite the distortion his presence causes on the tapes.

Onto Season 4!
Favourite Episodes this season:
MAG 81 A Guest For Mister Spider
MAG 85 Upon A Stair
MAG 86 Tucked In
MAG 91 The Coming Storm
MAg 92 Nothing Beside Remains
MAG 100 I Guess You Had To Be There
MAG 101 Another Twist
MAG 105 Total War
MAG 106 A Matter of Perspective
MAG 107 Third Degree
MAG 108 Monologue
MAG 111 Family Business
MAG 116 The Show Must Go On
MAg 118-120 (3 part season finale)


before listening
I am TRYING to savour this as much as possible and not finish every season in a week but I'm scared I'll forget all the details, and I want to know what happens next SO BADLY, and I also don't want to be spoiled but I also want to look at fan art and fan theory..... SIGH
Profile Image for Ilse.
148 reviews1 follower
May 25, 2025
"The audience is only safe when the story isn't about them."

Might become a vegetarian, never travel the London tube at night, and have a profound fear of mannequins now.
332 reviews
May 9, 2024
I have a problem and his name is Elias.

I hate how attracted to him I am, when he is obviously such a red flag.

Beyond my issue, I loved this season too. The statements were less horror, but the story and characters were so clear. I ached for everything Tim was going through, his anger real and heartbreaking. Sweet Martin is trying so hard, and it's so obvious and he is the goodest egg and deserves better.

I've read reviews that people think the FMCs are trying too hard to be "tough" or "sexy" and I feel like I'm not listening to the same things. Melanie is angry and hurt and lashing out. Basira is coping but also is loving reading and her excitement for knowledge is something I resonate with so deeply. Daisy is the "hardest", but she's very controlled and precise and no BS, and still different from the others. Georgie is my fucking favourite, she's the best of friends, she cares and is worried and sure she gets snappy but that doesn't make her hard or sexy, it makes her *concerned*, and people need to start learning emotional depth I think.

I appreciated that they had a person of Chinese ancestry to play the Chinese person in the chapters. People thought they were being racist but apparently people don't know how to do simple research.

Anyway. Elias. I know there are people that get me, and honestly, we all need help ❤️‍🔥
Profile Image for Luisa.
67 reviews19 followers
August 23, 2020
TIM STOKERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Profile Image for Kaya Reads.
370 reviews52 followers
January 8, 2023
Well, this was quite the circus.
Literally.

Supplemental: somebody get my sweet Martin outta there please?

Supplemental supplemental: omg I am now having massive doubts. What if Martin is NOT Martin?!!
Profile Image for aro.
210 reviews2 followers
January 4, 2023
“what… are you?”

you just KNOW a character is gonna be great, when there’s static as they speak.

i must admit, i enjoyed season two more than this one and i partly know why. you did not have to kill my favourite characters. they were interesting😐i wanted more of them. no im not bitter at all. i was so excited through the first half and then part of my excitement died along with them.
but maybe i just need to let it simmer for a minute. nonstop listening to this podcast for the past week has been an experience for sure.
i did really enjoy it tho, so let’s move on to that.

jon was so dramatic this season. how do you manage to get kidnapped multiple times in such a short time span? yk the best main characters are the ones slowly becoming more and more unhinged, but jon, you didn’t have to say you missed being kidnapped. or throw out helen😐she’s now replacing my favourite character so let her be around. she just wanted help.
love his descend into madness and something distinctly not human. you don’t have to be scared of it jonny.

personally if i had the opportunity to be an avatar of the spiral i would not hesitate. goodbye sanity.

elias was fun. unnecessarily mystical but his uncaring attitude was great.

is it in the job description that you have to be dramatic to work at the institute? melanie got shot by a ghost and suddenly she’s planning assassinations. girl. daisy was not the character i expected either.

peter appreciation! i love when they don’t quite know how to act human. “so your advise would be less murder?” so cheerful and weird! lovely guy.

stop introducing cool characters and then killing them. not very live laugh love.

UPON THE STAIR! lovely ep. lives in my mind rent free when i see a stair.

“The blanket never did anything” not funny.

cruelty free. when the murder pig decides to befriend you!

i have to say, i love the voice actor for tim. i feel it fits really great.

a matter of perspective. ah do i love a statement about the sort of same events from different perspectives.

thrill of the chase!! loved it.

taking stock. it’s about grind, it’s about flesh, we devour!

the circus music in stranger and stranger! it was a special ep to follow for sure, but my god the vibes that music created.

i think that the big mystery has been sort of revealed? well not really? but we now know the big picture which is fun. now i can’t wait to look at future eps and think how it connects and also look back on previous eps like hmm! who is this?
and ahh i have a lot of thoughts about the whole,,, thing. a very vague review indeed, not even to be spoiler-free, how do you have fleshed out thoughts?

i love the descriptions of the fears as colours. like them being able to blend together into every fear. and different shades. it scratches my brain. nice.

i hope to see more of simon fairchild next season, for the sole reason that he freaks me out a bit. don’t really know much about him, he’s a funky guy.
same goes for the lukas family.

“I love the spiral” me too jon <3

the little q&as and special eps throughout it, where they talk about horror as a genre. so true everyone!
Profile Image for eilost.
44 reviews1 follower
March 31, 2024
as always the ending was so amazing and I loved the amount of lore that we got from this season
Profile Image for Ren.
124 reviews2 followers
June 30, 2021
Elias Bouchard is sexy and nothing Hels and Ben say will change my mind.
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