Feels like some episodes are filler, having you sit through teenage angst until something substantial happens. Not sure why every characters gender preferences need to be explored. Doesn’t really add to the story. Great potential, but too much fluff and wasted space.

I really really liked this podcast. It was unique, diverse, and well done. Some reviewers complained about the acting, but it felt intentionally done. Reminded me of the old spookies on tv in the 80s-90s. Maybe a little Buffy and Scoobyish. I liked it. The female lead actually sounded just like Cordelia in Buffy/Angel and I could totally see her doing all that. Sadly, the story lost focus as it progressed. The characters sexualities seemed to take on a life of their own and overshadowed the actual plot line. It was a lot. Obsessive even. And I listen to, and love, lots of LGBTQIA+ stories. It seemed like the author was struggling with personal challenges in their real life and it took over the storyline. I continued to listen to even the updates. Like I said, I liked the story and each and all of the characters. The last few updates have been so cringe. If you’re new, just start at the beginning and keep an open mind. I hope life/health gets better for the creator. Maybe time to take a step back, a deep breath and focus on living, not fitting.

Strap Yourself in and get ready for an outstanding horror podcast

The story has lots of potential, but doesn't seem to have any direction. Sometimes the characters seem found in. And I'm not sure I understand why it was important for the lead actor to use an entire episode to come out as transgender. people listen to fiction because it's fiction not because they want to hear about identities. Suspension of belief is difficult when we know too much about what's going on behind the scenes.

Brilliant claustrophobic horror podcast; stellar writing; disturbing BGM. The actress playing Anna is actually quite good, despite the negative comments - she does monologue acting, with nothing to work with, not even a mouse or a small stream flowing beside her in the mines... considering how difficult monologue acting is, I thought she did a terrific job - but to those who disagree I can only say that YES - It would be great if Homestead could’ve hired Meryl Streep to play Anna, but she demands way more money than they could have raised... (and it’s odd that there weren’t the same to be said for the GUY’s monologue 😑)

Alternate title: LGBTQ Scooby-Doo. This show has so many fantastic elements. It has an overarching mystery peppered with interconnected creepy pastas. It’s Stranger Things meets The Twilight Zone. Very fun when it’s fun. Unfortunately a large portion of the time, it’s just characters whining to themselves about their post-teen angst. Those episodes are about as engaging as an emo kid’s diary. But it does sort of have a “dust yourself off and do hard things” message despite that.

I love this story. The characters are so amazing.

This show seems so good and I tried to stick with it but I listen with headphones and the background noise & music include constant high pitched tones and beeping. It gave me a headache after a few episodes - if you’re sensitive to those types of noises be sure not to use headphones when listening to this show

I can’t with Anna voice actor her voice is so flat and uninteresting she it very much reading a script. It like I’m in class and someone’s reading I front or everyone and trying their best

I liked the music; Trevor did a great Sam; the actor playing Anna was not good. The biggest problem was that she sounded like she was reading a script. Someone verbally recording their own experience should never sound like they’re reading a script. After four episodes i just had to quit. Her voice also stated to really get on my nerves.

The missing author’s voice is so fake and unbelievable. It sounds like she’s just reading a script, not like she’s actually a Stephen king level famous author. Nevermind the mispronounced words from a supposedly best-selling author, she seems uninterested in what she’s even saying and she sighs her way through each script with a grating vocal fry. She doesn’t sound like someone thinking and recording stream-of-consciousness journal entries. Her parts are not that great to listen to. Honestly, I end up tuning her out and then having to re-listen multiple times just to be able to follow the plot. I hope that it doesn’t drag the rest of the storytelling down, but getting through her parts are definitely a chore. Also, did you know she smokes weed? Because they’re definitely going to tell you that she smokes weed and loves getting high every 5 minutes. Even when it’s not relevant to the plot. The main detective is a bit flat as well, but is consistent enough that he sounds pretty true to the character he’s portraying and not like someone who is just bored and reading a script. Being bored/annoyed/exasperated is part of his character.

I am somewhere in the 40 something episodes and the podcast has turned into a dull meandering of single characters droning into whatever recording device they have. I am no longer interested in the missing Anna, is she missing still I don’t really even know or care anymore. The sense that the array of people experiencing things and not advancing the story has the feeling of no resolution in sight. I am about to check out entirely. Three stars for the strong start and decent production and good voicing and sound design.

Thank you to the creators 100 eps, bittersweet to end the story but great storytelling. Loved it so much.

I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Thank you to the creators!

I have followed this program since inception even a patron supporter. Sadly, as the seasons proceed the series becomes more droll. Truly well past time to wrap this up. What was an interesting and unique story has turned into a hot mess containing all of the usual predictable material. It is best to end on a high note rather than running a concept into the ground. Update: wow after dragging this story out with many many slow episodes, the ending (episode 99, skip 100 as the series ends on a new low) feels rushed. There are so many unanswered questions, there were simply too many tangents along the way to cleanly resolve within the two pinnacle hours. Again, sadly went from really unique to something Telemundo would never 👎🏿 touch

lol do all of you have to drive an agenda? Everytime? Doesn’t it get exhausting?

It really was an interesting plot in the earlier part. I think there was too much filler episodes/content that seemed to make it drag on the story longer than needed. I took a break from the show during the last season and really didn’t want to finish it. Also, where are these voice actors from? Every single one of them don’t pronounce Nevada (neh-VAD-uh) like someone who actually is from Nevada. Really threw me off that I kept hearing (neh-VAH-duh) instead.

I enjoyed the story as it unfolded. The problem I have is that there is literally nowhere in the world sans a gay bar or pride parade where this many homosexual characters coexist. It's to the point of unrealistic and obviously someone is trying very hard to make a point. There are three or four main characters that are NOT identified as homosexual in this entire series. I don't care if people are gay, but it seems that the writer has a fixation on sexual identity and isn't creative enough to focus on much else. Life isn't about sexual identity but this series makes it a point to mention it at every turn, ruining an otherwise pretty good story.

I really wanted to like this. The idea sounded enticing. The music was engaging, and the start had me hooked but I found little else to keep me going. By episode four I had to call it quits. The narrator sounds like he’s trying to emulate some old Noir style detective which kinda comes off sounding forced. Meanwhile the character mixed with the voice acting for Anna makes her come off as the biggest airhead. She comes off as more of a character that belongs on a sitcom. Like I picture her having a coffee mug stating “No paranormal phenomenon till I’ve had my coffee”. I just feel like she undercuts any sort of tension a situation has with her oblivious nature. Which makes me lose any sort of tension. Again the story was getting kind of interesting. But I can’t feel any anxiety or worry about Anna when she certainly doesn’t.

I love “found footage “ podcasts and horror/suspense style of mystery. I found this is a great podcast to listen to since my others from Pacific Northwest are not coming out soon. I really like the opennes of the podcast which includes getting high and lgbtqia characters. I feel seen! Heard! And love you for this.

I can’t get through more then one season. Usually these type of podcasts are too short and you want more, but I have to be honest this gets dragged out and the voice acting can be painful. Pros: great season one. Love the sound effects and storyline. Cons: I agree with other reviewers that Sam’s sighing, stammering for words, and always annoyed like attitude is quite odd. And Anna’s acting can be compared to a mom reading a bedtime story. I can’t go past three stars if I give an overall review. The first season is worth a listen though.

I can’t believe that I have caught up with this and now have to wait for episodes. I listen while at work and have binged all of season 1-3 and the bonus episodes.

A friend recommended this to me about a month ago and I’m so deeply grateful they did. Not only has it helped me get through my work day, but it’s inspired me to continue working on my own personal writing and acting projects. Watching the performers find their voices throughout the show is an incredible experience. Anna Sheridan’s actress hadn’t ever done voice acting for a podcast before, and it’s been amazing to see the sheer amount of improvement that both she and the rest of the cast has made overtime. I’ve just finished season 2 and I’m deeply enjoying every second of it. Pacing, prose, story threads, performances, soundtrack… everything is tying together very beautifully. I am very much looking forward to buying that OST. Jesse, you make literal magic with your music. For those saying it’s “pushing an lgbt agenda” please know that people like us exist— not only is this written, produced, and performed by an array of an lgbtq+ cast, it’s important to remember that podcasts are often one of the safest communities for people like us to share our stories. If you can’t handle the fact that we exist, then that is your own issue to deal with. But keep your homophobia and transphobia out of your reviews and offer some real, honest constructive feedback or be quiet! People are putting their hearts and souls into this, everything they have, and that’s not an agenda. It’s just art, made by people, for other people like them. As a former Mormon, and an out bisexual, both Anna’s and Bill’s backgrounds speak to me so personally and deeply. I would imagine the rest of these characters do in their own ways to people who rarely get to have their voices heard in fiction or otherwise. Side note: also noticed some of the reviews saying it’s a TMA ripoff? As someone who has listened to both thus far, I see similarities, but if you actually take the time to LISTEN, you will find it is very much not that at all. Original and beautiful and unique in its own way. To Van Winkle, Virginia, and everyone else who has put so much hard work and love into this podcast, i thank you for all you’ve done. This is an amazing story and I both don’t ever want it to end and also look so deeply forward to seeing all this amazing stuff come to its conclusion.

Great story, compelling characters. I’ve binge-listened the whole series (so far) at least three times and I keep finding new details and connections. I LOVE it.

I gave this several episodes a few months ago. I gave up on it. Tried coming back to it today and give it another try. It’s a no from me. The acting is not great. Either flat or over the top. Sighs, stutters, etc. I’m also sick of having the alphabet mafia agenda thrown in my face. Almost every single character must be gay or bi or anything other straight. It’s infuriating!

Binged first two seasons in a week! Love the creativity and many layers and dimensions of creepiness. If “smart horror” isn’t already a genre, it should be.

Just finished season 1. Good lord, how are there 4 seasons of this? The voice acting is out of control. So much deep sighing and stutter-whimpering. Painful….although it would be hilarious if real cops actually sounded like these wieners. Don’t waste your time on this podcast, and definitely don’t waste your money on the Patreon. Let the creator’s relatives do that.

I enjoy the podcast but it’s almost to much to hear the forced swallowing for ‘dramatic effects’ it sounds gross over AirPods. I can handle the not perfect acting…but that swallowing has to stop. That’s something that if it’s not natural, it doesn’t work!

But goes on and on and on with little resolution. When they do resolve one plot line, they add another subplot. Convoluted. Some of the acting is over the top.

I listened to 2 episodes. Might be great fun for teenagers but it’s not written for adult listeners. Reminded me of Scooby Doo.

I really enjoy this series on my long commutes for work. It’s thrilling, suspenseful and has you looking forward to it. But… they push the LGBT agenda so hard in your face it’s cringe. 9/10 of the characters are gay or bi or something related. And it really just feels lazy too as to how they bring it about. Like they just want you to know and shove it in your face. Also I I uh uh oh I uh uh uh I I I I I really hate sams stutter, Way over done. I can only imagine his lines like like the above. I tend to fast forward by 15 secs when he stutters as that’s about how long it takes for him to get his words out. I would’ve rated 5 stars if they didn’t push the gay agenda so hard and if they dialed sams stutter/hesitation by ten fold. Other than that I love the story and suspense.

Seems like a great premise; pity that the narrator’s vocal fry and mouth breathing IMMEDIATELY put me off.

I was really disappointed with this podcast because it just seemed very forced, and it seemed like it was a “Magnus Archive” knockoff. I couldn’t make it past episode 1.

Acting can….use some work, characters just aren’t that interesting. Story had massive potential(that’s why the 2 stars and not 1), but, just fell apart by the end of season 2. Have no plans for listening to season 3.

Came across this as a recommendation from another podcast I listened too and just got done binge listening to all 3 seasons. Love the stories, the cast and the adventure so far. Keep up the great work.

I really liked season one. It started off slow but it picked up and it was great. They had great characters and the story hooked me. Season Two wasnt great at all though. More than half the time it wasn't keeping my attention. I kept wondering throughout the show why I was still listening it was sooo boring. I kept zoning out from the boring solo monotone monologue of I still don't know what.

Overall, it was an excellent performance from a majority of the cast. The accents in season one were some of the worst/ offensive I’ve heard in order to show you who dewitt was or has been. Ned’s cop voice also makes me unhappy to listen to. Again overall great show, lots of frightening moments, but the cast choice seemed poor at times. 4/5.

The plot and story are good overall, but I cannot get through the disposition and all the SIGHING the detective does in his narration… I can’t listen to it.

Horror that makes you question the nature of reality. Maybe less horror and more generally unsettling. I highly recommend!

Narrator doesn’t really explain anything well and plot wanders.

I’m on the 2nd episode. I love the parts with Anna!!!! The detective is cocky or arrogant….. can’t think of the right words to describe him. If you can get past that it’s worth a listen.

Overall I enjoy the story and performances. The content is delivered through listening to a series of theoretical cassette tape recordings. They do a great job making it seem like the recordings are on old technology. My only complaint is that is such a great job that often the audio is poor enough quality that I have a hard time hearing everything. Maybe it’s just me. Anyway, if you like fictional suspense/horror (this is from someone who hates horror films), this is worth a listen.

From S01 ep02 - If you can’t even be bothered to take the time to do the barest bit of research (like, any at all), I just don’t believe that the rest of the podcast could possibly be worth anyone’s time.

I’m not by any means knocking the the time and effort that was put into this, but OMG it’s a hard listen. Like very hard. It’s so dry and Anna’s recordings are bland. They are a few that were genuinely creepy like I looked over my shoulder once or twice but they are few and far between. I’m really trying to stay interested, there were a few times I had to skip ahead because her recordings were just pointless to the main plot seems like. Overall this could’ve been done better. Idk if I’ll make it to season 2….

A bit rough off the start with great potential. Got better on into the first season. (Spoiler) I most stopped listening when I thought Sam was dead. Thankfully he wasn’t and glad I continued listening. Nearing the end of season 2, looking forward to see where this crew ends up with the search for Anna.

I'm an avid Realm listener. I listen or have listened to most of their podcasts. I think Realm is a great channel and normally love their stories. This script was poorly written and the actors don't seem experienced enough to work properly through it. There's an acting tic people do where they exhale a lot. These actors are doing that. I don't understand why because they probably have the lines right in front of them. I'm sorry but the main actors are so bad it's like sitting in a college acting 101 class. (Which I've been an instructor for multiple times). Like I've done screen recordings and sent them to some close acting friends so they could hear how bad it is. Im 26 episodes in and I don't think the plot is enticing or intriguing enough for me to keep putting up with the voice actors.

The actors read directly from a (terrible) script with zero emotion and at a dull, boring pace. There is no sound dimension and the readings are too long. If you want someone to read a boring story out loud to you, this is your audiobook.

Between the godawful voice acting in this show and the embarrassing forced & performative activism in Unwell, Realm would be completely off of my list if not for the amazing podcast that is Dark Heights. Seriously, I cannot believe the company that made those two abominations of shows made that one. Do yourself a favor, do not listen to The Sheridan Tapes or Unwell and go straight to Dark Heights.

Absolutely terrible. Easy pass.

The emotions are so canned and over played. And agree with other reviewer; reading scripts and way too much sighing.