Which path will you choose: Sinister or Surreal? These decisions will decide your fate at 2024’s Halloween Horror Nights (HHN). This year’s theme of physical vs. physiological torture will weed out the weak, testing the limits of their fear factor As visitors, here are our thoughts on the Haunted houses.
Insidious:
Approaching the infamous red door, shivers ran down my spine as I heard Elise say in the distance, “Into the further you go.” Venturing into the house, I anticipated Insidious to be this year’s scariest haunted house—and it was. The set design replicated the ominous Lambert family home and their baby’s bedroom, which had everyone in awe.
As a horror movie fanatic, walking through Insidious felt like the torment from the lipstick-faced demon would never end. However, this made the experience better. Insidious is undoubtedly a fan favorite with the perfect balance of beautiful set design and fear.
A Quiet Place:
To me, the Quiet Place felt like a game: don’t make a sound and you’ll walk out alive.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t too difficult to achieve, as the main source of fear was loud animatronics popping out of dark corners, instead of the usual live actors. As someone who’s never watched the movies, I couldn’t truly indulge in the set design of the house due to my lack of knowledge on the films. This tainted my experience of the Quiet Place, however, the storyline was well executed.
Triplets of Terror:
Walking into this house, the expectations were high because the storyline was like no other at HHN 2024. The use of blood and guts made this slasher haunted house fun and exciting rather than thrilling. A highlight of the house was one of the deranged triplets flaunting the infamous creepy bunny mask while laughing maniacally, waving around her bloody bat.
The Museum: Deadly Exhibits:
Immediately, I felt the ominous vibe within this folklore museum haunt. Many expressed their dislike towards this house, as they found it mediocre in comparison to the other ones; however, I quite enjoyed it. One jump scare, in particular, had everyone feeling terrified: an inhuman gremlin-like statue jumping out at the crowd.
Slaughter Sinema 2:
Waiting in line as a guest of the untroubled Carey Drive-in movie marathon foreshadowed the fun and exciting nature of this next haunt. I enjoyed how, with every turn, a new movie storyline was featured. The “films” consisted of Mardi Gras Murders, Heavy Medal Hell 3d, Killer Kringles, and more. I was happy to see that Slaughter Sinema included all elements of horror: knives, chainsaws, masks, and even creepy Santa Claus and his elves.
Ghostbusters:
Based on Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, this house is the least frightening. Iconic characters such as Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and Slimer developed a nostalgic and happy feeling as I ventured through the house. Universal did a fantastic job at recreating the exact scenes from the film, with great attention to detail. To top everything off, “Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!” was the last thing I heard as I exited this amusing house. Despite the lack of terror in the Ghostbusters house, the set design easily makes it one of the best at this year’s event.
Monsters Eternal Bloodline:
“All Female. All Fearless. All Fatal.” For the first time in Universal Halloween Horror Nights history, there is an all-female haunted house, and it does not disappoint. It is a frightening battle between classic female monsters. Saskia Van Helsing, a female huntress, fearlessly murdered Count Dracula with a stake, striking it through the villain. However, the daughter of Dracula catches wind of this fateful event and seeks her revenge. It is a battle not worth missing in this year’s HHN.
Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America:
“Tres Monstruos. Una Pesadilla.” Watch your step as you enter the house, as there are three petrifying Spanish legends lurking in the shadows: Lahuelpuchi, La Lechuza, and El Silbón.
Throughout the house, many colorful, uniquely dressed skeletons will pop out, portraying the three Spanish legends the house is based on. This was the first house that I was able to walk through when I arrived, and it set the bar for the night very high with a spirit waiting for you in every corner and top-tier jump scares.
Major Sweets Candy Factory:
In Major Sweets Candy Factory, insiders get to play the role of a chaperone on a field trip. Throughout the house, there are tables with free candy samples, set out by the factory workers, for the unsuspecting victims to try. This house is one of the most interactive houses this year. There are several buttons that people can press to activate various actions, such as hidden water spouts, various scents, and more. Out of all the houses, the Major Sweets Candy Factory had the most interactive components and much suspense.
Goblin’s Feast:
Congratulations! You’ve been invited to the Goblin’s great feast, except there is a morbid twist on this party: you’re the main course. The detail of all the goblin characters added to the anxiety I felt while walking through the house. I remember my first time going through there: I saw a chopped-up, bloody pig that helped build up the suspense. It makes the participant wonder if that’s how they could end up if they travel further. It is a bone-chilling experience and one of the scarier houses Universal has crafted this year.
This year’s Halloween Horror Nights was one of the scariest and will always leave a lasting memory of fear and fun instilled in all.
