Which movies pop first to mind when you think of horror movies about Halloween haunted attractions? The Houses October Built? Hell House LLC? Haunt?
Those all popped into my mind when I learned of Haunt Season, a forthcoming slasher movie from Epic Pictures’ specialty horror label, DREAD. I agree with Epic Pictures CEO Patrick Ewald, who said said, “DREAD is the leader in Halloween films, and with Haunt Season arriving just in time, it promises to kick off the spookiest time of the year in terrifying style.”
It truly couldn’t release at a better time, given what it’s about. Here’s the synopsis:
A masked maniac targets cast members at a suburban Halloween haunt attraction, turning their staged injuries into gruesome real-life horrors. As the terror escalates, the lines between performance and reality blur.
But something else in the movie’s press release particularly caught my eye. Specifically, how it was “filmed on-location at a working Midwest haunted house during its Halloween season.”
The first thing my busy little brain wanted to know was, “Where? Which haunted house?”
A quick Google produced the answer: Realm of Terror Haunted House in Round Lake Beach, Illinois.
About Realm of Terror Haunted House
Realm of Terror Haunted House opens the same day that the limited theatrical release for Haunt Season starts: October 4. But don’t worry. If it’s not coming to a theater near you, you won’t have to wait long to see it. It’ll also be available to rent or purchase on video-on-demand (VOD) on October 8.
Realm of Terror describes itself as an “intense” and “over the top” haunted house and one of the longest-running in Illinois. It’s also one of the best, according to hauntedillinois.com and hauntedhousechicago.com, both of which rated it the number one haunted attraction in Illinois. (Per RoT, “More times than any other haunted house, ever!”)
I’ve never been, but I have no doubt it’s telling the truth. The promo vid on its home page shows some pretty terrifying characters.
About Haunt Season
Haunt Season stars Stephen Kristof, Jeremy Warner (Reporting for Christmas, The Coming, The Unseen), Katelin Stack (The Evil Three, Evil Lurks, The Natural) and Adam Hinkle (Chicago Fire, The Park, Under Covers).
It also features two prominent YouTubers in supporting roles: Rob Scallon (The Rob Scallon channel, Sonic Boom, WheezyWaiter) and Craig Benzine (Wheezywaiter, Algorhythm, Oscar’s Hotel for Fantastical Creatures). The soundtrack also features songs by Rob Scallon. (As well as Andrew Huang.)
Another Scallon connection comes via the movie’s writer and director, Jake Jarvi (whose credits include The Rob Scallon channel, The Platoon of Power Squadron, and The Girl).
And if you’re all about the visuals when it comes to horror movies, Haunt Season “utilizes practical effects and jaw-dropping SFX makeup to achieve its terrifying kills.”
Sounds like it’s full of both tricks and treats, doesn’t it?
Boo-k It!
For more info about Realm of Terror Haunted House, visit https://www.realmofterror.com.
Check-In
Would you rather watch a movie about a Halloween haunted attraction or visit one? Or is there no “rather” because you’d like to do both? (As always, “both” is always an option. So is “neither” if haunted houses just aren’t your thing.)
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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I’d rather watch a movie about a haunted attraction, at home by myself, because that way my terrified screams won’t annoy or even deafen those around me!
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA, Priscilla!!!! I’m with you. It’s the only way I can experience a haunted attraction (unless they offer a lights on daytime tour) because otherwise…meltdown! But I always tell people, “Have your camera ready. You could capture YouTube gold. You’ve never seen a short, fat, white, middle aged white woman move so fast!” lol