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Heinrich's domain is as gorgeous as ever, but the glass ceiling has been hit...for now. |
Todd - 2020's Thirteenth Hour is the culmination of of this haunt's gothic display which originated just a few years ago. The show presents the most balanced offering yet among three very distinct settings supported by some very talented actors. You should not miss it this year - and here's why...
13H sits on a gravel lot, in the open air which alone makes it fairly unique. Outdoor haunts are not at all uncommon, however the extensively unique build and these sets it apart from its counterparts. Fans of the band Ghost will feel right at home in the Cathedral of Souls, a build reminiscent of a post-Victorian era church turned sinister. Each hallway is symmetrical with it's decor, lighting and wall accents. The color scheme is nearly gray scale and yet the inhabitants are very vivid. The story unfolds throughout the haunt, beginning with a well-produced introduction after you enter and continues as you meet other characters inside. The key roles are performed extremely well offering both context and great amounts of interaction and adlibbing. For example, the dark priest will make your group decide who the ultimate sacrifice is and rather than spewing static lines, he takes his time to converse and make observations while maintaining his dark sarcastic whit.
A new addition this year was the teacher who is a very spiteful nun. I really enjoy all the key roles of this haunt but she was my favorite this year. She had a very strong delivery; it was very impressive. Kudos! It's also important to note that you wont have the same experience year-to-year. For example, last year in the study, we met Heinrich himself. This year, it was the sister-in-law, Hester (?) gone mad over the death of her sister and nephew. This actress did a fine job and was also wearing an outstanding costume which included a dress made from pages of books and letters. There are plenty of actors in 13H and the majority have little-to-no speaking roles. There is a lot of suspicion in this haunt as to whether a figure is a person or a prop - there's only one way you'll find out. There are also a number of hidden panels which actors will appear from yelling, usually "Sinner!" or your basic "argh". Fortunately, while it was repetitive, it didn't quite reach and over-used level.
There are a number of unique features that work quite well in 13H. One is a circular room you'll find yourself in towards the end of the first section which is pitch black with the exception of a strobe light blinking once every 2 seconds or so. In the middle of the room is a figure that your brain will not have enough time to register with each half second pulse of light. To add to the discomfort, there's no obvious exit. You'll need to rely on the barely visible signal from this figure to point towards your way out.
The second section of 13H is a graveyard and crypts. Here you'll meet the widow Chapel mourning over the loss of her son...of course, she's deceased as well - maybe someone forgot to tell her? As expected with this haunt, the environment is very detailed and authentic looking. An amazing fountain is the centerpiece of this area which utilizes a laser fog making it appear as if the water is an endless abyss to the other side. It is very cool looking and I'd love one for my living room. It's the small things like this that really enhance an already fantastic build. Along the way through the grounds, you'll encounter restless bodies trapped between the stone walls struggling to get out. Otherwise, there are much fewer actors in this section, which is fitting given than it is (or feels like) the shorted segment of the haunt.
The final area are the mines where the supposed deceased of the narrative have been exhumed. Last year, I recall the build having a lot of fine detail such as pipes and tools along the wall. The same pieces are present but as we got through this section, the build turned a little more traditional with wood walls, scarecrows, pumpkins etc. I feel like the theme gets lost a bit.
You'll encounter Heinrich in this area this year, along with the spider queen which is still a cleverly implemented scene with a good actress. As always at the end, you'll meet the Master who will ask who your sacrifice is. The designee will exit through one door and the rest will exit through another. Paul was our sacrifice so read his review for the details on Purgatory - trust me, it's worth it. Either way you go, your final task is to navigate the dark, fog-filled path and find the way out. It's simply impossible to see; instead, follow the heartbeat that pulses at the exit. As it grows in intensity, you know you're getting closer.
From a Covid safety standpoint, since all of the non-primary actors wear head masks anyway, their Covid masks are not visible and there's no lost illusion as a result. The primary actors with the speaking roles wear clear half-face shields which allow for you to still see their mouths and complete makeup. It works VERY well and thus far, this felt as the least visually impacted haunt by safety guidelines.
To wrap up - why do you need to go this year? Well, because this is The Thirteenth Hour's last year at their location. While no doubt this brings on the stress to find a new home, I think it's an exciting time because I would love nothing more than to see a grander, longer 13H uninhibited by its current space restrictions. Of course, any new location will have a space limitation, but to see what was accomplished on the current lot is nothing less than outstanding. Call me biased but I absolutely LOVE the theme of the first section. It's dark, gothic, creepy, a little evil - everything I wish my house was (I've told the owner this over and over so this is not news). If the next venue is indoors, sure - it'll be different. I wont be able to simply look up and see that 3/4 moon peeking from behind the black clouds...but if it brings even more of this incredible construction, it's an easy price to pay. Lastly, if this level of construction can be achieved from standing walls dismantled at the end of each season, I can't even imaging what could be achieved within a permanent residence.
Will it happen in 2021? Time will tell.
13H sits on a gravel lot, in the open air which alone makes it fairly unique. Outdoor haunts are not at all uncommon, however the extensively unique build and these sets it apart from its counterparts. Fans of the band Ghost will feel right at home in the Cathedral of Souls, a build reminiscent of a post-Victorian era church turned sinister. Each hallway is symmetrical with it's decor, lighting and wall accents. The color scheme is nearly gray scale and yet the inhabitants are very vivid. The story unfolds throughout the haunt, beginning with a well-produced introduction after you enter and continues as you meet other characters inside. The key roles are performed extremely well offering both context and great amounts of interaction and adlibbing. For example, the dark priest will make your group decide who the ultimate sacrifice is and rather than spewing static lines, he takes his time to converse and make observations while maintaining his dark sarcastic whit.
A new addition this year was the teacher who is a very spiteful nun. I really enjoy all the key roles of this haunt but she was my favorite this year. She had a very strong delivery; it was very impressive. Kudos! It's also important to note that you wont have the same experience year-to-year. For example, last year in the study, we met Heinrich himself. This year, it was the sister-in-law, Hester (?) gone mad over the death of her sister and nephew. This actress did a fine job and was also wearing an outstanding costume which included a dress made from pages of books and letters. There are plenty of actors in 13H and the majority have little-to-no speaking roles. There is a lot of suspicion in this haunt as to whether a figure is a person or a prop - there's only one way you'll find out. There are also a number of hidden panels which actors will appear from yelling, usually "Sinner!" or your basic "argh". Fortunately, while it was repetitive, it didn't quite reach and over-used level.
There are a number of unique features that work quite well in 13H. One is a circular room you'll find yourself in towards the end of the first section which is pitch black with the exception of a strobe light blinking once every 2 seconds or so. In the middle of the room is a figure that your brain will not have enough time to register with each half second pulse of light. To add to the discomfort, there's no obvious exit. You'll need to rely on the barely visible signal from this figure to point towards your way out.
The second section of 13H is a graveyard and crypts. Here you'll meet the widow Chapel mourning over the loss of her son...of course, she's deceased as well - maybe someone forgot to tell her? As expected with this haunt, the environment is very detailed and authentic looking. An amazing fountain is the centerpiece of this area which utilizes a laser fog making it appear as if the water is an endless abyss to the other side. It is very cool looking and I'd love one for my living room. It's the small things like this that really enhance an already fantastic build. Along the way through the grounds, you'll encounter restless bodies trapped between the stone walls struggling to get out. Otherwise, there are much fewer actors in this section, which is fitting given than it is (or feels like) the shorted segment of the haunt.
The final area are the mines where the supposed deceased of the narrative have been exhumed. Last year, I recall the build having a lot of fine detail such as pipes and tools along the wall. The same pieces are present but as we got through this section, the build turned a little more traditional with wood walls, scarecrows, pumpkins etc. I feel like the theme gets lost a bit.
You'll encounter Heinrich in this area this year, along with the spider queen which is still a cleverly implemented scene with a good actress. As always at the end, you'll meet the Master who will ask who your sacrifice is. The designee will exit through one door and the rest will exit through another. Paul was our sacrifice so read his review for the details on Purgatory - trust me, it's worth it. Either way you go, your final task is to navigate the dark, fog-filled path and find the way out. It's simply impossible to see; instead, follow the heartbeat that pulses at the exit. As it grows in intensity, you know you're getting closer.
From a Covid safety standpoint, since all of the non-primary actors wear head masks anyway, their Covid masks are not visible and there's no lost illusion as a result. The primary actors with the speaking roles wear clear half-face shields which allow for you to still see their mouths and complete makeup. It works VERY well and thus far, this felt as the least visually impacted haunt by safety guidelines.
To wrap up - why do you need to go this year? Well, because this is The Thirteenth Hour's last year at their location. While no doubt this brings on the stress to find a new home, I think it's an exciting time because I would love nothing more than to see a grander, longer 13H uninhibited by its current space restrictions. Of course, any new location will have a space limitation, but to see what was accomplished on the current lot is nothing less than outstanding. Call me biased but I absolutely LOVE the theme of the first section. It's dark, gothic, creepy, a little evil - everything I wish my house was (I've told the owner this over and over so this is not news). If the next venue is indoors, sure - it'll be different. I wont be able to simply look up and see that 3/4 moon peeking from behind the black clouds...but if it brings even more of this incredible construction, it's an easy price to pay. Lastly, if this level of construction can be achieved from standing walls dismantled at the end of each season, I can't even imaging what could be achieved within a permanent residence.
Will it happen in 2021? Time will tell.
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Can a haunt be described as beautiful? |
Paul - Our annual trip to Indianapolis fortunately took us back to one of our most anticipated haunts of each year: Thirteenth Hour. This is one of the most unique haunts we visit, and it's become a favorite for more than one of us.
Thirteenth Hour is an outdoor haunt. There are portions of it that have a covered roof, but through a majority of it you can look up and see the sky if you want to... Not that you'll want to take your eyes off of the devious world around you. There are 3 parts to the haunt but they all revolve around the evil doings of a single person- Heinrich Chapel.
You start out in the Cathedral. This is where Heinrich performed his ceremonies, and it's still full of beings who are apparently still trying to carry out his work, and who REALLY hate sinners! As you wander through the halls, you encounter jumps and scares around every corner. Once past the Cathedral you'll enter Reaper's Hollow: A graveyard probably unlike any you've ever seen, and my favorite portion of the haunt. Then the final barrier on your path is Mine #13. The mine is an intense mash-up where you meet finally meet Heinrich, as well as a couple other very imposing characters.
All three portions add up to one of the most detailed, well-built, and creepy haunts I've ever experienced. The set quality here is amazing, and there are more in-house-built props here than in probably 95% of the haunts we visit. It's really a beautiful display of horror!
I admittedly skimmed through the 3 parts of the haunt, but that's mostly due to not wanting to spoil much of it. One thing I will mention... If you become the sacrifice, prepare for purgatory. It's a completely unexpected experience!
Thirteenth Hour is a haunt spectacle unlike any other I've seen, and I highly suggest you check it out if you find yourself around Indianapolis during Halloween season.
Thirteenth Hour is an outdoor haunt. There are portions of it that have a covered roof, but through a majority of it you can look up and see the sky if you want to... Not that you'll want to take your eyes off of the devious world around you. There are 3 parts to the haunt but they all revolve around the evil doings of a single person- Heinrich Chapel.
You start out in the Cathedral. This is where Heinrich performed his ceremonies, and it's still full of beings who are apparently still trying to carry out his work, and who REALLY hate sinners! As you wander through the halls, you encounter jumps and scares around every corner. Once past the Cathedral you'll enter Reaper's Hollow: A graveyard probably unlike any you've ever seen, and my favorite portion of the haunt. Then the final barrier on your path is Mine #13. The mine is an intense mash-up where you meet finally meet Heinrich, as well as a couple other very imposing characters.
All three portions add up to one of the most detailed, well-built, and creepy haunts I've ever experienced. The set quality here is amazing, and there are more in-house-built props here than in probably 95% of the haunts we visit. It's really a beautiful display of horror!
I admittedly skimmed through the 3 parts of the haunt, but that's mostly due to not wanting to spoil much of it. One thing I will mention... If you become the sacrifice, prepare for purgatory. It's a completely unexpected experience!
Thirteenth Hour is a haunt spectacle unlike any other I've seen, and I highly suggest you check it out if you find yourself around Indianapolis during Halloween season.
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The cathedral itself is really dramatic and gothic. It looks like a ruin of a medieval church, complete with secret passages. |
Teresa - This is an outdoor haunt in the Indianapolis area, although, at times when you're in it, you feel like you're in a medieval church, centuries-old graveyard, or mine and not outside at all. 13th Hour is perfect for those trying to avoid indoor haunts this year due to COVID. The decor and theming here are fantastic...but I'm getting ahead of myself. First, let me encourage you to check out the website for the backstory. To summarize, an undertaker named Heinrich Chapel created a giant underground grave in 1903, and for 10 years, he performed bizarre ceremonies in the abandoned chapel next to his funeral parlor. Then something horrible happened, and Heinrich, his wife, and 11 other people went missing. The haunt consists of three attractions, the first being The Cathedral of Souls, the second is Reaper's Hollow, and the third part is Mine No. 13. You can get tickets online and the website is actually very good. I'd highly recommend going there to read about the different options, get your tickets (they can sell out) and read about COVID safety requirements. You can get discounted tickets sometimes as well. As I'm writing this, the fast lane tickets are only $3 more than the general admission tickets. Once you get there, you'll see the fast lane line and the general admission line. There are some nice photo-op spots as well.
You sinners begin your visit in The Cathedral of Souls. The monks here are very interactive. They will ask you questions and give you directions to follow that enhance your experience. Play along and have fun! They may put you on the spot, they may separate you from your group. This is a no-contact haunt, but there are dark passages and jump scares galore. The cathedral itself is really dramatic and gothic. It looks like a ruin of a medieval church, complete with secret passages. There are some fantastic effects. The lighting and timing are top notch. The more you pay attention to the story and scenes, the more fun it is. Even the costumes are impressive! This place was designed with an eye for detail. It is very professional in its execution ("its" not "yours"), although, we'll just wait and see about that. One of your party will be chosen as a sacrifice very early on, after all.
The second area is Reaper's Hollow. This is the graveyard full of crypts, monuments, tombstones, and just some great Halloween-y scenes (I still want my yard to look like this year-round), and there's even a fountain. This place is a taphophile's dream and has been expanded for this year. It's just visually delightful...if you have a dark, gothic soul. It would be the perfect backdrop for Halloween wedding photos. Is that ash floating in the air? I wonder where it's coming from? There are more awesome lighting effects and jump scares, and more creepy characters, like Heinrich's grieving widow, and as you meander deeper into the dungeon-like tunnels, way too many spiders and their fright-tastic queen.
The last section is Mine No. 13. In this portion, you wind your way into the mine where Heinrich hid the bodies all those years ago. What else was he hiding? There were some seriously thrilling scenes in here. I was so excited to meet The Master! And if you are "the sacrifice" you will be separated from your party. I won't spoil the surprise, but let's just say, I'm jealous it wasn't me! I found myself in a super-dark maze, where some people were evidently quite lost. I managed to find my way through fairly quickly (alone), and then was caught off-guard by another new scene. When I finally got out, I had to wait on the rest of my group to find their way. Spoiler alert - they eventually did. Will your party be so lucky?
I so love the theme and visuals here and all the interaction with the actors. It's such a beautifully constructed haunt and so much fun! I look forward to it every year! From what I understand, it will be in a new location next year (hopefully, next year) and I'll be super-excited to see what that brings.
You sinners begin your visit in The Cathedral of Souls. The monks here are very interactive. They will ask you questions and give you directions to follow that enhance your experience. Play along and have fun! They may put you on the spot, they may separate you from your group. This is a no-contact haunt, but there are dark passages and jump scares galore. The cathedral itself is really dramatic and gothic. It looks like a ruin of a medieval church, complete with secret passages. There are some fantastic effects. The lighting and timing are top notch. The more you pay attention to the story and scenes, the more fun it is. Even the costumes are impressive! This place was designed with an eye for detail. It is very professional in its execution ("its" not "yours"), although, we'll just wait and see about that. One of your party will be chosen as a sacrifice very early on, after all.
The second area is Reaper's Hollow. This is the graveyard full of crypts, monuments, tombstones, and just some great Halloween-y scenes (I still want my yard to look like this year-round), and there's even a fountain. This place is a taphophile's dream and has been expanded for this year. It's just visually delightful...if you have a dark, gothic soul. It would be the perfect backdrop for Halloween wedding photos. Is that ash floating in the air? I wonder where it's coming from? There are more awesome lighting effects and jump scares, and more creepy characters, like Heinrich's grieving widow, and as you meander deeper into the dungeon-like tunnels, way too many spiders and their fright-tastic queen.
The last section is Mine No. 13. In this portion, you wind your way into the mine where Heinrich hid the bodies all those years ago. What else was he hiding? There were some seriously thrilling scenes in here. I was so excited to meet The Master! And if you are "the sacrifice" you will be separated from your party. I won't spoil the surprise, but let's just say, I'm jealous it wasn't me! I found myself in a super-dark maze, where some people were evidently quite lost. I managed to find my way through fairly quickly (alone), and then was caught off-guard by another new scene. When I finally got out, I had to wait on the rest of my group to find their way. Spoiler alert - they eventually did. Will your party be so lucky?
I so love the theme and visuals here and all the interaction with the actors. It's such a beautifully constructed haunt and so much fun! I look forward to it every year! From what I understand, it will be in a new location next year (hopefully, next year) and I'll be super-excited to see what that brings.
Questions? Have a story to share? Leave it in the comments!