|
|
|
The good, the great and the unexpected. |
Todd - The Devil’s Attic is most known for its homages to horror film classics, almost in its entirety. This is always a risky undertaking because there are pre-existing expectations to be met and nothing fails more than a Jason Voorhees wearing a cheap knockoff mask from Walgreens or a Freddy Kruger wielding a plastic claw with bent blades. Fortunately, The Devil’s Attic is on top of their recreation game.
It’s been two years since we last visited The Devil’s Attic and we found a welcome mix of old favorites, new scenes and extended scenes. Some personal favorites, such as The Evil Dead and SAW remain, though unchanged (yet somehow I NEVER remember which doorway is the right one to exit through). The Frankenstein scene is still there, but this year’s doctor was reminiscent of Hunter S. Thompson and quite entertaining – my favorite actor there so far. Other scenes were implemented differently giving them fresh takes, such as The Exorcist, where now not only is Regan possessed, but so is the priest (Regan is now an animatronic; personally I preferred the live actress).
….and then there’s The Human Centipede room. Yeah, they went there. The only live actor in the room is the doctor (who was absolutely hyper insane, by the way), which I guess I can understand as not too many people are going to volunteer to have their face tied to someone else’s ass for five hours a night. However, it is still a great looking scene, complete with the infamously simple surgery diagram on the wall.
Overall the actors were dialed up to 11, either screaming at the top of their lungs or moving about frantically. Ash is still portrayed as looney as ever, the female vampires at the beginning are relentless and even the big man himself in the beginning now has a lot more gusto.
There were a few head scratching moments though, like why was a girl having a birthday party in the Ed Gein room? It wasn’t a really scary birthday party and all she did was ask where her presents are and throw a fit when we didn’t have any. There’s another scene at the midway point where a bride (?) or random girl in white (?) was yelling give me your souls before we walked down a familiar white hallway with ghostly monsters lurking above. I wasn’t sure what that was supposed to be exactly.
The biggest change by far was the extension of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre finale. Now, you enter through the Sawyer home façade, into the dining room. That scene with grandpa instantly came to my mind and there he was in the flesh, offering a few fresh cuts. What used to be the lone Texas Chainsaw room at the end of the haunt is now an outdoor scene of Texas Chainsaw, complete with a van and Franklin (the actor does a great job at mimicking the sheer frustration towards his sister). Lastly, Leatherface makes his cameo with the largest chainsaw I’ve ever seen. I highly enjoyed this extended scene – but it came at a price. Due to spatial limitations, the preceding Hellraiser scene has been shortened, which is a bit of a bummer. I always thought that was the best re-created part of the haunt.
Every year I’m reminded that I just wish The Devil’s Attic was bigger and had more space to work with. After seeing what a multi-room theme can look like with Texas Chainsaw, I can only imagine the limitless possibilities of extending other areas if there was space to do so. Add a room-sized contraption from SAW or The Human Centipede 2 (or 3!) to my wish list! Since the attention to detail is so high, I certainly understand that it’s not feasible to flip multiple rooms year after year, but I can dream. Regardless, The Devil’s Attic is always worth a stop since it’s unparalleled at putting you right into your favorite horror flicks.
It’s been two years since we last visited The Devil’s Attic and we found a welcome mix of old favorites, new scenes and extended scenes. Some personal favorites, such as The Evil Dead and SAW remain, though unchanged (yet somehow I NEVER remember which doorway is the right one to exit through). The Frankenstein scene is still there, but this year’s doctor was reminiscent of Hunter S. Thompson and quite entertaining – my favorite actor there so far. Other scenes were implemented differently giving them fresh takes, such as The Exorcist, where now not only is Regan possessed, but so is the priest (Regan is now an animatronic; personally I preferred the live actress).
….and then there’s The Human Centipede room. Yeah, they went there. The only live actor in the room is the doctor (who was absolutely hyper insane, by the way), which I guess I can understand as not too many people are going to volunteer to have their face tied to someone else’s ass for five hours a night. However, it is still a great looking scene, complete with the infamously simple surgery diagram on the wall.
Overall the actors were dialed up to 11, either screaming at the top of their lungs or moving about frantically. Ash is still portrayed as looney as ever, the female vampires at the beginning are relentless and even the big man himself in the beginning now has a lot more gusto.
There were a few head scratching moments though, like why was a girl having a birthday party in the Ed Gein room? It wasn’t a really scary birthday party and all she did was ask where her presents are and throw a fit when we didn’t have any. There’s another scene at the midway point where a bride (?) or random girl in white (?) was yelling give me your souls before we walked down a familiar white hallway with ghostly monsters lurking above. I wasn’t sure what that was supposed to be exactly.
The biggest change by far was the extension of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre finale. Now, you enter through the Sawyer home façade, into the dining room. That scene with grandpa instantly came to my mind and there he was in the flesh, offering a few fresh cuts. What used to be the lone Texas Chainsaw room at the end of the haunt is now an outdoor scene of Texas Chainsaw, complete with a van and Franklin (the actor does a great job at mimicking the sheer frustration towards his sister). Lastly, Leatherface makes his cameo with the largest chainsaw I’ve ever seen. I highly enjoyed this extended scene – but it came at a price. Due to spatial limitations, the preceding Hellraiser scene has been shortened, which is a bit of a bummer. I always thought that was the best re-created part of the haunt.
Every year I’m reminded that I just wish The Devil’s Attic was bigger and had more space to work with. After seeing what a multi-room theme can look like with Texas Chainsaw, I can only imagine the limitless possibilities of extending other areas if there was space to do so. Add a room-sized contraption from SAW or The Human Centipede 2 (or 3!) to my wish list! Since the attention to detail is so high, I certainly understand that it’s not feasible to flip multiple rooms year after year, but I can dream. Regardless, The Devil’s Attic is always worth a stop since it’s unparalleled at putting you right into your favorite horror flicks.
|
The Devil is up to his old tricks again... |
Paul - After missing a year at The Devil's Attic, we returned this year to find he did some rearranging up there! Some new scenes, some familiar ones, and chaos as always.
The Devil's Attic is a place where all sorts of various horror awaits. You don't really get a singular theme per se, but you go through a collection of nightmares that lie all over the phobia spectrum. As always, the different areas are very detailed and well constructed, and you'll get a mix of random scare scenes and movie-themed scenes.
As you enter inside, you'll get to have a little chat with the Devil himself before beginning your trek through his halls of nightmares. You'll pass through room after room of scares galore. Some very good actors are stationed in several scenes, while some rely on jump scares and screams; but every area is different enough to really give some variety and keep you guessing what you'll wander into next. This year I was especially impressed with Dr Frankenstein and the Exorcist priest, but there were quite a few areas that made an impact. I don't like mentioning too many specifics in order to avoid spoiling the surprises, but there were quite a few scenes that will be recognizable even to those who don't watch many horror movies.
As always, the Devil's Attic is a great time. Easy to get to near the University of Louisville, there's plenty of free parking, some roaming actors to keep you on your toes as you wait in line, and the cost is very reasonable. We love visiting with the Devil every year and know you'll enjoy it too.
The Devil's Attic is a place where all sorts of various horror awaits. You don't really get a singular theme per se, but you go through a collection of nightmares that lie all over the phobia spectrum. As always, the different areas are very detailed and well constructed, and you'll get a mix of random scare scenes and movie-themed scenes.
As you enter inside, you'll get to have a little chat with the Devil himself before beginning your trek through his halls of nightmares. You'll pass through room after room of scares galore. Some very good actors are stationed in several scenes, while some rely on jump scares and screams; but every area is different enough to really give some variety and keep you guessing what you'll wander into next. This year I was especially impressed with Dr Frankenstein and the Exorcist priest, but there were quite a few areas that made an impact. I don't like mentioning too many specifics in order to avoid spoiling the surprises, but there were quite a few scenes that will be recognizable even to those who don't watch many horror movies.
As always, the Devil's Attic is a great time. Easy to get to near the University of Louisville, there's plenty of free parking, some roaming actors to keep you on your toes as you wait in line, and the cost is very reasonable. We love visiting with the Devil every year and know you'll enjoy it too.
|
The Devil himself extends you an enthusiastic greeting and welcomes you to his collection of the most evil characters the world has ever known. |
Teresa - I was so happy to return to The Devil's Attic this year to see all my favorite demonic entities were still scaring the hell out of people. The Devil's Attic is located in Louisville, KY and is a must-see if you're planning to catch some haunt action there. Any horror fan will love this place as all the scenes and characters inside are either from famous movies (think The Evil Dead or Hellraiser) or famous horror icons (such as vampires or Medusa). The Devil has collected the best of the best here, to haunt his very own attic. You can find anything you need to know about location, hours, and how to buy tickets, along with coupons for discounted tickets, ways to find them on social media, reviews and the like on their website. The queue has roaming demons, like Count Orlock...I was going to say, "to amuse you", but really, he's using you to amuse himself. There's merchandise, a food truck, some fun props to use to stage your group photos, and a movie screen to keep you distracted while you wait - that way you won't notice the giant prehistoric wendigo demon-god coming up behind you until the hair on the back of your neck stands up and you see your friends backing away in terror.
Are you still with me? Let's go inside! The Devil himself extends you an enthusiastic greeting and welcomes you to his collection of the most evil characters the world has ever known. Please, have some respect. Then you go through horrifying scene after scene. I love seeing how quickly I can recognize what movie or famous monster is inhabiting each one. The decor, sounds and costumes are top notch and the actors are VERY intense! It isn't a touch haunt, but they really violate your space. We got to spend plenty of time with each one, really making us feel like we were living in a nightmare. They will require some participation from you, so look alive! Speak up when you are asked a question and do as you're told! Some parts have been redesigned, so if you've been here in years past and think you know what to expect, think again. My favorite thing about The Devil's Attic is how it makes you feel like you're immersed in your favorite scary movie or face-to-face with a legendary monster. I love the rush of excitement when I realize where I am, and then the awe at the scene, and the adrenaline from the jump scares or intimidation from whatever creature haunts the space. And boy, do I love watching people sprint out the exit in total panic! Which reminds me, don't linger there at the exit too long as you will get trampled in the stampede.
Are you still with me? Let's go inside! The Devil himself extends you an enthusiastic greeting and welcomes you to his collection of the most evil characters the world has ever known. Please, have some respect. Then you go through horrifying scene after scene. I love seeing how quickly I can recognize what movie or famous monster is inhabiting each one. The decor, sounds and costumes are top notch and the actors are VERY intense! It isn't a touch haunt, but they really violate your space. We got to spend plenty of time with each one, really making us feel like we were living in a nightmare. They will require some participation from you, so look alive! Speak up when you are asked a question and do as you're told! Some parts have been redesigned, so if you've been here in years past and think you know what to expect, think again. My favorite thing about The Devil's Attic is how it makes you feel like you're immersed in your favorite scary movie or face-to-face with a legendary monster. I love the rush of excitement when I realize where I am, and then the awe at the scene, and the adrenaline from the jump scares or intimidation from whatever creature haunts the space. And boy, do I love watching people sprint out the exit in total panic! Which reminds me, don't linger there at the exit too long as you will get trampled in the stampede.
|
Hail Satan! |
Emily - I love Satan! Just kidding, but I do love The Devil’s Attic and all the souls trapped there. While some haunts rely mainly on gory sets and spooky lighting, Devil’s Attic invests in their performance. From costumes to acting technique, the people that work this haunt really make it a great (and terrifying) experience. That doesn’t mean their sets aren’t amazing too though. The movie references kept me thinking, as I tried to identify the horror stories from my childhood. This haunt brings that sense of nostalgia that makes horror so fun, while also brining some unique aspects to their characters.
Use a GPS if you have not been to Devil’s Attic previously, otherwise you will probably drive right past the entrance. The neighborhood is not the greatest, but once you are in the lot, it isn’t too bad. There is a lot of room for parking, and it is free. There was a food truck parked out front the night we arrived and at the end of the haunt, they had a small gift shop where you can buy souvenirs and bottled drinks. There was a projector playing creepy clips and enjoyable (in my opinion) heavy-metal music while you wait in line, which is outdoors. There were a few actors roaming the lot and haunt line. The first thing I noticed were their colored contacts. This really set off the look and made me even more excited to experience the haunt. The costumes were very detailed, and I am pretty sure their weapons were real.
Upon entering the all-indoor haunt, you are greeted by the devil himself. I like that he is the introduction, explaining what he has done with the place, rather than the main attraction. I will probably say this a few more times before the review is over, but I honestly couldn’t tell if it was a mask or makeup. Seriously, kudos to their costume staff because they are really setting Devil’s Attic apart from the rest. Of course, the actors also set the bar high. A few memorable interactions were the hot vampires, Franklin’s set, the Egyptian princess (again, amazing makeup), and the possessed priest who gets unsettlingly close with that crucifix. They put on a great show and kept the pace perfectly.
Due to childhood trauma, stemmed from watching too many scary movies, werewolves are most terrifying to me. Surprisingly, they aren’t very common in haunts these days, but the devil has a few roaming around his attic. That was nice to see, even though I loathe them. I also must mention the human centipede display… I have avoided this movie because I don’t think I can handle it. Devil’s Attic brought that image to reality for me and, although it is brief, it is a very impactful scene.
There were a few things that are great ideas, but I wish were better executed. Maybe we passed at a bad time, but I feel like I wanted more from Bloody Mary. Not sure what, but something was missing. She had me hopeful to see Candyman somewhere in the attic. I couldn’t help but look upon Medusa’s beauty, however, her room felt too open. I assume it was supposed to be a temple-like setting, but I wanted to be closer. Although, that’s probably how she got all those cool statues. Loved the snakes though. One last thing, I wish the maze of many doors had a little more interaction.
Overall, Devil’s Attic is one of the greats in the area. I’ve said it about a hundred (ok, four) times, and I will say it again, the costume and makeup staff are no joke and deserve a lot of credit for the effort put into their craft. Everyone involved with this haunt cares about their work, showmanship, and audience. They stole my horror movie loving heart.
Hail Satan! …Wait, did I mention the makeup?
Use a GPS if you have not been to Devil’s Attic previously, otherwise you will probably drive right past the entrance. The neighborhood is not the greatest, but once you are in the lot, it isn’t too bad. There is a lot of room for parking, and it is free. There was a food truck parked out front the night we arrived and at the end of the haunt, they had a small gift shop where you can buy souvenirs and bottled drinks. There was a projector playing creepy clips and enjoyable (in my opinion) heavy-metal music while you wait in line, which is outdoors. There were a few actors roaming the lot and haunt line. The first thing I noticed were their colored contacts. This really set off the look and made me even more excited to experience the haunt. The costumes were very detailed, and I am pretty sure their weapons were real.
Upon entering the all-indoor haunt, you are greeted by the devil himself. I like that he is the introduction, explaining what he has done with the place, rather than the main attraction. I will probably say this a few more times before the review is over, but I honestly couldn’t tell if it was a mask or makeup. Seriously, kudos to their costume staff because they are really setting Devil’s Attic apart from the rest. Of course, the actors also set the bar high. A few memorable interactions were the hot vampires, Franklin’s set, the Egyptian princess (again, amazing makeup), and the possessed priest who gets unsettlingly close with that crucifix. They put on a great show and kept the pace perfectly.
Due to childhood trauma, stemmed from watching too many scary movies, werewolves are most terrifying to me. Surprisingly, they aren’t very common in haunts these days, but the devil has a few roaming around his attic. That was nice to see, even though I loathe them. I also must mention the human centipede display… I have avoided this movie because I don’t think I can handle it. Devil’s Attic brought that image to reality for me and, although it is brief, it is a very impactful scene.
There were a few things that are great ideas, but I wish were better executed. Maybe we passed at a bad time, but I feel like I wanted more from Bloody Mary. Not sure what, but something was missing. She had me hopeful to see Candyman somewhere in the attic. I couldn’t help but look upon Medusa’s beauty, however, her room felt too open. I assume it was supposed to be a temple-like setting, but I wanted to be closer. Although, that’s probably how she got all those cool statues. Loved the snakes though. One last thing, I wish the maze of many doors had a little more interaction.
Overall, Devil’s Attic is one of the greats in the area. I’ve said it about a hundred (ok, four) times, and I will say it again, the costume and makeup staff are no joke and deserve a lot of credit for the effort put into their craft. Everyone involved with this haunt cares about their work, showmanship, and audience. They stole my horror movie loving heart.
Hail Satan! …Wait, did I mention the makeup?
Questions? Have a story to share? Leave it in the comments!