Todd - Malice Manor is one of my favorite haunts and it’s only in its third year. This haunt was able to run before it start walking and it just keeps going. If there’s one thing you need to know about Malice Manor, it’s that you never, ever, know what to expect. As the haunt itself continues to evolve, so does the front of house. The indoor queue line has now been build up to resemble a grotto of course, with tall columns arching over those waiting in line, decorative fencing maintaining a clear path, all covered in foliage. Storm effects consistently play overhead to set the mood before entering.
This haunt originally started without a story. It was set up as an anything and everything haunt that just had a mash up of variously themed rooms. I never felt this was too detrimental to the haunt since it keeps you entirely entertained, shifting from setting to setting. It worked too, more so than setting a story and failing to support it. However, Malice Manor is starting to take on some shape in terms of its lore, cleverly using its name – mALICE – to tell the story of Alice, the deceased daughter of the Manor’s owner. While it’s now set up that the encounters to be had inside are various means in attempts of resurrecting Alice, it all doesn’t quit fit the narrative, but it’s fun as hell all the same.
After being welcomed to the home and given the premise that necromancy is being used in attempts to revive Alice, we ventured in and immediately were met with some excitable characters who did keep Alice within their dialogue. It wasn’t two minutes in when we came into the kitchen to find a seemingly sweet mother cooking dinner. As I greeted her, she promptly threw me against the wall and held a knife to my throat. Now THAT is some home brewed TLC!
Moving on, we encountered a number of outrageous and memorable characters – including the overly-excited man-child welcoming us as his new toys, the made-up “lady” of the night who clearly remembered Paul and offered to make herself memorable to him, a dark arts priestess working towards some kind of ritual or conjuring, oh and of course Bubba. Bubba has become the standout character of Malice Manor for me. He’s absolutely gross and hysterical. Normally we visit Bubba in a dank bathroom but this year, we met up with him in the meat shop along with his brother, Butch who was equally as entertaining. After an unexpected sandwiching between the two of them (it’s exactly as it sounds), Butch kept the laughs coming, spewing lines like how his meat is better than Arby’s (I love Arby’s jokes).
There’s really no bad scene in Malice Manor, though not all of them support this new storyline (at least not obviously) – such as the arcade, the boardwalk or the garage. Don’t get me wrong, the arcade alone had two really good jump scares, but what’s it have to do with Alice or the sinister attempts to get her back? To be clear - I had no issues with Malice Manor this year; I loved it just as much as ever, however, if a storyline is being laid out, there’s a degree of a responsibility to tell that story throughout the haunt and I don’t think Malice Manor is quite there yet.
Any great haunt must have great actors and Malice Manor has them. Despite a haunt season riddled with staffing issues everywhere, this haunt has an amazing cast that throws humility to the wind to present some of the most off the wall characters out there. The showcase of this haunt really is the actors themselves, supported by some hauntingly gorgeous and original builds. It’s the trifecta of the actors, the dark humor and the spirit of the haunt that make Malice Manor so good - it’s scary, other times it’s funny and there’s just a bit of WTF mixed in throughout.
I mean where else are you going to get flogged by a dominatrix right next to a morbidly obese woman on a spinning platform?
Yes. You read that correctly. Oh and when you get to the bar, ask for the Wet & Wild.
This haunt originally started without a story. It was set up as an anything and everything haunt that just had a mash up of variously themed rooms. I never felt this was too detrimental to the haunt since it keeps you entirely entertained, shifting from setting to setting. It worked too, more so than setting a story and failing to support it. However, Malice Manor is starting to take on some shape in terms of its lore, cleverly using its name – mALICE – to tell the story of Alice, the deceased daughter of the Manor’s owner. While it’s now set up that the encounters to be had inside are various means in attempts of resurrecting Alice, it all doesn’t quit fit the narrative, but it’s fun as hell all the same.
After being welcomed to the home and given the premise that necromancy is being used in attempts to revive Alice, we ventured in and immediately were met with some excitable characters who did keep Alice within their dialogue. It wasn’t two minutes in when we came into the kitchen to find a seemingly sweet mother cooking dinner. As I greeted her, she promptly threw me against the wall and held a knife to my throat. Now THAT is some home brewed TLC!
Moving on, we encountered a number of outrageous and memorable characters – including the overly-excited man-child welcoming us as his new toys, the made-up “lady” of the night who clearly remembered Paul and offered to make herself memorable to him, a dark arts priestess working towards some kind of ritual or conjuring, oh and of course Bubba. Bubba has become the standout character of Malice Manor for me. He’s absolutely gross and hysterical. Normally we visit Bubba in a dank bathroom but this year, we met up with him in the meat shop along with his brother, Butch who was equally as entertaining. After an unexpected sandwiching between the two of them (it’s exactly as it sounds), Butch kept the laughs coming, spewing lines like how his meat is better than Arby’s (I love Arby’s jokes).
There’s really no bad scene in Malice Manor, though not all of them support this new storyline (at least not obviously) – such as the arcade, the boardwalk or the garage. Don’t get me wrong, the arcade alone had two really good jump scares, but what’s it have to do with Alice or the sinister attempts to get her back? To be clear - I had no issues with Malice Manor this year; I loved it just as much as ever, however, if a storyline is being laid out, there’s a degree of a responsibility to tell that story throughout the haunt and I don’t think Malice Manor is quite there yet.
Any great haunt must have great actors and Malice Manor has them. Despite a haunt season riddled with staffing issues everywhere, this haunt has an amazing cast that throws humility to the wind to present some of the most off the wall characters out there. The showcase of this haunt really is the actors themselves, supported by some hauntingly gorgeous and original builds. It’s the trifecta of the actors, the dark humor and the spirit of the haunt that make Malice Manor so good - it’s scary, other times it’s funny and there’s just a bit of WTF mixed in throughout.
I mean where else are you going to get flogged by a dominatrix right next to a morbidly obese woman on a spinning platform?
Yes. You read that correctly. Oh and when you get to the bar, ask for the Wet & Wild.
Paul - Malice Manor is one of the newer haunts in the Louisville area, but as good as it is you'd think they've been here for 20 years. Located just across the river from Louisville in New Albany, Indiana, the folks at Malice Manor (MM) put together a fantastic haunt their very first year of operation, and it's only gotten better since. This year adds a completely new queue area, a few rebuilt scenes, some redistributed actors, and cranks up the chaos even further!
MM is a haunt without a theme. Whatever crazy ideas pop into the builders' minds, that's what they do. There's a bit of traditional haunted house, some forest, a little bit of storage shed, an arcade, a boardwalk on the water, and all kinds of other randomness you probably won't expect- And the detail is excellent! The materials, props, layouts, lighting, diversions, and special effects are all outstanding. The not-a-theme theme means that you never know what you're going to walk into around every corner, and if the set itself doesn't scare you the actors sure will.
The MM actors are a riot. So creepy, so entertaining, and some of the most engaging we come across at any haunt we visit. They'll get up close and personal, they'll touch you, they'll creep you out, they'll berate you, and they'll make you into a really smashed-up sandwich. Their dialogue is ever evolving and their improv is phenomenal. It doesn't seem to matter what your responses to their questions are- They'll find a way to use them against you. I especially remember our encounters with the woman in the kitchen, Butch & Bubba, and the guy in the closet, but we had countless memorable actor encounters.
Malice Manor is an absolute blast from start to finish. You'll jump, scream, laugh, and maybe cry; but it's an experience you won't forget. Plenty of free parking, reasonable ticket prices, a great indoor queue area, and one of the best haunted houses around. Malice Manor needs to be on your list!
MM is a haunt without a theme. Whatever crazy ideas pop into the builders' minds, that's what they do. There's a bit of traditional haunted house, some forest, a little bit of storage shed, an arcade, a boardwalk on the water, and all kinds of other randomness you probably won't expect- And the detail is excellent! The materials, props, layouts, lighting, diversions, and special effects are all outstanding. The not-a-theme theme means that you never know what you're going to walk into around every corner, and if the set itself doesn't scare you the actors sure will.
The MM actors are a riot. So creepy, so entertaining, and some of the most engaging we come across at any haunt we visit. They'll get up close and personal, they'll touch you, they'll creep you out, they'll berate you, and they'll make you into a really smashed-up sandwich. Their dialogue is ever evolving and their improv is phenomenal. It doesn't seem to matter what your responses to their questions are- They'll find a way to use them against you. I especially remember our encounters with the woman in the kitchen, Butch & Bubba, and the guy in the closet, but we had countless memorable actor encounters.
Malice Manor is an absolute blast from start to finish. You'll jump, scream, laugh, and maybe cry; but it's an experience you won't forget. Plenty of free parking, reasonable ticket prices, a great indoor queue area, and one of the best haunted houses around. Malice Manor needs to be on your list!
Teresa - Malice Manor is a rather unassuming-looking haunted attraction from the outside. Don't let that fool you. Local ordinances are forcing them to keep everything inside the building, so all that means is, you have no idea what to expect in there, which is almost a theme of this place, and one of the things I love about it. Located in Clarksville in southern Indiana near Louisville, KY, it has only been open for a few years and is quite the undiscovered gem. It seems lots of people still don't know about it, but they are missing out on one of the most entertaining haunts I've been to. There are more big changes this year, so if you went last year and enjoyed it, there are more surprises for you this year. There is plenty of parking in the adjacent parking lot, and tickets are available inside or online. Walk in the front door, and there will be a counter to your right you'll want to visit on your way back out, where you can purchase your group photo you'll take before you go into the actual haunt, and some fun souvenirs. Just past that is a small shack-looking building and this is where you buy tickets if you don't already have them. Then you will see the queue, all indoors, with an all new design. Horror movies are projected on the wall, and the waiting area is creepy now, with columns, wrought iron and vines, with thunder and lightning crashing around you. You can also pay for upgraded fast-pass or skip-the-line passes, if you're short on patience. As I mentioned, when it is your turn, you can grab a prop and pose for a fun photo, and then you'll wait for the manor door to slowly swing open and allow you to witness the horrors within.
We entered a parlor area, where we sat on a couch and learned the history of the manor. The owner of the manor lost his daughter, Alice, and has tried everything to bring her back. From here on out, you really never know what you might see and experience. The sets are well-designed and detailed, the characters and props are creative, and the effects are astonishing. I really enjoyed the actors' costumes and roles. The boudoir scene was hilarious! Some of them play off of each other really well (Bubba and Butch, I'm talking about you!). I want to emphasize right now that this is a touch haunt. So it really adds a layer of intensity to an already pretty intense experience. There are jump scares, startling props, loud noises, blasts of air, shocks, water sprays, sparks, vibrations, and in between these, the characters will get up close and personal (sometimes with chainsaws!). Some of them are interactive, asking you questions. A couple had us laughing pretty hard once we recovered our composure. This place is so much fun because everything about it is unexpected. Be ready to be scared, get some adrenaline flowing, and come out laughing, whether you laugh out of relief or out of amusement at your friends, it's all fun!
We entered a parlor area, where we sat on a couch and learned the history of the manor. The owner of the manor lost his daughter, Alice, and has tried everything to bring her back. From here on out, you really never know what you might see and experience. The sets are well-designed and detailed, the characters and props are creative, and the effects are astonishing. I really enjoyed the actors' costumes and roles. The boudoir scene was hilarious! Some of them play off of each other really well (Bubba and Butch, I'm talking about you!). I want to emphasize right now that this is a touch haunt. So it really adds a layer of intensity to an already pretty intense experience. There are jump scares, startling props, loud noises, blasts of air, shocks, water sprays, sparks, vibrations, and in between these, the characters will get up close and personal (sometimes with chainsaws!). Some of them are interactive, asking you questions. A couple had us laughing pretty hard once we recovered our composure. This place is so much fun because everything about it is unexpected. Be ready to be scared, get some adrenaline flowing, and come out laughing, whether you laugh out of relief or out of amusement at your friends, it's all fun!
Emily - Necromancy, booty hallways, and a big, greasy sammich are a few things you’ll find this year at Malice Manor. There are so many impressionable moments (with so much creativity) that really make this haunt most memorable.
Due to city rules, Malice Manor is not able to extend their creativity outside, so it looks a little plain to start, but there are lights and a giant banner. You won’t miss it. Lots of parking. There are portable potties outside. Everything is indoors, including ticket booth and haunt lines. The line is even immersive, so you get all the haunting feelings before the jump into Lord Rancor’s manor.
This is a touch haunt, so they can and probably will push you around. One of our group was thrown against a wall in an old lady’s kitchen and then flogged by a dominatrix. I was belly bumped into oblivion before having my face and hair rubbed by a greasy Bubba. Which brings me to say that all these characters were well thought out and the actors bring them to life in a way that other places do not. My favorite character was in the boudoir, bringing people discomfort in a way that they didn’t expect from a haunt. A close second would be the lady of the manor and her room of dark magic. Her lair was full of candles, bones, dried herbs, runes, and other tools that make my magic heart happy. Oh, there was also that chainsaw fella, who can chop me down anytime.
It’s the little things that really set Malice Manor apart for me. Cool set things like crawling through the fireplace, falling shelves (that one got me), and the spinning fat man. My experience in that dark room was also shocking. Malice Manor has been one of my favorite haunts of the season. The team’s dedication and love for their art screams throughout. They have plans to evolve their baby even more and I cannot wait to experience it again.
Due to city rules, Malice Manor is not able to extend their creativity outside, so it looks a little plain to start, but there are lights and a giant banner. You won’t miss it. Lots of parking. There are portable potties outside. Everything is indoors, including ticket booth and haunt lines. The line is even immersive, so you get all the haunting feelings before the jump into Lord Rancor’s manor.
This is a touch haunt, so they can and probably will push you around. One of our group was thrown against a wall in an old lady’s kitchen and then flogged by a dominatrix. I was belly bumped into oblivion before having my face and hair rubbed by a greasy Bubba. Which brings me to say that all these characters were well thought out and the actors bring them to life in a way that other places do not. My favorite character was in the boudoir, bringing people discomfort in a way that they didn’t expect from a haunt. A close second would be the lady of the manor and her room of dark magic. Her lair was full of candles, bones, dried herbs, runes, and other tools that make my magic heart happy. Oh, there was also that chainsaw fella, who can chop me down anytime.
It’s the little things that really set Malice Manor apart for me. Cool set things like crawling through the fireplace, falling shelves (that one got me), and the spinning fat man. My experience in that dark room was also shocking. Malice Manor has been one of my favorite haunts of the season. The team’s dedication and love for their art screams throughout. They have plans to evolve their baby even more and I cannot wait to experience it again.
Questions? Have a story to share? Leave it in the comments!