News

Extreme Haunts: Why (Some of Us) Want to Live in Fear

Published

7 years ago

March 25, 2017

Do you love horror movies? I mean really love horror movies? Would you want to experience that level of fear in real life? Participants of Extreme Haunts – such as McKamey Manor, Gates of Hell and BLACKOUT – submit themselves to all kinds of terror and torture to do just that.

They are – of course – controlled environments, however, participants don’t have any indication of what exactly they’re in for. The McKamey Manor haunt, for example, can last up to 7 hours, and they typically only allow a small number of carefully selected patrons per weekend. Think of it as less of a haunted house and more of a horror marathon.

Described by many as “the most terrifying experience on Earth”, participants could be tied up, gagged, force-fed rotten eggs and other nasty things, covered in blood and other questionable substances, and shoved into caskets or freezers for long periods of time. They don’t use a safe word, so you’re locked in until the whole ordeal is over. No amount of begging or screaming will get you out.

But why, you may ask, would someone sign up for that on their own volition? Well believe it or not, there are actually around 24,000 people on that particular waiting list.

via Pinterest

A tense and terrifying scene from a horror movie may trigger our “agent detection mechanism” – a nifty little evolutionary trait that maintains constant vigilance in uncertain situations. It’s that cringe of dread that makes us stay alert and aware of any danger. Once the muscle-tightening, breath-holding and heart-pounding subside, you feel an intense wave of relief. Our body triggers a release of adrenaline, endorphins, and dopamine that ends up feeling pretty damn good.

For some, the fight-or-flight trigger that they used to get from horror movies just isn’t there anymore. They’ve trained themselves to know that what they’re seeing isn’t real. Perhaps, in this training, there arises the desire to test their mettle in similar situations. To go up against a Jason or a Leatherface and come out victorious. To truly “live out your own horror movie”. These haunts can be a safe way to test out your psychological survival skills without any real danger.

Part of what makes extreme haunts so successful is that they create a safe space that doesn’t always feel safe. BLACKOUT creator Josh Randall explains that they typically receive a better response when it’s something that feels real. Being kidnapped or tortured, for example.

When participants are placed in a maze with costumed zombies or vampires chasing them, it’s a fun thrill. But it doesn’t feel like a real threat. Having a stranger tie you up, physically attack you and scream in your face elicits a much more visceral response. I should note that BLACKOUT participants are required to go through the haunt alone.

via The Raven & Black Cat

Extreme haunts allow the participants to project their own fears into the situation. If you happen to have a fear of drowning, being forced underwater will be particularly effective in scaring you senseless. They prey on these fears – using elements like claustrophobia, psychosexuality, violence, and complete darkness – to break you down and leave you shaking.

One of the many differences between your run-of-the-mill haunted house and an extreme haunt is the complete lack of control over your experience. If you’re being herded through a haunt like cattle, you can clearly see the actor in a rubber mask jumping out mechanically after every 4 or 5 people.

When you’re forced to go through an extreme haunt alone, you don’t know what to expect or when to expect it. You must completely submit yourself to the experience, knowing the reputation of how intense the experience should be. Your fight-or-flight response is on constant overdrive. You’re exhausted into a state of pure terror.

Participants may take part in an extreme haunt to feel like they’ve accomplished or survived something extraordinarily difficult – which, by all accounts, they have. The haunts are described as controlled and safe, but they may not feel that way. The struggle is real. The terror is real. McKamey Manor, in particular, has come under criticism with conservative online groups targeting the attraction’s extreme methods.

Some people may relish the idea of submitting themselves to this level of torture at the hands of total strangers. Others – if faced with the same situation – would go straight for throat-punches with a resounding “NO THANK YOU!”. So what do you think? Would you be up for one of these extreme haunts, and if so, why? Check out our video below and tell us if you’re on board.

Feature image and video clip courtesy of Chris Fischer

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Jake Gyllenhaal’s Thriller ‘Presumed Innocent’ Series Gets Early Release Date

Published

6 mins ago

April 26, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Jake Gyllenhaal’s limited series Presumed Innocent is dropping on AppleTV+ on June 12 instead of June 14 as originally planned. The star, whose Road House reboot has brought mixed reviews on Amazon Prime, is embracing the small screen for the first time since his appearance on Homicide: Life on the Street in 1994.

Jake Gyllenhaal’s in ‘Presumed Innocent’

Presumed Innocent is being produced by David E. Kelley, J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot, and Warner Bros. It is an adaptation of Scott Turow’s 1990 film in which Harrison Ford plays a lawyer doing double duty as an investigator looking for the murderer of his colleague.

These types of sexy thrillers were popular in the ’90s and usually contained twist endings. Here’s the trailer for the original:

According to Deadline, Presumed Innocent doesn’t stray far from the source material: “…the Presumed Innocent series will explore obsession, sex, politics and the power and limits of love as the accused fights to hold his family and marriage together.”

Up next for Gyllenhaal is the Guy Ritchie action movie titled In the Grey scheduled for release in January 2025.

Presumed Innocent is an eight-episode limited series set to stream on AppleTV+ starting June 12.

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Movies

Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

Published

19 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

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News

Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

Published

20 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

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Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.