Global Studios’ ‘Terrifier‘ Haunted House delivers Gruesome Experience for Horror Nights
ORLANDO, FL – Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) 2023 featured a highly detailed and terrifying haunted house based on the Terrifier film franchise, lauded for its faithful recreation of the films’ most iconic and gruesome scenes. Both the Orlando and Hollywood versions of the house have been praised for their immersive environments and commitment to the source material’s violent aesthetic.
The haunted house aims to capture the world as envisioned by Terrifier creator damien Leone, going beyond simply recreating kills to build an environment entirely shaped by Art the Clown‘s twisted perspective. “What excited John and I and our teams was not onyl paying off everything in the films but also creating a world that is completely Art’s creation,” said Mike Aiello, senior director of Universal Orlando Resort Entertainment.
Highlights include a recreation of the Clown Cafe dream sequence in the Orlando house, featuring a jump scare with the character of dream Sienna presenting a plated heart, and a Christmas mall Santa scene in the Hollywood house, complete with water spray to simulate Art’s signature bloody attacks.
According to HHN Creative Director John Murdy, the design intentionally creates a sense of unease, “We wanted to plant this seed in our guest’s mind that wherever they go in this house, there’s a good possibility that they’re going to be sprayed with blood.” The house also includes Easter eggs referencing other infamous kills from the Terrifier films, such as the Halloween scalping and the bathroom scene.
Leone himself expressed his satisfaction with the houses, stating, “Now truthfully, the attention to detail in this house is just incredible…Brilliant. It really is. You guys knocked it out of the park.” The success of the Terrifier house is attributed to the collaborative effort of the Universal team and David Howard Thornton’s portrayal of Art the Clown, which has become iconic within the horror community.
