Psychosis Haunted House

Elgin, IL
Reviewed on: Sunday, October 5, 2014

 

First, a huge congratulations to Psychosis for moving into their new home! Just rolling up to the building gave us a chill, as they are now located in what appears to be an abandoned two-story office complex. (And what a unique setting!)

What makes Psychosis really special is that it blends old-school haunting techniques with new-age technology. Take what they do best, and really develop it to quite honestly some of the best we have seen.

Let’s take for instance the opening. As we are allowed in through the doors, we find ourselves in on the streets of a town. We meet the mayor, town mortician, and even the town pet, “Pitbull.”

While have been actually waiting for our time to start the tour, the show had already begun. As the mayor campaigned for his re-election, “Pitbull” scurried about with dog-like actions. “Hennrietta,” the town mortician, just happens to have a trade-mark hump and tosses in a random Black Eyed Peas song lyrics every so often to spice things up. The banter and quick-witted comments of this team of four actors and actresses made for some great laughs, and the most memorable of the visit.

If the beginning of the trek through Psychosis wasn’t enough, their trademark mazes made another reincarnation. Whisking and weaving you in and out, your senses are left disorientated and the staff laughing as we guessed the correct escape path. This is always superbly accomplished, and this year was no different.

Psychosis took extra time this year to focus on developing their acting. As we ventured through the wax museum section of the attraction, we found ourselves face-to-face with the Phantom of the Opera. As he playfully asked us to sing a song together, we replied in the affirmative, instead of running. With little delay, he began belting out familiar tones from the Broadway musical that would make the cast of Glee (and Andrew Lloyd Weber) proud. It was definitely a first for us; bravissimo!

The Bottom Line: This isn’t your typical neighborhood haunted house. Expect the unexpected and get ready to be thrown into a whirlwind of haunting nostalgia that results in screams, smiles, and an incredible tour!

 

2014 Scores:
Entertainment:18 out of 20
Scare Factor & Fright: 7 out of 10
Acting: 8 out of 10
Sets & Room Detail: 8 out of 10
Costumes: 4 out of 5
Make Up: 4 out of 5
Sound: 4 out of 5
Lights: 4 out of 5
Props & Special Effects: 8 out of 10
Originality & Story Concept: 8 out of 10
Management & Owner Presentation: 5 out of 5
Website: 4 out of 5

Total: 82 points out of 100 points possible
– Official Haunted House Chicago Review Team Review