You know it’s Halloween time to in Hollywood when you find yourself standing in the California sun, waiting for Creative Director of Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights, John Murdy to arrive and give a tour of a new haunted house. As we wait for Murdy we are allowed to take pictures of the façade for, in this case, the new house based on the wildly popular Terrifier franchise.
Yes, Art the Clown is FINALLY a part of Halloween Horror Nights both in Hollywood and in Orlando where his special brand of extreme carnage will greet fans for a tour they are not soon to forget. Murdy arrives and greets our small group of media folk and there seems to be a slight problem. One of his set dressers, the guy in charge of blood to be exact, warns that the copious amounts of faux plasma that they have splattered the walls with might not be fully dry yet. After a quick check we are given the go-ahead and the tour begins.
Fair warning, this article contains images of extreme gore. You have been warned.
With three films out, and one more on the way, Murdy decided to create a sort of sizzle reel, so to speak, of Art’s most memorable kills. The location is the Terrifier funhouse featured in the second installment. While only a model was used in production for what ended up on screen, Universal Creative meticulously recreated the façade in full scale. Murdy jokes that after series creator Dameon Leone saw the entrance, he asked if he could have it when they were done using it.
The first room, of course features clowns and blood. Then more blood. A grinning figure lays on a table saw to our right, his head in mid split. The room is spattered in crimson while masks and other deadly tools are scattered about.
Then we get to the iconic kill from the first film. Still one of the most brutal scenes in the series…
Art will be standing here, sawing a victim in half from the top down.
After that messy mess, it’s time to clean up and we head into a room containing a kill from Terrifier 2, a scalped victim sits motionless as Art pours salt and bleach on the wounds. The room is lined with drums of corrosive bleach and the smell of bleach will fill the air.
Next up we meet up with The Little Pale Girl and her collection of dolls. As Art stands center stage, he is mutilating another victim, spraying passersby in “blood.”
Further along we take a bathroom break. More kills from the series are packed into the stalls and the acrid smell of poop will fill the air. We will be sending good vibes to the scare actors assigned to this area.
Look out! It’s a Poop Monster!
Finally we end with a trip to visit Santa in a recreation of the infamous mall scene from Terrifier 3. No word yet on whether or not we will be able to give Art Santa a wish list.
The mayhem will be fast and furious (see what I did there?) in the Terrifier maze. It seems that it will really capture what Murdy described as a sense of “glee” to the violence and carnage. When asked just how much blood the house uses compared to houses past, Murdy couldn’t offer a specific amount but just said “A LOT” of blood was used. It is easily their goriest house to date.
See you there!
Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights begins August 29 at Universal Orlando Resort and September 4 at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Tickets for Halloween Horror Nights at both Universal parks are now available. Multiple ticketing options are being offered for guests looking to experience the events this fall.
Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights
The event will take place on 48 select nights from August 29 through November 2, featuring 10 haunted houses, themed scare zones, live entertainment, and more. Single-night tickets, multiple Fear Pass options, and vacation packages that include event access are currently on sale. Upgrades such as Universal Express Passes, the R.I.P. Tour, Premium Scream Night (available only on August 28), and the Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour are also available. Guests can stay close to the action with special vacation packages that include hotel accommodations, daytime park admission, one-night admission to Halloween Horror Nights, and savings based on length of stay. Hotel guests also receive exclusive perks, including access to a dedicated event entrance and complimentary resort transportation. For more details on available ticket options and experiences, click here. To explore the full lineup of this year’s Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort, click here.
Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights
The event runs on select nights from September 4 through November 2. A range of ticket options is now available, including General Admission, Universal Express, After 2 P.M. Day/Night tickets, and the Early Access Ticket, which grants entry to select haunted houses starting at 5:30 p.m. (subject to change). Guests can also choose from premium experiences like the R.I.P. Tour, or return multiple times with the Frequent Fear Pass and Ultimate Fear Pass. Click here for tickets and full Terms and Conditions.
