Film to premiere in tandem with haunted house’s return for 22nd season
As October rounds the corner, so does the return of haunted house season! Top-rated in Illinois and nationwide, Realm of Terror will make its theatrical debut as the backdrop for upcoming horror film “Haunt Season”, created by local filmmaker Jake Jarvi for Epic Pictures Group– just in time for the return of its 22nd season providing premium scares.
Featuring a Local Haunted House in the Horror Genre
Originally from Lake Bluff and a current Gurnee resident, director and writer Jake Jarvi knew he wanted to reinvent the slasher genre with this piece by exploring the haunted house community from the perspective of the actors, rather than patrons.
- “Haunt Season” follows recent theater grad Matilda, who takes a scare acting job at a local Halloween attraction. As the film progresses, the actors learn there is a costumed killer in their midst, and Matilda and her coven of spooky new friends must band together to survive the night.
- With Realm of Terror serving as the setting, Jarvi described the set location as terrifying. “It doesn’t matter if the haunt is turned on or not, that space is specifically designed to unsettle you. We got an unbelievable amount of production value that the whole Realm of Terror team has spent more than 20 years perfecting. It looks absolutely incredible on screen,” added Jarvi.
Back for a 22nd Season
For haunt creator Steve Kristof, the film is a unique way to share the haunt with more people as they reopen to the community for their 22nd season this Fall. “Horror is an expansive genre with a cult following and Realm of Terror is a premier haunt destination in the area. We’re really excited for the opportunity to share our brand of scares with a larger audience through this film who may not know who we are yet,” said Kristof.
In addition to scary entertainment, Realm of Terror promises two new opportunities for Halloween enthusiasts looking for a tamer experience. “While we love being a leader in thrilling scares, we always want to accommodate the diversity of our patrons and what they’re looking for in a more subdued Halloween experience,” Kristof added.
- For guests looking for premium scares without character interaction, the all-new No Actor Night by Realm of Terror offers scary ambiance in a more controlled setting. On Sunday, October 20, guests will enjoy roaming Realm of Terror as a themed attraction without scare actors present in the venue.
- On Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27 from 2-5 PM, a family-friendly event will be available before regular scaring hours begin. Family Frights highlights a trick or treat walk featuring spooky characters appropriate for all ages and a sensory aware experience for patrons. This event will feature a spooky-not-scary walkthrough of the haunted house with limited audio and décor as well as family friendly activities.
Beyond to the main attraction, the venue offers a virtual queue line and interactive experiences for patrons to enjoy while they wait, including:
a gift shop,
haunt bar,
local food trucks,
themed carnival games; and
a mini escape room.
Haunt Season premieres on October 4 in Los Angeles for a limited theatrical release, available via video on-demand worldwide October 8.
Realm of Terror is open to the public on select dates from October 4 through November 2. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit realmofterror.com.