One of our area’s latest attractions has intrigued us with how they opened as a professional location. A few short years ago, a local family won ABC’s TV show Great Halloween Fright Night. The overview description on the show states: Families compete for a $50,000 prize by transforming their homes with elaborate Halloween displays and over-the-top designs.
This was not a one-and-done victory, as it was the birth of 5 Points Haunted House in West Chicago. Currently in their 2nd season, this attraction has creative scares, detailed scenes, and larger-than-life animatronics that tower over all guests who make their way through. We have plenty to talk about!
Both the outdoor queue and inside the house were light on actors, but were still able to make the house seem full. The house did have some dead space, but roaming actors from previous scenes and some of the actors from the queue helped. The actors were incredibly convincing. They were all very into their characters and relied on startle, distraction, and dialogue scares. They also utilized body space and room space to make them more convincing. Some of the actors created such a creepy presence that even in silence, they were able to get scares out of guests.
The actors were very interactive. The queue actors were great at interaction, the actor in the bunny hood and cloak had a poem written on it that was only completely readable when they raised their arms. The other actor appeared to be a science experiment gone wrong, did not speak much, but was still able to interact and create tension. The actors in the house had a lot of interaction. The level of interaction is high because of the amount of dialogue and dedication to their scenes.
The church scene was very interactive. The priest made a compelling sermon with the help of his contortionist nuns, beckoning you to join them. The possessed girl in the bedroom exhibited so much fear and confusion that you really felt like you were feeling it with her. The scientist in the lab was darting all over the lab, showing you his experiments and inviting you to be one. Almost every scene made you feel as if you were walking the path to join this religious cult.
The house was dialogue-heavy. The priest gave an impressive sermon. Before we even go into his room, we could hear him shouting in what sounded like Latin or some unknown language as he literally levitated, never stopping and keeping eye contact as you went through the room. The steer head and pig-headed men were very good with snarls, snorts, and rambling while they swung their weapons. The possessed girl in the bedroom had an intense visceral reaction to us when we walked in, demanding to know what we were afraid of as she broke down in fear. The scientist was another actor who was able to utilize his scene to match his dialogue. He was keen to show us his experiments and wildly explain them.
Overall, the actors were able to utilize dialogue in numerous ways. The house had a great variety of characters that really fit the theme of the house. They had a priest, nuns, cultists, an array of victims and cultists gone wrong, and various other cultlike figures.
Being their second year in a professional operation, this haunt seems to be going in the right direction with their use of highly detailed makeup and well-done costumes. While there were a few well-done costumes, there were some that were meant to accommodate “regular” roles. The nuns were obviously in their well-tailored habits, nothing out of the ordinary, until you see their demonic makeup. A young girl in distress wears a nightgown, which is simple but very creepy. Another *shudders* simple look was the all-white cloth textured faceless morph suit…. with patches of long black hair attached to different parts of the body. No gore, but it was disgusting.
Shout out to the actor in the moon-shaped mask. Perfect use of the moonlight to lead us to the basement.
In the lab scene downstairs, we saw that a disturbing science experiment had gone wrong. A human fish hybrid showed us how distressing the experience was to them. The idea that we had to stop to see if it was a mask or well-applied latex pieces is an indication of a well-done look.
Outside in the queue line, we had two actors entertaining the crowd. One actor wore a flowy white robe with a poem written all over it. The white rabbit mask matched perfectly with the added upside-down cross on the forehead. We can’t wait to see them evolve in the next years!
5 Point is easy to find, as it is in an enormous, historic 100-year-old barn. There are a ton of Halloween props, statues, a giant inflatable pumpkin on the roof, and lots of signage directing you to the parking lot and haunt. Parking is free and very available. It is easy to navigate as it is visible from the road and the entrance. A table with staff members is stationed directly in front to guide you towards parking and direct you to where the line begins.
There are staff members at the very front of the attraction to guide you in. There are also security guards and outside actors able to access any potential issues. Staff and security are readily available to point you in the right direction or answer any questions. They are easy to identify due to their radios and 5 Points gear. An actor gives basic rules and lets you know the standard “don’t touch the monsters, the monsters will not touch you”. Inside the haunt, it is well-lit, and it is easy to navigate through. There are no clear emergency exit signs. Hallways are wide enough for the guests and staff to move around.
The staff is extremely helpful and professional. The moment you drive up till you leave, you’ll see plenty of staff members who will direct you to parking, ticket sales, and what will happen while you wait outside. 5 Points has a large internet presence. They are on various social media platforms and have sponsored ads. Although they are only in their second year of operation, they have generated a lot of buzz, so word of mouth has traveled quickly. The website is super informative and has a detailed history of the barn itself. Plenty of information to take in!
After getting out of the car, the actors can be seen walking around and interacting with customers. The ticket booth was not only helpful, but they also sold soft drinks and our favorite energy drink, Frankenfuel! This always helps us pump up before facing the wrath of what hides in the barn. This barn is multifloored, with the walkthrough starting at the bottom of the silo. The stairs slowly make you forget about the outside world as you ascend towards the top of the stairs and into their world.
Upstairs, there were a few rooms where we felt congested, but most of the rooms felt huge, which successfully achieved immersion. Oversized animatronics that elongate as you walk by create a sense of feeling small and inferior, such as the Colossus and the winged demon that is mentioned in the Special FX section below.
We did notice a few instances where there were dead zones of sound. While we normally experience ambient sounds that drown everything, this helped with scene transitions and being able to hear in some of the less intense scenes. A notable scene we loved was a long, empty hallway with a phone at the other end. To any of our younger readers, this is a phone attached to the wall and not cordless. This is a bit nerve-wracking when it’s the only sound you hear.
The gift shop is a bit relieved after the scares. Branded shirts are available to purchase along with stickers and some cute handbags and other knick-knacks. Outside is a Mexican taco truck, selling some delicious tacos and loaded nachos, and fries! While it wasn’t cold the day we arrived, a fire pit surrounded by seating is a great way to keep warm and hang out afterward.
With what we experienced on our visit, we can’t wait to see what the next years bring to this already immersive haunt!
5 Points implemented many ideas in fantastic ways for their special effects. The opening scene is a sort of garden/front yard. Using effects for what we would typically see as a “swamp” area (heavy smoke/laser), 5 points created their scene as though we had walked onto someone’s front yard. It was a fun twist on a standard haunt effect. Right in the middle of these scenes, we stumbled upon the first giant of this attraction behemoth, known as Colossus, which towers over guests when it stands up. This prop stands at 11 feet tall and feels menacing to say the least.
Further into the attraction, we find ourselves visiting a church. Not only are the actors amazing in this portion, but we also witness a great levitating effect performed by the priest while preaching sermons. The next scene is another great effect and the attraction’s largest, amazing giant prop. This demon we walk by not only feels much taller than the 11-foot Colossus, but the wings extend from wall to wall and bump into hanging upside-down crosses dangled only by rope. We were told this titan was the first item placed in this barn, and the rest of the attraction was built around it. It almost feels like the team at 5 Points needs to remove the barn ceiling if it were any taller.
Giants seem to be a recurring factor throughout the attraction, as one of our favorite scenes, as we progressed, seems to use another large prop. We found ourselves in a long hallway and a telephone ringing at the far end of it. As far as we could tell, the hall was a dead end as we approached the phone, a drop panel scared us good, and the opposite wall opens for a good effect. We found ourselves facing a bed and an actor on it, a giant skeleton hand came up from the other end and tried to snatch the actor away.
The outdoors portion of the attraction gives a backcountry vibe and hides its chainsaw actors well, while we tried to make our way through. What seems like the end of the attraction is quickly determined to be false as a green glowing light comes from the basement portion… the only obvious direction to proceed to. The basement has plenty of detailed scenes to go over as well.
The lab inside the basement is well done with great details and another great prop. This creature seems to be restrained but is attempting to break free. This scene is great as it is also paired with a great fog blast. Further in the kitchen scene is also well done. The team here used a ton of stuff that was left on-site in the building, so it feels authentic with proper ovens and chef tables. Personally, one of my favorite scenes is the tribute to Halloween’s past, which feels like a quick walk-through of an autumn night. Vintage Halloween is oozing at this scene.
Did we mention this is all at a second-season attraction?!?
21. How scary was it? (35% of score): 8.8
22. How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? (15% of score): 8.75
23. How predictable were the scares? (25% of score): 8.85
24. How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? (10% of score): 8.7
25. How strong was the ending / finale? (15% of score): 8.65
The attraction itself is 100 years old and has a long history. The theme of the house is frightening enough, but the actors, makeup, and costumes truly make it terrifying. The set design, animatronics, and attention to detail add to the scare factor. The actors were able to hit the group at all angles. The setup for startle and distraction scares was used heavily, with the assistance of dialogue, to get multiple people in the group at different times.
The actors were able to utilize their scenes, space, body movement, startle, distraction, pop scares, and dialogue. Although some of the scares were predictable, they were still effective. There is a scare with a drop box that was so intense it will literally make you cower and hit the wall. Dialogue with certain characters and silence from others amped up the scares.
The finale of the house is very tense as you run through the back of the barn being chased by weapon-wielding animal had wearing cultists. As you exit, you can catch your breath and make way to a food truck, fire pit, and fun. But be careful, some of the cultists who chased you out can watch you and bring you back in.
Our walk-through time at 5 Points came at the 15-minute mark. With general admission starting at $25, this gives the Minute Per Dollar value of 0.60. This is a solid number, considering this is the jumping-off point for this attraction, which is only in its second season.
We are excited to see what this team brings in the upcoming years, as they are making a name for themselves early on in their professional haunting career. Between the great scenes, well-trained actors, and amazing props, 5 Points is surely an attraction to watch out for!
241 W Roosevelt Rd, West Chicago, Illinois 60185
