Darden Hollers Slaughterhouse in Lexington, Tennessee, is owned and run by two brothers who built the haunt around their own fears. That personal touch is clear in every scene – from the hospital and body-part rooms to the doll-and-stuffed-animal spaces – each area carefully crafted to unsettle and surprise. The cast brings energy and personality from the queue line to the final moments, with well-timed jumps, engaging dialogue, and memorable interactions like the vampire with her glass of blood or the hospital actor asking, “Want to play?”
Combined with clever set design and the natural tension of the wooded setting, the haunt delivers a unique, immersive experience that feels both chaotic and deliberate. For a haunt open just two years, Darden Hollers Slaughterhouse shows serious promise and a lot of heart, making it a must-see for fans of local, creatively designed scares.
The cast kicked things off strong with a fun and engaging queue line. They kept guests entertained with jokes, banter, and plenty of photo opportunities, including a group cast photo before even entering the haunt, which was a nice, personal touch. Sgt. Scary handled the rules with good energy, mixing in humor and authority as he called for a unified “Yes, sir!” before sending everyone inside. Once inside, there were a few standout moments. The actor in the hospital gown asked, “Want to play?” hit the right creepy tone, and the vampire sipping a glass of blood made for a memorable interaction – calm, confident, and unsettling in just the right way. The actor who jumped from the racks down to the floor also added a great burst of surprise, breaking the rhythm just when things felt predictable.
There were, however, a few spots where the dialogue leaned a bit too heavily on screaming, particularly the repeated “Get out!” screaming-type scares or just a solid scream. A constant scream can lose its punch after a while, so a little variation in delivery (or even eerie silence) would help the strong performances stand out even more. The cast clearly has the passion and energy; a touch more range could take it to the next level.
The costumes and makeup throughout the haunt matched the tone of each scene and helped keep the world feeling cohesive. Sgt. Scary’s army fatigues fit his role perfectly, grounding the intro in a believable, military-style authority. Inside, the creativity really started to shine – from the Jail Clown’s eerie mask to the nurse sporting a knife tucked into her, um… breasts, each look had its own personality without feeling overdone.
Some of the masks were especially memorable, including the white-haired character with the striking eyeball mask, the safety pin–mouth design, and the haunting teeth and teddy bear masks. Each one stood out under the haunt’s lighting and added layers of character beyond just “another scary face.”
Customer service was great from the moment we arrived. The team was friendly, organized, and clearly enjoyed what they were doing. It’s always a good sign when the staff’s enthusiasm sets the tone for the night.
The website had most of the important information listed and easy to find, though the opening time was a bit confusing at first glance. Our only other suggestion would be for clearer entrance visibility. The GPS brings you close, but once you’re nearby, the lack of lighting and signage makes it tricky to know exactly where to pull in, especially in the dark. A few more lights or a well-placed sign would go a long way toward making that first impression as polished as everything else once you’re inside.
The sets inside this haunt showed real creativity and care. The transition from area to area felt intentional, with details that helped each scene tell its own story. Hanging vines outside the army section immediately shifted the atmosphere, creating a sense of overgrowth and decay that carried into the next space.
Inside the hospital scene, scattered pill bottles and medical props made it feel like we had stumbled into a space once functional but long abandoned. The body-part room was especially effective, with hand saws, tools, and scattered limbs that made for a grim but believable workspace. The walls, cleverly constructed from pallets, were disguised with layers of fabric, paint, and splattered blood, proving that creativity can transform simple materials into something immersive.
Smaller moments also added to the story, like a closet filled with the clothes of lost souls, or a wall that you had to physically push through, only to find yourself looped back around. In the doll-and-stuffed-animal room, shredded teddy bears and doll parts covered the floor, giving the space a chaotic, unsettling energy.
The haunt’s effects leaned on simple but effective touches that fit the atmosphere. One standout moment came when a black light suddenly flicked on, transforming a dark, empty space into a full, glowing scene, a great use of timing and contrast to surprise guests. The uneven pallet floor added a tactile layer to the experience, keeping everyone on edge as they tried to steady themselves while moving forward.
Sound was used minimally, with the deep, looping voice tied to the seven deadly sins providing the main auditory cue. While this fit the tone, a touch more ambient sound or background music could elevate the experience even further; subtle creaks, whispers, or distant echoes would add dimension without taking away from the low-tech charm. Even a bit of atmosphere between scenes could help build tension and keep guests immersed from start to finish.
21. How scary was it? (35% of score): 7
22. How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? (15% of score): 8
23. How predictable were the scares? (25% of score): 8
24. How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? (10% of score): 8
25. How strong was the ending / finale? (15% of score): 8
The scare factor at this haunt delivered a solid mix of moments that hit hard and others that could build a little more intensity, but when it worked, it really worked. The cast deserves major credit for keeping the energy high and staying fully engaged with every group. Their commitment carried several scenes from simple setups to genuine startles.
The setting itself adds an extra layer of tension, being surrounded by woods and relying on the natural darkness makes each sound and shadow feel like part of the show. For a haunt that’s only been open two years, it’s already packing in some serious scares and proving it knows how to make the most of its environment. With a little fine-tuning and consistency, this one has the potential to become a real standout on the local haunt scene.
Admission was $25, and our time inside the haunt clocked in at just 13 minutes. While the experience is packed with solid scares and immersive scenes, that runtime puts the minutes-per-dollar below the average.
The queue area did a good job keeping guests entertained, with music and a movie playing while we waited. We were also told that on most nights, there’s a food truck on site, which adds a nice pre- or post-haunt option.
Still, at the current price, a slightly longer walk-through or additional interactive moments would make the value feel fully aligned with the cost. The haunt itself shows a lot of promise, and a little extra runtime would elevate it even further.
22361 Highway 412 East, Darden, Tennessee 38328