Delusion Review (2025)

“Abandon all hope, ye who enter here,” croaked a gravelly voice from the stairwell. It heralded the slow, graceful descent of a veiled white figure – and set the tone for our journey to the depths of Hell itself. Our path was covered well; even the darkened elevators we rode, delivering us to our damnation, had otherworldly creatures lurking within them. Along the way, we met many who had followed the Pagan’s Path and were corrupted or driven insane. A wild-eyed, bloodied, disheveled man snatched our poor cameraman from the group and offered him to a group of cultists clad in white (and became quite upset when we eventually returned to retrieve him). Mysterious figures in bedazzled silver masks and shiny red cloaks often served as our guides between scenes. Upon witnessing a nun who’d hung herself, her anguished cohort wailed “You did this!” accusingly at us, as though convinced we were already tainted by the hand of evil. She later returned with a pitchfork and seemed hell-bent on exacting revenge!

Trust was hard to maintain around the cast, as their characters could- and frequently did- turn dark at a moment’s notice. Not everyone we met was still (or ever) human, either… trying to progress through a foggy green swamp had an enormous spiderlike monster (!) coming after us. We narrowly escaped the imposing Medusa in her lair, and later in our journey, we boarded a boat to escape the lost souls clawing at us from murky waters… with a skeletal reaper at its helm.

The passion displayed by the cast was powerful, and it felt like the majority of them did their best to immerse us in the world Delusion had created. There wasn’t much dead space either; at nearly every point- including the elevators we rode on- at least one actor guided, interacted with, or attempted to scare us. With that said, some scenes would’ve benefited from a few more.

​​Delusion was definitely a visual spectacle, and the effort put into the costuming was outstanding. The looks were complete and utterly memorable, from the menacing red-robed cult members to major figures like the devil, the priest, and the grim reaper. We also saw some fantastic details like the nuns with blood-splattered robes, which just adds that extra layer of horror.

​The makeup and creative work here are on another level entirely. Spoiler Alert: You have to be prepared when Medusa appears because she looks so real; the performance and the makeup make her appear unbelievably life-like, complete with a convincing slithering motion and the snakes on her head crawling about. The cult members’ masks were made of mirrors, which is such a unique touch and highly memorable. We also noticed the effective detail of the nuns with blood flowing from their eyes. Truly, the costumes were perfectly appropriate for the respective scenes and themes throughout the entire show.

Finding the building was easy, but parking can be a bit tricky. We lucked out with a $20 spot directly across the street, but their website recommends using the LATTC/Ortho Institute Station, which is less than a 10-minute walk from the venue. Rideshare or public transportation is definitely encouraged here.

The staff, bartenders, and guides were all welcoming, helpful, and super nice. The attraction itself was easy to navigate. Though there are some stairs inside, so watch your footing when things get dark or chaotic.

Their website is also impressive, offering tons of helpful info, an updated experience trailer, and answers to most top questions you might have before visiting.

Upon entering, we immediately sensed a cult-like atmosphere reminiscent of a vampire lair. The patrons wore mirrored masks, while demons hung overhead. Ominous music reverberated through the air.

We were directed downstairs to initiate our journey, where Lucifer appeared before us. Voices echoed from the depths of hell. We were instructed not to speak unless spoken to. Each subsequent scene fully immersed us, making it feel eerily real. We found ourselves hiding, crawling, and fleeing for our lives, avoiding Medusa’s petrifying gaze. Narrowly escaping the river crossing, we finally emerged from the depths of hell.

The experience concluded in the main area, where we could purchase drinks and merchandise. It was undoubtedly a heart-pounding and very immersive experience!

The Special Effects at Delusion are a complete theatrical spectacle. The sound effects were phenomenal, making you feel like you had been transported into another dimension entirely.

​The scene designs were flawlessly detailed and executed, looking professionally designed from top to bottom. Highlights included the intricately crafted church, the famous Medusa scene, and the final terrifying journey into the Bowels of Hell. There was an unfortunate moment or two where we could see the “man behind the curtain,” so to speak – noticing things like electronics and PA speakers – but it was easily overshadowed by the sheer quality of the show.

​The level of realism achieved with the props and animatronics was unbelievable. While Medusa was played by a human, she was equipped with animatronics to create her slithering, life-like appearance. We also saw great static props, like dead nuns hung from the ceilings and skeletons and dead bodies in various places. The inclusion of the rope prop was definitely realistic, seeing as we had to swing from one platform to the next on it!

​The use of creative, special, and sensory effects was constant and breathtaking. We were in awe when the floor ripped open beneath our feet and loved the chilling atmosphere created by the shadows cast by human characters. The lighting used throughout was visually stunning, creating a spectacle that must be seen to be believed, including a room we entered that appeared to be burning. The experience is fully sensory; the spider demon in the swamp feels so real that you want to get through it as fast as possible, and certain scenes utilize a lot of fog. The final scene has a great effect at the very end that is too good to give away; you just have to get to Delusion before it’s too late!

From the moment you walk into Delusion, you can feel the uneasiness take hold. Even while you’re waiting in the lounge, a demon hangs above you, and cult members silently peer down from the balcony. It’s clear you’ve already entered another world. This year’s story, The Harrowing of Hell, pulls you deep into the Pagan’s Path, a supernatural cult that’s taken Dante’s Inferno way too literally.

Once the devil greets you at the bottom of the stairs, you know you’re in for a dark ride. Without spoiling too much, expect moments that will test your nerves, from an elevator descent into hell to eerie rituals and some seriously creepy encounters that blur the line between theater and nightmare. There’s nowhere to hide when the possessed come looking for you, and the deeper you go, the heavier the atmosphere feels.

Delusion’s “moving play” concept makes every step feel personal. You’re not just watching the story unfold; you’re living it. The further you travel down the Pagan’s Path, the more you begin to question what’s real and what isn’t. From shadowy figures to creatures lurking in the dark, there’s a constant sense of dread that sticks with you long after it’s over.

The Harrowing of Hell isn’t just scary. It’s haunting. It crawls under your skin and stays there. The fear doesn’t end when you leave; it follows you home.

Our journey through Delusion: The Harrowing of Hell lasted about 32.5 minutes, which brings it to roughly a 0.29 MPD (minutes of entertainment received per dollar spent), one of the lowest we’ve seen if you’re going strictly by runtime, as the average for a standard haunt is about one minute per dollar. But this wasn’t your typical haunted attraction; this was something entirely different. While the price point may feel steep, the experience itself leaned more toward interactive theatre than a standard walkthrough haunt. Adding just a bit more time to the experience could make it feel even more substantial, but what we did get was incredibly polished and truly one-of-a-kind!

Delusion uses dynamic pricing, so ticket costs can fluctuate depending on the date and time you book. General admission during our visit on a Sunday night ran $112.99 online, with a VIP upgrade available for an additional $41, which includes a behind-the-scenes tour. Pro tip: Buy early to save a few bucks!

While waiting for our turn, we relaxed to soft background music in a lounge-style setting with seating available. Though there wasn’t additional entertainment beyond that, guests could grab a drink from the bar or a quick snack before stepping into the madness.

In the words of Dante himself, “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.”