Deranged Haunt Review (2024)

The cast of Deranged delivered some of the most engaging interactive dialogue we’ve encountered this Halloween season. Interactions were often prolonged, sometimes lasting several minutes, allowing the town’s residents to stay fully immersed in their roles. Their quick-witted, unique, and often hilarious responses added a layer of depth to the experience.

A significant portion of these interactions centered around the Covensfield election, with many cast members vocally supporting a specific candidate. If you dared to disagree, you would quickly witness their transformation into their “deranged” alter egos, with a noticeable shift in demeanor.

As we progressed through the latter part of the haunt, we encountered a diverse array of characters, and the dark secrets of the town gradually came to light. We barely escaped the sinister clowns at the town’s carnival, evaded the local sewage workers, participated in impromptu Pilates with the Camp Zika counselor, and even had a run-in with Sasquatch himself!

There were a few mistimed scares, including one from Mr. Sinister, who humorously yelled, “Shit, I missed you!” after we had already left the scene. We found this quite hilarious!

Notable highlights of the night included the janitor at the Starfall Mall, who was visibly upset with the mess we made during our shopping spree, and the pumpkin man at the end of the haunt, who posed no threat whatsoever – nothing to see there, move along.

While the cast did an incredible job of following us through some of the quieter sections, we would have liked to see a larger cast size, as certain scenes felt somewhat lacking in energy. A few additional bodies would help make the woods feel less desolate.

Be sure to show a little gratitude, or you may not make it out alive!

The costumes and makeup were simple and scene-appropriate. Everyone in the town was pale, with dark circles around their eyes. They all appeared to be suffering from a lack of sunshine. Some wore overalls, and others wore aprons as if they had just left the kitchen.

Upon entering the mall, we were greeted by the sight of the security guard. Clad in slacks, a button-up shirt, a security hat, and his unmistakably cool aviators, he exuded an air of readiness as if he was prepared to handle any situation that might arise in his domain. Honestly, though, we agreed that he looked a little sus.
Throughout the town, we encountered many characters dressed in dated and tattered clothing, including a man with a hard hat and a hazmat suit. Who knows what happened to him? He had some of the best makeup of the night, along with the man near the church. And we must remember the evil clown with his creepy mask.

There was a sudden and unexpected turn of events when we thought we had almost left the woods. Out of nowhere came the giant sasquatch running towards us! Yes, we were chased by an 8ft sasquatch, which was a surprise that left us breathless. This character completely sold their look!

We also had a run-in with a fisherman who appeared to have been hanging around his chum bucket a bit too long. But that was not the end. A man with a pumpkin head and chainsaw then chased us. The oversized pumpkin head was ominous, with dark holes as eyes. Was there a human in there?

Overall, we would have liked to see more detail in the makeup and additional distressing on some of the clothing.

Finding Deranged was a breeze! Our GPS led us straight to the haunt, easily spotted by its LED lights and spooky decor. There was plenty of free parking in a dimly lit grass lot – nothing like a little shadowy atmosphere to kick off your night of terror. A very friendly parking attendant directed us to a good spot. Tickets can be purchased at the front of the building or snagged online if you like to plan ahead.

Their website was highly informative, providing everything we needed for a seamless and spooky night out. As for the staff, they were exceptionally friendly and helpful, making sure we were fully prepared for our adventure.

The trail was generally well-lit, though there were some uneven spots, which is to be expected with an outdoor haunt. Just be sure to wear your running shoes – you’ll definitely need them!

If you survive the experience, Deranged merchandise awaits you back at the ticket booth.

If our experience in the town of Covensfield taught us anything, it’s to take nothing at face value. Outside the haunt, the neon glow of Starfall Mall, the town’s newest addition, seemed welcoming. However, as we ventured deeper into the haunt, we quickly uncovered the town’s dark, hidden secrets.

The storyline was truly unique. We’ve never encountered a haunt with this type of theme before, and although we were initially skeptical, it absolutely worked. Deranged even went so far as to print the details of the mayoral race on their ticket stubs, which we found to be a clever touch.

The first portion of the haunt stayed true to the theme, with most scenes dedicated to advancing the narrative. However, the later segments began to lose focus, and we found it challenging to grasp the intended vision or direction.

The facades of the buildings along the trail were impressively realistic and believable, arranged in a cohesive way as we navigated the course. However, some sections of the woods featured scenes running parallel to one another, allowing us to catch a glimpse of other groups of patrons, which occasionally broke the immersion.

The lighting effectively illuminated the scenes, ensuring we could always see what was happening without feeling any area was too dark. The audio was strategically used to convey subliminal messages, while music was implemented to heighten the atmosphere when necessary. Don’t even get us started on the smells!
Overall, we had a fantastic experience. While there were moments of dead space, these could easily be filled with a larger cast. Additionally, obstructing sightlines with fencing or other visual barriers would help maintain immersion. The finale left us wanting more as we were abruptly dumped back into the parking lot. A final touch, like a voting booth, would be a welcoming addition. You could even go as far as to post weekly poll updates for the mayoral race and post them online. This would open the door for patrons to engage with the haunt’s social media and increase traffic from new and returning customers.

Deranged showcases classic yet impressive special effects contributing to its unique and authentic atmosphere. As an actor-driven haunt, it emphasizes interactive experiences but also delivers some unexpected surprises. Timeless techniques like drop panels and loud banging noises are effectively used to create a sense of tension. While animatronics are not heavily featured, incorporating a few more could further enhance the experience.

Lighting appears to be one of the major focuses at Deranged; colorful spotlights and several scenes decorated with strand bulb lights created such a creepy illusion. Strobes and fog helped simulate the true terror of the unknown and really drove home the panic that set in. Cattle prods and arcing exposed wires shocked at us as we made our way to the sewer, pungent and rank with sewage and rotting waste.

One of Deranged’s greatest strengths lies in its use of scents, which adds an extra layer to its scenes. Whether pleasant or unpleasant, Deranged utilized crafted aromas that deeply enhance the atmosphere (we hear these are from Vile Root). From the stench of the sewers and sweaty locker rooms to the nostalgic fragrance of popcorn, cotton candy and Grandma’s house. The scenes are also meticulously constructed, down to the smallest detail, such as the melting popsicles at the ice cream stand, the incredibly “high” gas prices, and the functioning water fountain in Starfall Mall!

Though Deranged doesn’t depend on thematic elements or a soundtrack for all of its scenes, the natural sounds of the woods at night contribute to a haunting atmosphere. Deranged has established a unique setting with significant potential, offering a distinct and evolving haunted experience.

You may get touched here. As noted on their website, there could be a case where one of their demons finds you particularly interesting, and they may gently touch you, but not aggressively. We had several very close encounters with the town’s denizens.

Deranged Haunt brought the scares to us in several shocking and unexpected ways. We found ourselves screaming at an effective drop panel, shocking surprises, and even a hard hat flying out of the sewer at us. The double-mirror scare caught us off guard, and a stalker lurking in the shadows had us looking over our shoulders. Sometimes, the darkness did whisper back to us here! But, hands down, the best scare of the night was the towering sasquatch – talk about a beast! Gil was also a standout scarer as he made multiple attempts to scare our group the entire time we were in his area!

As we wandered through thick fog, eerie voices crept into our ears, making the sinister areas feel even more unsettling. One of those voices was downright scary – easily making it one of the creepiest we’ve ever heard (man in the church). Scares came from above, below, and from some seriously creative hiding spots hidden within the woodwork. They also utilized a great instance of disorientation that left our group hesitant to move forward because it messed with us so badly!

We did let a terrified group pass us along the trail, which threw off some of the scare timing in a few scenes afterward. In addition, we would love to see more scares between scenes when they’re least expected.

The haunt’s finale was a good ol’ chainsaw chase… but with a twist! This time, we were hunted down by a freshly carved jack-o-lantern wearer who seemed eager to carve us up once we made a run for it!

General admission prices for a twisted trek through Covensfield will cost you $23.00 online (before fees). Voting is free but may cost your soul. They also offer Fast Pass admission and an RIP AXEss bundle. Our journey took approximately 27 minutes, bringing the minutes of entertainment received per dollar spent to 1.17 – which is above average! When we first arrived, we did not expect a haunt of this length, and we were impressed!

During our visit, we did not see any additional entertainment before the haunt aside from some spooky decor. They do have a virtual queue, so we’re sure they will have more to offer during regular hours (we visited on media night). You can also choose to wait from the comfort of your own vehicle rather than standing in line! They also had some swag for purchase – their neon shirts were dope!

Deranged offers a variety of ticket options, including 18+ nights, themed nights, and Kids’ Scare-Free nights. It is also open for various off-season events.

We had a blast wandering through this eerie town, stumbling upon scenes we’d never experienced before, all tied together by a refreshingly unique storyline. If you’re into interactive haunted trails, add Deranged Haunt to your list! Since going pro, they’ve created a thrilling trail through the backwoods of Michigan that you won’t want to miss. And don’t forget to cast your vote – think long, think wrong. As for us? Conwell vs. Kalloway? We’re voting for the pumpkin!