There’s something special about a haunt that has settled into a space for years, changing and improving each season while preserving its most effective elements, and that’s exactly what visitors to HellScream can expect. This season, Hellscream has put together an outstanding, exciting, and exhilarating show with some of the best makeup, most intense interaction, and uniquely-structured sets in the entire state. This is really saying a lot given that its sister attraction, The Fear Complex, another frightful haunt, is but 10 minutes away. The best news is that haunt fans can (and should!) visit both haunts with the purchase of a combo pass, making each scream per dollar more advantageous.
The cast at HellScream really, really enjoy what they do, and what they do is completely terrorize guests with nonstop scares! Beginning with the queue line cast, which includes a couple of familiar faces who have become synonymous with the haunt. That cast torments guests in line with morbid humor, threats, thievery (the phone was returned after the actor snapped a few fun selfies), and a variety of large, steel implements, giving guests a taste of what’s inside. Make sure to pay attention inside, too, as you’re likely to encounter some of those same fiends as you make your way through the attraction. Truly, that dedicated team does a tremendous job and really rounds out the heart of the crew.
The cast inside of the haunt also brings its best, with miscreants striking fear from all angles and with all sorts of approaches. Some silently pounced upon us as soon as we entered before withdrawing to the shadows, others screamed violently in our faces; some prowled acrobatically, others contorted into monstrous forms; some spoke with soft, sweet voices, others bellowed and snarled loudly. We were treated to the full gamut of interactions. One actor dined from the porcelain in her jail cell opting for a comedic approach, while others took a more active, more menacing tact, even if still dripping with dark sarcasm and gallows humor. Other than the actors that followed us through, whose ubiquity itself was the entire point, the cast all appeared appropriate for the areas they occupied. The cast at HellScream is exquisite in its ferocity!
How complete, unique, detailed were the costumes, accessories? – (35% of score)
Were the masks, makeup creative, detailed, realistic? – (30% of score)
How appropriate were the costumes for the respective scenes, themes? – (20% of score)
How believable-, detailed-looking were the queue actors? (See Note if N/A) – (15% of score)
The costuming at HellScream was all done well, with characters ranging from victorian garb in Van Helton Manor to the ball gowns in the ballroom. Although the darkness occulted our vision such that it was difficult to make out a lot of the detail in the costumes throughout much of the haunt, that detail was present when it could be seen. For instance, one actor near the end, though donning simple worn and torn work clothes, was one of the most realistic characters we’ve encountered. The uncomplicated look was chilling in that narrow tunnel, complete with whited-out contacts and freshly-splattered blood, combined with the actor’s malignant movements and undead groan. The queue actors, of course, were also well-adorned and ready for the brighter lights outside of the haunt.
How easy was it to locate, park at, navigate the premises? – (25% of score)
Safety (Only dock points for TRULY DANGEROUS hazards!) – (30% of score)
How professional, helpful, friendly were the staff members? – (25% of score)
How easy was it to find pertinent information before arrival? – (20% of score)
HellScream has haunted the same location for years, so the location is well-known and easy to find, just off of Fillmore and Hancock in Colorado Springs. Any map app will get you there with ease. In addition, all of the pertinent info one could want is readily available on the haunt’s website, including the storyline of the haunt, which is worth the time to read as it ties things together well. Despite all appearances to the contrary, HellScream didn’t pose any actual safety concerns, though one savage did actively wish for us to break all of our bones while descending the stairs. The non-haunt crew at HellScream was also extremely friendly, helpful and clearly having fun, all hallmarks of folks providing the great customer service they do at HellScream.
How well did the pre-haunt areas ("vibe") prepare you for the attraction/s? – (25% of score)
How obvious, creative, believable was the storyline? (See Note if N/A) – (20% of score)
Were you completely, consistently immersed inside the attraction/s? – (40% of score)
How well did the "vibe" flow after, between the attraction/s? – (15% of score)
Although the haunt takes advantage of every square inch it can, there’s only so much space the HellScream team can utilize to build the haunt vibe as guests wait to enter, and even less space they can use to keep that vibe flowing after. Nevertheless, they’ve done a spectacular job. After passing by the box office, guests enter the queue line, which features the awesome actors mentioned above, as well as a big screen that, the night of our visit, was playing old episodes of Treehouse of Horrors intermixed with the haunt’s rules.
The storyline of the haunt is one of the more interesting and complicated tales we’ve come across, building mystique and intrigue in its rendition of Dr. Von Helton and his manor. However, the story would benefit from some editing to more closely match the cast/creature changes that have happened in the bowels of HellScream since it was originally written. Nevertheless, the story truly does provide a cohesive thread throughout the haunt.
Turning to the haunt itself, the immersion didn’t ebb from the moment we entered until the air turned cooler, and that was only because we recognized that the haunt was, sadly, reaching its end. Between the tremendously designed scenes, the high-energy cast that filled the place, and the attention to detail in everything from floor to ceiling and from head to toe, there was scarcely a moment to catch our breath and steel ourselves for the scare that was but a few steps away. Although we’ve been lucky enough to experience the attraction in years past, the show they put on this season proves that the HellScream team is at the top of their game!
How effective were the sound effects? – (20% of score)
How realistic were the scene designs, details? – (30% of score)
How effective, realistic were the props, animatronics? – (30% of score)
How well did they use creative, special, sensory effects? – (20% of score)
Given that HellScream has taken advantage of the years it has been in the same location to settle into the space, each scene is beautifully designed, with an incredible amount of detail paid to every inch of space. Given that vintage patina, it was pleasantly surprising to encounter a scene we hadn’t yet seen, which is composed of a moment frozen in time. Manikins posed in place while actors milled about, fleshing out the scene with an unseemly malaise. HellScream features some incredible special effects, including a menagerie of animatronics both large and small. Although there were a number of mechanized monsters who seemed to have seen better days, the electronic anathema largely worked well to either scare us themselves or run interference for the live actor to work magic. Overall, HellScream did a tremendous job of using a variety of effects, which combined seamlessly with the outstanding cast and unbelievable attention to detail to bring the haunt to the next level!
How scary was it? – (35% of score)
How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? – (15% of score)
How predictable were the scares? – (25% of score)
How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? – (10% of score)
How strong was the ending / finale? – (15% of score)
One of our team members, who herself has been to numerous haunts throughout the state, will likely be scarred for life after the finale at HellScream! The masterful finale breathes a second life into a well-worn trope with the cast’s dedication and execution. As for the rest of the haunt, the fear was in no short supply given the painstaking love and attention given to every element of the attraction. The cast did a great job targeting everyone in our group, and the scares, whether organic or electronic, burst from every conceivable angle in unexpected ways, keeping the tension (and our collective blood pressure) very high throughout the haunt. All said, HellScream is the scariest haunt we’ve visited this season so far, and perhaps all year!
How satisfied with the entertainment provided by the MAIN attraction/s? – (50% of score)
How satisfied with OTHER entertainment INCLUDED with the ticket price? – (25% of score)
How appropriate is/are the ticket price/s? – (25% of score)
Haunt fans looking for a tremendous value need look no further. Starting at $24 for approximately 20 minutes of a haunt is a great value, especially when factoring in the expertly designed and highly intense show that really ups the ante. The deal gets even better when considering the combo ticket, valid for entry to both HellScream and its sister attraction, The Fear Complex, just 10 minutes away. That combo ticket makes it a measly $22 for each haunt. At those rates, you won’t miss a scare!
3021 N Hancock Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907