The Sith have taken the Mill… and they can smell your fear.
Team Uncovering Poe answered a mysterious transmission from Lincoln Mill, and what we found was far more terrifying than anything we could have imagined. The Sith have arrived…and they’ve claimed the Mill.
In Darkness Rises, the line between horror and sci-fi blurred into something new and deeply unsettling. The once familiar halls of Lincoln Mill had been corrupted by the Dark Side, and the Sith weren’t just after your screams…they were hunting Jedi.
As our group made our way through the Mill, cloaked figures emerged from the shadows. They could smell a Jedi and they wanted to know who it was. Whether they were sensing the Force, or just feeding off our fear, it felt personal. The tension built with every turn, like they were zeroing in on us, one by one.
If there’s one thing Lincoln Mill did not lack during the Darkness Rises event, it was an energetic and fully committed cast. Off-season events can often be challenging to fully staff, but that was absolutely not the case here. From the moment we entered the midway to the final scenes inside the Mill, the cast was plentiful, well placed, and consistently engaging. Spacing throughout the attraction was excellent. Actors were never clustered too closely or spread so far apart that it left dead space. Each scene flowed smoothly into the next with no noticeable lulls, allowing scares and interactions to land with consistent timing. What truly set this cast apart was how convincing they embodied their characters. This wasn’t just a bunch of actors in Sith robes staring you down, they became the Dark Side. Their interactions fully immersed us in the story. From Sith searching for a Jedi to a chillingly silent and menacing Darth Maul, their performances made you feel like a lightsaber duel could break out at any second. Their commitment to their character was exceptional. Actors provided a personal touch to each group and were consistently interacting with groups. One actor picked out Sam, calling her the Jedi because of her bright shirt. Another actor called out Dan’s hair for his “Jedi Bun”. The cast did a great job adapting their dialogue and actions to the groups they were interacting with. They turned the experience into being inside a story, rather than walking through a haunted attraction.
5. How complete, unique, detailed were the costumes, accessories? – (35% of score)
6. Were the masks, makeup creative, detailed, realistic? – (30% of score)
7. How appropriate were the costumes for the respective scenes, themes? – (20% of score)
8. How believable-, detailed-looking were the queue actors? (See Note if N/A) – (15% of score)
Lincoln Mill fully embraced the Dark Side. From head to toe, the costumes planned with accuracy, precision, and passion. Each character was instantly recognizable, with not a single detail overlooked. Darth Maul had his signature double-sided lightsaber, and yes, it was the only one, just like in the actual lore. Lightsaber colors were accurately aligned to the Jedi vs Sith divide, and one actor even wielded a gruesome trophy, a wookiee head. The dedication to staying true to the theme was obvious and impressively done. Our favorite accessory by far had to be the lightsabers, that were actually light up chainsaws! This was our first time seeing these, and paired with the theme, it was a masterfully thought out detail that connected the traditional horror with sci-fi. Even under cloaks and hoods, small details like Darth Mauls horns, were not overlooked. Lincoln Mill did a fantastic job of bringing the darkness to their characters.
9. How easy was it to locate, park at, navigate the premises? – (25% of score)
10. Safety (Only dock points for TRULY DANGEROUS hazards!) – (30% of score)
11. How professional, helpful, friendly were the staff members? – (25% of score)
12. How easy was it to find pertinent information before arrival? – (20% of score)
Lincoln Mill’s had fantastic customer service, and provided a smooth guest experience, with just a few notes that appeared to be circumstantial and not within their control. The haunt was very easy to locate, with a clearly marked building that stood out in the downtown area. However, parking on the night of our visit was extremely challenging. We spent roughly thirty minutes trying to find a spot and ended up parking quite far away. Staff members mentioned this was unusual, and we found out that there was a large music festival happening on the same street. Although this was our experience, we would like to extend some grace here, as it seemed like an anomaly rather than a reflection of their typical guest experience. It should also be noted to use caution on nights when heavy rain is predicted. During our visit, we experienced very heavy rains and the bridge on the main road downtown was flooding. The water was extremely deep, and cars were struggling to pass through safely. The downtown area is very well lit and easy to navigate. They had staff waiting outside to greet people at the entrance. Lincoln Mill uses a QR code based ticketing system that worked well for getting people into the attraction quickly. Every staff member we encountered was friendly, professional, and helpful. They maintained their positive attitudes even during the weather disruptions. All of the staff was easily identifiable and a security presence was visible and reassuring. Lincoln Mill’s website is very user friendly and is filled with any information you would need before going. Ticket prices, hours, attraction details, FAQs, and policies were all easy to find within a few clicks. No guesswork was needed here, everything a first time guest could possibly need was readily available.
13. How well did the pre-haunt areas ("vibe") prepare you for the attraction/s? – (25% of score)
14. How obvious, creative, believable was the storyline? (See Note if N/A) – (20% of score)
15. Were you completely, consistently immersed inside the attraction/s? – (40% of score)
16. How well did the "vibe" flow after, between the attraction/s? – (15% of score)
From the moment we arrived, it was clear we were in for something awesome. The outside atmosphere alone set the tone. Between queue actors roaming through the foggy atmosphere, a Star Wars inspired video hinting at the story we were about to walk into, and lightsaber duels, the wait outside made us excited for what was to come. What impressed us the most was how seamlessly the storyline blended into the haunt’s existing lore. Rather than replacing the Mill’s backstory, they expanded it. Familiar characters like Viktor Kane appeared transformed into a dark Sith during the uprising. The Mill, a real structure with an abandoned history due to a storm, became the setting for a creative crossover. The team behind the haunt didn’t just throw a sci-fi theme over top, they wove it into their current story, and they did it immaculately. The immersion didn’t let up once we entered the attraction. The actor at the door gave us a brief rundown of the narrative before we were ushered inside, and even the elevator scene was used to deliver more backstory in-character. Inside the haunt, the pacing was well controlled. We never ran into another group and actors actively prevented conga lines by blocking our path when needed. The Mill’s scenes were blended into the Darkness Rises storyline masterfully. Even after exiting, the experience wasn’t over. We were brought back into the midway area where they have a gift shop, funnel cake and fried oreos, beer garden, photo op, and even a viewing platform where guests can watch others get scared at the finale. The atmosphere from beginning to end was one of the most creative haunt experiences we’ve had.
17. How effective were the sound effects? – (20% of score)
18. How realistic were the scene designs, details? – (30% of score)
19. How effective, realistic were the props, animatronics? – (30% of score)
20. How well did they use creative, special, sensory effects? – (20% of score)
Lincoln Mill continues to prove that it’s not just building a haunted attraction, it’s building a world. The set design is thrilling in its originality. Each room pulls you deeper into the narrative. There’s no guessing what you’re meant to feel or hear, every wall, every corner, every unsettling phrase scrawled onto surfaces pushes the story forward. One of the most creepy scenes to us was the writing on the walls.Effects were used masterfully. The laser swamp containing Siths was a great touch to thicken the tension and anticipation. One hallway encounter, lit by only the glow of an actor’s swinging lamp, reminded us that we weren’t just looking out for Sith, but that we were in a Mill with an eerie backstory. That single beam of light as we were rushed through the darkness added a traditional touch in tying the two worlds together. Another actor who was hovered over a mutilated body handed us bloody organs as we passed through.
21. How scary was it? – (35% of score)
22. How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? – (15% of score)
23. How predictable were the scares? – (25% of score)
24. How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? – (10% of score)
25. How strong was the ending / finale? – (15% of score)
Lincoln Mill did an impressive job blending sci-fi with horror, with these two genres feeding off each other in unexpected ways. You never knew when a scare was going to strike, and sometimes that anticipation was just as unnerving as the scare itself. In one instance, a character announced our arrival to Viktor, building up the scare before anything even happened. It was a smart interaction, letting us know that something was coming, but not when. They made sure that everyone in our group got personal attention. They accomplished this also by sending guests through in smaller groups. The experience felt more intimate and targeted, and didn’t allow anyone to hide in the middle. Scares came from all angles, and while some gave us an eerie stare, others bursted with energy. The use of compressed air and other clever distractions only added to the suspense. The ending was well thought out and enjoyed the walls placed outside to slow down the bolting escape.
26. How satisfied with the entertainment provided by the MAIN attraction/s? – (50% of score)
27. How satisfied with OTHER entertainment INCLUDED with the ticket price? – (25% of score)
28. How appropriate is/are the ticket price/s? – (25% of score)
Lincoln Mill delivered a solid “bang for your buck” experience from start to finish. While our official walkthrough time clocked in at around 15 minutes, it felt significantly longer thanks to the immersive atmosphere, strong pacing, and clever use of space. The actors didn’t rush groups through, instead they slowed the pace when needed, and helped to stretch the experience without breaking the excitement. Beyond the attraction itself, Lincoln Mill provided interactive queue actors, photo ops, food, drinks, and even a scare viewing area. The actors outside kept the energy high and helped pass the time in the line. It was more than just something to fill space, they added to the atmosphere and built the anticipation before even stepping inside the attraction. Between the quality of the haunt and the midway entertainment, Lincoln Mill has created a memorable experience. The tickets were priced at $32, and we walked away feeling like we got our money’s worth.
4100 Main Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19127