Just an hour south of Nashville lies Malice, a haunted attraction that takes you on a long, eerie walk through the woods, where unsettling characters and spooky scenes await at every turn. Before you even enter the woods, there’s plenty to keep you entertained in the lively midway area. You can play carnival-style games, watch live bands perform on stage, browse through merchandise, or snap a few photos at the themed setups. Need to stay warm? Gather around the cozy fire pits while enjoying some food from the midway.
The attraction uses a colored wristband system, allowing you to freely explore the midway until your color is called. Once it’s your turn, you will step into the dark woods and face the haunting thrills that Malice has in store. The suspense builds as you walk deeper into the forest, knowing something terrifying could be waiting just around the corner.
The cast of Malice was truly a standout, making the experience even more immersive with their extreme level of interaction. Nearly every actor managed to get multiple scares within their scenes, keeping the energy high throughout. They engaged in fun, creepy dialogue, telling us we were in for “free lobotomies” and warning us not to touch their spoons. At one point, they even tried to make Shane the meal for the night!
There were a solid number of actors in each scene, so never a dull moment was had at the haunt. Each performer seemed well-trained, knowing exactly what to say, what sounds to make, and when to strike. Some actors grunted, others snorted, or even sniffed at us adding a strange and unnerving atmosphere to the performances.
One memorable moment took place in the spider room, where an actor introduced us to a spider named Toledo. I wasn’t allowed to leave until I said goodbye to Toledo, and the actor made sure of that. Another highlight was “Mama,” serving up some suspicious Chinese food—her dead cat! To top it off, there was a fortune teller who passed me a tarot card, leaving me wondering if I’ve been cursed! The cast really made sure each scene was interactive, terrifying, and thoroughly entertaining.
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 Malice was nothing short of complete and immersive. The variety of characters ranged from clowns to hospital and asylum scenes, where actors donned doctors’ clothes, scrubs, and even straightjackets. “Mama,” in her eerie kitchen, wore a housecoat, adding to the unsettling home-like feel of her scene.
One of the most memorable moments was a scarecrow standing perfectly still on the trail. His costume was so convincing that I was certain he was just a regular prop—until he sprang to life and delivered a perfect scare. The masks worn by the actors were also remarkable. Some had horns, including a character inside the void black maze, with a crazy horned mask and razor-tipped fingers.
Towards the end, there was a brightly colored clown mask that glowed vividly under the black light, adding a surreal and creepy effect. The clown makeup throughout was impressive, and we even spotted what appeared to be a zombie hearse driver, whose dead-like makeup was haunting. The attention to detail in every costume made each scene feel alive—until it wasn’t.
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)
Upon arriving at Malice, the experience began before entering the haunt itself. It was easy to find with GPS, and as we got closer, signs directed us toward the dead end on Nix Road.
This unsettling journey to a literal dead end really set the mood, giving us all the creepy vibes. Everyone we encountered was super friendly and helpful, and we even had the chance to meet Rob, the owner of the haunt.
A key tip—make sure you wear proper footwear, as the path takes you through the woods, adding to the atmosphere, but also requiring sturdy shoes!
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)
The pre-haunt vibe at Malice was fantastic, setting the perfect tone for the experience. After purchasing tickets, patrons receive a color-coded wristband that let them to roam the midway while waiting for their turn.
This area really helped build the spooky atmosphere, with a costumed character running the axe-throwing attraction, and a couple of roaming creatures to keep everyone on edge.
As we ventured into the dark, wooded path, the tension mounted. The eerie surroundings made it impossible not to feel like something was constantly watching or lurking behind the trees. Every sound, every shadow, had us wondering what could be next. After a suspense-filled 20 minutes winding through the woods, we finally emerged back into the lively midway, where we could relax, grab a T-shirt, and enjoy some food.
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)
The sound effects inside Malice were a standout feature, ranging from eerie noises to creepy music, mixed with familiar oldies like “Funny, Funny Bunny.” The scenes, built cleverly from pallets, were so detailed that you wouldn’t have guessed the simple construction. In the hospital waiting room, there were chairs to sit in and posters on the walls, giving it an authentic feel.
As we entered the spider hallway, spiders dangled from the ceiling, and a huge one descended right above us. The kitchen scene was particularly memorable—after getting a bit lost. Mama suddenly burst out of the refrigerator, which turned out to be a hidden door. The haunt had several creative doors, including a coffin we walked through.
Sensory effects played a key role in making the experience immersive. Though I couldn’t identify the smells, they added to the atmosphere. The strobe lighting in the asylum scene was intense, and the vortex tunnel was disorienting and well-done.
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)
The scare factor at Malice was intense, with actors coming from every angle—behind, above, and even off the tops of structures. The eerie music, disorienting lights, and dark woods created a relentless atmosphere of suspense. Our small group was targeted multiple times by actors, who surprised us just when we thought they were gone. One actor in particular managed to scare us about five times in a single scene.
Some scares were predictable, but many were not, keeping us on edge. There were people falling from the ceiling, growling and snorting, and others using distraction tactics. The variety of scares was impressive, from clown horns and chainsaws to more subtle distraction techniques. The only downside was the finale, which while interactive and fun, didn’t quite pack the punch we expected. However, it might hit differently for others when they visit.
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)
For the price of $25, Malice offers great value. We spent about 20 minutes in the haunt, which works out to about 0.8 minutes per dollar—just below the national average, but reasonable for the experience. Beyond the haunt itself, the midway adds extra value with opportunities to warm up by the fire, enjoy live music, grab some food, and take photos. Overall, it’s a well-rounded night out that feels worth the price!
1777 Nix Road, Belfast, Tennessee 37091