Final Scores – By Category:

Cast (20% of Final Score): 9.79

Costuming (10% of Final Score): 9.89

Customer Service (10% of Final Score): 9.69

Immersion (10% of Final Score): 9.62

Special Effects (15% of Final Score): 9.39

Scare Factor (20% of Final Score): 9.44

Entertainment & Value (15% of Final Score): 9.53

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Final Scores – By Attraction:

Attraction 1: 9.6

Nightmare Factory in Havelock, North Carolina, is back for its 18th season, and it’s more than just a haunted house; it’s an entire experience from the moment you arrive. Before you even step inside, the energy hits you as you walk around the outside of the building, where sideshow acts entertain and prepare you for what’s waiting beyond the entrance. It’s not your typical queue line; these performers set the tone for the night, adding a theatrical, carnival-like vibe that only builds the excitement.

Once you enter, you’re in for a Hollywood-level production that left us completely floored. The haunt spans 30,000 square feet and is divided into five distinct sections: Dead Zone, Clowns in 3D, Haunted Factory, The Psych Ward, and The Narrows. Each one has its own style, and the level of detail makes every room feel like a fully immersive set. Before 9 PM, it’s a PG-13 experience, but after that, it ramps up to an R-rated show with strong language and light touching for those looking for a more intense thrill.

Nightmare Factory blends elements of film, theater, music, and sideshow performances into something truly unique. What started as a small haunt has evolved into a full-scale production, and it’s easy to see why. The story behind it adds to the freakish atmosphere, based on a turn-of-the-century factory that manufactured “questionable” products; the building burned down in 1923 after its tortured workers set it ablaze. Rediscovered in 2007, the haunt now invites visitors to explore its haunted ruins, with ghosts and ghouls guiding you through the remains of the factory’s dark past. It’s a must-see experience!

They definitely have plenty of actors for their haunt, as there are typically 35 to 40 actors performing inside and outside. They are all paid and receive in-house training before they begin. Before entering the factory, we received mildly threatening instructions from a badass zombie with a saw blade stuck in his head. He was wearing a mechanics-style jumpsuit. He could’ve been wearing a shirt that said, “I wasn’t hired for my disposition.” He played his role perfectly.

The first zombie we encountered in The Dead Zone pulled us right into the middle of what felt like the set of Land of the Dead. His name is Rush, and he was on the ground devouring a corpse, just like you would see in a George Romero zombie movie. Another zombie ran at us and then dropped to his knees and threw sparks all over the place. Folks, this is just in the first minute of the haunt. This cast of characters, from beginning to end, work very hard to deliver some authentic scares.

The next character that stuck out was a clown by the name of Clingy. She may as well have been a tour guide through the clown section with her consistent banter and grabbing at all of us. Speaking of grabbing, there were monsters of all sorts grabbing at our ankles, surprising us from above, and one even jumped right into our faces from a frog stance and screamed at us several times. The kicker is you could barely keep track of his location as he’s known as “The Dweller.”

When we entered the psych ward, pure chaos broke out. Patients were grabbing us as we were rushed through the area. Some were behind fences, raking tools across them to create sparks. The screaming, oh, the screaming was non-stop. Patients were banging on the walls. The nurses and patients all looked to be infected with something, creating mass hysteria. You could hear some human victims who hadn’t met their maker yet screaming, “Somebody help!!! and NO, don’t leave!!!” A Chirping zombie that reminded me of something from Stranger Things followed us into the gift shop from the Psych Ward. His name is MAC3, and you’ll definitely want to meet him. He acts like an undead puppy that’s been trained to not hurt the living. Almost like Bub in Day of the Dead.

The makeup and costumes at Nightmare Factory are absolutely top-notch, like something straight out of a horror movie or your worst nightmares. What really sets them apart is the fact that they don’t use masks. Every actor is fully suited in custom-made costumes, detailed makeup, prosthetics, and even realistic “weapons” that bring each character to life.

Justin, one of the co-owners, leads the makeup team, with fellow co-owner James and three other skilled artists working alongside him. Together, they spend hours each night crafting these unique creatures. The level of detail is so impressive, you won’t catch any out-of-place sneakers or unpainted skin here, as they’re dedicated to keeping the characters true to their storyline. Whether it’s clowns, zombies, or mental patients, each one is so meticulously designed, it pulls you even deeper into the experience.

The customer service at Nightmare Factory is amazing. From the moment you arrive, the staff is welcoming and eager to make sure everyone has a fantastic experience. They’re friendly, approachable, and go out of their way to ensure you have the best time possible. Located in a strip mall, it’s easy to find thanks to bright signs and lighting, though parking can be a bit tricky due to the shared space. You may need to drive around to find a spot, but once you park, getting to the haunt is a breeze.

With active radio communication, they’re quick to respond to any situation. The team is trained in crowd management and customer assistance, with personal flashlights on hand to help guests throughout the haunt. They have on-site paramedics for any medical needs, a trained security team, and even police and sheriff assistance to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Safety is clearly a priority here. They can quickly turn on house lights and disable the theatrical effects by zone if needed. While the haunt itself is not ADA accessible due to space limitations, they do offer free outdoor shows and do their best to accommodate guests with specific needs.

Their website is user-friendly, with all the important information you need, and their social media is regularly updated to keep you informed. Overall, the customer service at Nightmare Factory goes above and beyond to provide a safe, fun, and memorable experience for every guest.

I don’t think we’ve ever been this entertained while waiting for a haunt! The side shows at Nightmare Factory are next-level. They use both the stage and graveyard areas to showcase different acts all night long, from fire-breathing zombies and fire-spinning psychos to stilt-walkers and sideshow performances by “Scud the Zombie” (his new “toxic waste needle act” is a must-see). Plus, they have a 12-foot Burmese Python named Sneaky that makes appearances for photo ops every so often (we love snakes!)

The queue actors are incredible. There are enough of them wandering around to keep you on edge the whole time, with constant sneak attacks to keep the scares going while you wait. The best part is that the cast even comes out into the crowd at random times, so you’re never sure when or where the next scare is coming from.

Once inside the haunt, the immersion doesn’t stop. You’re drawn into the storyline of Albert Knight, the 1883 factory owner whose dark history includes animal slaughter, human cremation, torture devices, and gruesome factory accidents. With workers eventually burning the place down with Knight trapped inside in 1923, the story is filled with horror and chaos.

One thing that could enhance the experience even more would be adding some narration or character interaction to share more of the backstory as you walk through. It would be awesome to hear more about the factory’s dark history, and having Albert Knight make an appearance in the finale could really tie everything together.

And after the haunt, it’s perfect that you exit right into the gift shop, where a ghoul is usually hanging around to keep the atmosphere going. It’s such a seamless experience from start to finish!

The special effects at Nightmare Factory are absolutely mind-blowing. I feel like a broken record, but it’s truly like stepping into a Hollywood horror movie, with mesmerizing attention to detail in every scene. Everything is real, custom-made, or customized by their talented build crew, many of whom are also actors. The craftsmanship is top-notch!

In The Dead Zone, you step into a foggy alleyway surrounded by pallet walls, as if you’re walking through a town that’s been torn apart by a zombie apocalypse. Vegetation seems to be overtaking the area, 55-gallon drums are scattered around (Trioxin, anyone?), and alarms blare in the distance, with a foggy bridge and heart-beating sound effects pulling you deeper into the chaos.

The Haunted Factory takes things to another level with floors that look rotted or shot through, illuminated by green lights that create a cool laser effect. Walking through flickering lights in the sewers adds to the sense of instability, with tight, run-down walkways. The chop shop is full of loud saws and body parts, and then there’s the bizarre elevator moment where, after a strobe-light show, you suddenly find yourself in a completely different part of the haunt. The witch’s cauldron here was also a standout, propped up by tree limbs and looking impressively authentic.

Clowns in 3D was a wild ride with glowing paint, mirrors, and disorienting visuals everywhere. It’s like a silly string bomb exploded, with melting skeletons trapped in glowing toxic waste and compressed air effects that added to the insanity.

The Psych Ward was an intense experience, full of alarms, sirens, and strobe lights that created a chaotic, horrifying atmosphere. The sound and lighting effects were overwhelming in the best way possible, adding to the haunt’s sense of total madness.

The Narrows plays on your full sensory. In pitch black you will have to feel your way around different textures through very small hallways.

We did the R-rated version, so things were seriously intense from the moment we walked in! Since this is a touch haunt, they’re allowed to grab you, which makes everything feel way more real. They get right up in your face, curse at you, and even grab your ankles; it’s the kind of thing that makes you jump when you least expect it. We were freaking out, but honestly having the time of our lives.

What’s great is that they didn’t let anyone in our group off the hook. Everyone got scared, and we ended up switching places a few times, so it kept things interesting. The scares came from every direction, and you never really knew what was coming next. Each scene was different from the last, so it was like being in a whole new environment every few minutes, which kept us completely engaged the whole way through.

And the ending? Totally wild. It was chaotic, creative, and just such a big, memorable way to finish things off. We walked out with our hearts racing, and couldn’t stop talking about how unique that finale was. It was a wild ride from start to finish, and we loved every second!

Though Nightmare Factory may be a shorter haunt, it definitely makes every minute count. Clocking in at around 16 minutes, this haunt may not take long to walk through, but it’s packed with intense scares and impressive scenes. While the minutes per dollar might seem low at 0.53, it’s absolutely worth every penny. In fact, it may just be the best 16 minutes you’ll experience all season.

Beyond the main haunt, there’s plenty of entertainment to enjoy. You’re treated to incredible sideshow acts outside, including fire throwers, a fox trap act, a toxic waste needle act, a snake named “Sneaky,” and more. These performances really add to the overall value and give you more bang for your buck.

General admission is priced between $20-$30, depending on the night, with a Fast Pass option available for $60 if you want to skip the lines. If you’re looking for even more, you can add on The Narrows for an extra $10 or blow off steam in the Unleash Rage Room for $30.

After you’re done, don’t forget to check out the gift shop and grab some concessions while you enjoy the rest of the outdoor entertainment. Even though it’s a shorter haunt, Nightmare Factory offers an experience full of thrills, making it a great value for what you get.