As we traveled down a dark highway through McMinnville, Tennessee, a thick fog seemed to roll down the road, guiding us like a spectral beacon in the night. But where could it lead? Heading into their 6th season, the creators of Rigor Mortis have accomplished what many haunts dream of – some taking 20 years or more to get there! Even more impressive? It’s all family-run.

With two attractions, The Dybbuk Box Curse and The Voices Under the Stairs, this haunt delivers two floors of non-stop, heart-pounding terror. Prepare for an all-out attack on your senses – expect to scream, sweat, and feel your heart race as scares come from every angle. Floors squish beneath you, creatures spring to life when you least expect it, and overhead surprises are guaranteed to keep you on edge.

Welcome to Rigor Mortis… and whatever you do, don’t listen to the Dybbuk box! Now, follow us into the darkness!

In The Dybbuk Box Curse, the cast was a blend of eerie, silent terror and sinister interactions. Cloaked figures seemed to know every shadowy corner and cranny of the haunt, lurking in silence before suddenly appearing to give us a scare. One particularly memorable character invited us to “ch-ch-chill” with them in the freezer- hard pass! While many actors didn’t speak much, their presence was felt throughout, each engaging in different unsettling behaviors that made it clear they were fully immersed in the horror.

The Voices Under the Stairs cast members featured impeccable timing and a persistence that left us constantly on edge. The maid, in particular, was relentless, chasing us down while trying to dust us – talk about a cleaning crew with dead-ication! Some characters stalked and lurked behind us, while others nailed us from above. A cemetery dweller insisted we pay our respects, and we’re not sure she was satisfied as her creepy demeanor never changed despite what we said.

From start to finish, the cast at Rigor Mortis knew how and when to strike, which left us screaming and jumping a lot. We’re convinced they have a certification in remaining completely still until the perfect moment! While the cast isn’t the most verbally interactive, the haunt is loud, and it would be hard to hear them anyway.

The costuming at Rigor Mortis blended dark and grotesque elements to amplify the creatures’ and denizens’ looks. Outside, an eerie woman holding a lantern greeted us, and a woodland creature wielding a shovel set the tone before we entered.

Some terrifying costumes emerged as we made our way through the horrors derived from the box. Characters with darkened eyes, crazed hair, and dripping makeup enhanced our sense of dread. Several wore red cloaks, giving off an ominous, cult-like vibe, while others had unnerving features like colored contacts and distorted facial features. One giant, hairy, horned demon stood out, as did a mysterious character peering through their hat – an unsettling twist on a more classic look. These characters looked like they’d been ripped out of someone’s worst nightmare!

As we listened to the voices, the costumes’ creativity and placements continued. From claws and headdresses to cloaks and blacked-out faces, these looks added to the sense of dread. A sheet ghost gave us a scare, but the living statue really made us second-guess what was real! A few indescribable masks also made us take a close look just to be sure, and in particular, the long-haired costume tricked everyone in our group into thinking it was just part of the decor – until it wasn’t (in the stairwell area). The swamp creature and the ghoulish cemetery dweller stood out, blending in perfectly with their environments.

The costumes across both attractions showcased various looks while maintaining consistency. There was a well-balanced mix of airbrushed makeup and masks; nothing seemed out of place regarding their sinister appearances.

Rigor Mortis excels in providing customer service, hence their perfect score here! Upon arriving at Rigor Mortis’s fog-filled parking lot, we were met with a lively atmosphere of lights and music, along with plenty of free parking. The haunt’s strip mall location and well-lit signage made it easy to find.

Their website and social media provided clear information on the address, tickets, and hours. They even had a full FAQ page containing commonly asked questions!

Everyone we encountered was incredibly helpful, including the welcoming owner, Jordan Winton, who made us feel right at home! However, their canine greeter was one of the sweetest!

Navigating the haunt was simple. If we had any questions, a character or staff member was always close by to guide us along the way. We didn’t notice any trip hazards in the haunt or anything like that other than intentional, uneven flooring.

The fog rolling down the main highway ensured we didn’t miss Rigor Mortis! It created an eerie atmosphere before arriving, leading us straight to the haunt. Outside, music played while unsettling characters roamed about. Several spooky props were also on display, adding to the anticipation. A robed figure ominously peered at us from one of the theater windows, further pulling us into the experience before we even stepped inside.

As we transitioned between haunts, the immersion continued. Before descending the stairs into the second haunt, spooky decor had been strategically placed to maintain the eerie atmosphere during this shift. Upon exiting the attraction, we were led to their gift shop, which featured snacks, drinks, and many Halloween gifts, merch, and photo ops!

Each of the two haunts had distinct themes, and both kicked off with solid introductions. Before entering the upstairs haunt, we received an excellent storyline intro involving an artifact hidden in a library. Once opened, this artifact unleashed all the trapped spirits, setting the stage for the horrors to come! We must say – this was one of the most effective intros we’ve seen! In the downstairs portion, we were guided by eerie whispers into the McMinnville Mortuary, where we faced even more terrors, including an unsettling encounter with the lady on the stairs! Boy, was she creepy as ever!

Both haunts had well-executed storylines that were easy to follow, keeping us fully immersed in the twisted worlds we found ourselves in. Once inside, very little disrupted the experience. From start to finish, we felt like we were living and breathing the stories that Rigor Mortis masterfully crafted!

The sounds inside the haunt were incredibly immersive, hitting with enough power to be physically felt; some were pounding in our chests! From the deep, booming bass at the entrance of Voices Under the Stairs to the more eerie, sinister melodies in the cemetery, the sound design amplified the fear. The sound also varied in levels, which added a dimension to their realism. We’d also like to note that the owner informed us that their sounds are created just for them!

The scene design in Rigor Mortis was remarkable, leaving nothing to the imagination. Every inch was meticulously detailed, from fully stocked bookshelves in the library to the soft, squishy ground in the cemetery, making it feel like we were walking between real headstones. Animatronics were cleverly and effectively used. Some were larger-than-life creatures, such as a T-Rex and a rat, while others were so realistic that we didn’t expect them to rise suddenly. There were so many corpses here that we’re surprised we even made it out!

Perhaps the most captivating touch was the use of smells: cotton candy in the dollhouse room with clowns, roses in the funeral home, and earthy dirt in the cemetery. In addition, they used lighting very well, too. One particularly disorienting section involved a dark hallway where, just as our eyes adjusted, a bright flash of light would blind us, sending us back into disarray. However… it wasn’t just the light that we were worried about. The overall sensory experience added layers of terror at every turn!

Rigor Mortis delivered various scares across both attractions, keeping us on edge and constantly second-guessing what was coming at us next… and from where! The balance between sensory overload, suspenseful moments, and perfectly timed jump scares made this haunt stand out when providing frights!

The Dybbuk Box Curse set the tone immediately with a sensory assault during the intro. As we continued, scares came from every angle, including from above, behind, left, and right, keeping us disoriented and making it hard to predict where the next scare would come from. The cloaked figures knew every hidden nook and cranny, with loud pops and sudden sound effects adding to the chaos. The attraction hit on all senses but taste (unless you get super hungry), utilizing excellent hiding spots, e-scares, and gore – keeping our tension high.

One of the most effective aspects was the staggered scare placements; no two consecutive frights came from the same direction. The overhead scare in the final room was a significant highlight, leaving us confused and struggling to find the exit amidst a well-timed, additional e-scare!

The Voices Under the Stairs focused more on suspense. Many actors blended seamlessly into their surroundings, leaving us constantly on edge as we tried to guess what was real or not. The haunting music enhanced the creepy atmosphere, and the scares ranged from double taps to close-call swings with a large mallet.

The actors came up behind us when we least expected it, keeping the tension high throughout. A good mix of classic phobias was at play, including coulrophobia and even a dinosaur scare that added an unexpected twist. The finale was particularly effective, wrapping up the experience with one last adrenaline-pumping moment. This scene indeed sent shivers down our spines with every step.

Spending about 20 minutes inside both levels of Rigor Mortis and paying $27.99 for entry puts the experience at 0.71 MPD, just below the average minutes per dollar, but the value was well worth it! The terror was nonstop from the moment we entered, and the set designs and details were worth the admission price alone! Add the actors and detailed costuming, and you’ve got yourself a must-see haunt!

While waiting, the atmosphere was lively, with music and queue line actors providing entertainment. Though we enjoyed the experience, we’d love to see more activities at the location to enhance the vibe and spend more time soaking it all in. They do offer a gift shop and some freaky photo-op spots!

If you’re looking for a haunt that taps into various fears, offers plenty of visual eye candy, and showcases a high level of creativity in 40,000 Sq Ft, then Rigor Mortis Haunted House should be at the top of your list. With its immersive atmosphere, spine-chilling storylines, and intricate set designs, this haunt has something for every haunt enthusiast. Just remember, as we warned… be careful with that Dybbuk box – you never know what kind of spirits it might unleash!