The Empty Grave Review (2023)

The cast at The Empty Grave has long been one of its strong suits, and this year was no different. Led by Mike, the owner of The Empty Grave, the cast brings their ‘A’ game game, taking his lead while crafting their own unique characters. Those actors then take those characters to the next level with the well-honed haunt craft, disappearing from one spot only to almost magically reappear in another. Regardless of whether it’s the helpful HR employee that sends you into the haunt or the maniacal monstrosities deeper within, there was no shortage of exceptionally topical quips accompanying the more usual haunter banter.

Finally, we wanted to give a special shout-out to one actor in particular who has helped at The Empty Grave for years and who also provides some of the awesome masks and accessories, Josh, who operates Kimbark Cemetery Productions, with the slogan, “for haunters, by haunters.” If you’re looking for some one-of-a-kind haunt gear, check him out!

We were able to recognize a few Kimbark Cemetery originals in the mix, detail, and personality, working hand in hand with the cast that adorned it. At times, it was a little difficult seeing the full costumes because of the speed with which the cast popped up and then disappeared, but also due to the amount of fog throughout the haunt.

Given the wide berth allowed by the theme, most of the costumes were perfectly appropriate, and the detail we saw was generally done well. That continuity waned a bit nearer the end of the haunt, but the strong start made up for any lost ground.

Customer service remains top-notch at The Empty Grave. Unlike a lot of haunts, where cast and crew are hired from all around, The Empty Grave is a pretty close-knit, family-run affair, and that personal touch really comes through. That’s not to say that it’s a tame haunt, because it’s not, but visitors really feel welcome and are treated to a spectacular environment.

Having been multiple nights, we’ve witnessed a slew of different creative offerings. Friday the 13th featured a variety of superstitious activities, queue line photo ops, and booth vendors in the courtyard. Empty Grave’s website also has all of the pertinent info.

There were no safety issues, though our feet did catch on a couple of transitions and floor coverings. Parking is free on the street near the haunt but might fill up quickly, so plan to leave a little extra time for that, especially as the season goes on. Of course, haunt fans can still make a full night of it, with Wibby Brewing, food trucks, and a pizzeria all within walking distance.

Showing up a few hours after the first opening of the season, the great courtyard right out front gave off mood-lifting vibes from the live music stage and brewery, merging nicely with the haunt façade queue line.

Entering the haunt, you’re immediately immersed into the morbid meat factory. That theme was greatly strengthened by the authenticity of the location and feels especially realistic, given the attention paid to the new audio and visual effects supporting it. The boiler room would have benefitted from a little more detail, as was present on other parts of the haunt, where senses are assaulted from top to bottom.

Although the haunt ended somewhat abruptly, the transition out of the haunt was thematically lightened, allowing for enough of a cooldown that guests could start chuckling and reminiscing about the scares they had just moments ago.

The Empty Grave’s special effects are as good as one would expect, but the expert execution in this haunt is what truly sets them apart! Well-timed props perform all sorts of untoward tricks on haunt-goers, while things like fog, strobes, and netting are used to terrific effect, causing the haunt to feel simultaneously expansive and narrow with discombobulation.

There wasn’t much noticeable audio throughout the haunt, other than the omnipresent factory din pierced by shrieks and screams, but that quiet sometimes played into the anticipation that something monstrous was going to be around the next bend. That soundscape certainly gives the impression of the night shift at a factory but left us waiting for the sounds of the terrified turkeys.

The Empty Grave also features some genuinely great props and scenes, though it was difficult to make out much of the detail we’ve seen in years past with the thick fog in some spots. It’s clear the focus here is in the ever disorienting, will-you-escape feeling in the circuitous path The Empty Grave has featured for years. Fiends are able to make almost unnaturally quick transitions given the behind-the-scenes setup, while visitors are left to wind around and around until eventually finding the final panels and moving on. That combination, coupled with being able to see who (or what) awaited on the other side of the netting, provided for an amazing maze!

If you’re visiting The Empty Grave, prepare yourselves for ten minutes of delightful terror! With the combined efforts of the cast, the special effects, and the tremendous design of the haunt, be prepared to scream! Even veteran haunt-goers like us found it difficult to predict where the next scare was coming from, or even what it would be, as cast popped up unexpectedly, prowled behind us, drawing ever closer, and menaced us from the front. That fright, though, is nicely cut with the cast’s off-the-cuff humor, causing us to sometimes dash into the next area while giggle-screaming, only to be met again with more scares. All said The Empty Grave does a great job hitting the mark and striking a good balance of scary entertainment!