01:37 Min

The gates of Hell are once again open at Universal Studios Singapore for its Halloween-themed mega event, Halloween Horror Nights.

Now in its 11th edition, this year’s scare-fest, which runs from Sep 29 to Nov 4, features five haunted houses — including one based on Netflix’s Korean zombie series All of Us Are Dead and the music of the Weeknd — three Scare Zones, two live shows and, for an extra S$207 (non-peak) or S$217 (peak), a multi-sensory dinner and show experience inspired by the Diyu: Descent into Hell haunted house.

Personally, I don’t find the Scare Zones particularly scary. Why? Because they are out in the open. You can run, you can hide. But in the haunted houses, those are the stress-testers. You’re in a dark, dingy and claustrophobic environment — vulnerable as hell, so to speak.

As a veteran of one HHN tour, I thought I wouldn’t be startled that easily. But guess what? I was wrong. I screamed. A lot. Then again, there is no shame in screaming; it’s therapeutic. Besides, inside the house, no one can hear you scream.

We made it out alive with our souls intact. Now it’s your turn. But before you do that, here’s our ranking of the five haunted houses, starting with the scariest. With that, Godspeed, Hellraisers!

#1. Rebirth of the Matriarch  <-> scariest!

Rebirth of the Matriarch: Do you want to give mummy a kiss? Don't think so. 

The sequel to Vengeance of the Matriarch, the first HHN attraction from 2011 (back when there was only one haunted house). This time, the titular dowager is dead but she doesn’t plan on staying dead. (Pssst, human sacrifice needed!) The attention to detail is insane: the designers went so far as to acquire Peranakan furniture from Malacca. Why hasn’t anyone turned this house into an R21 movie? Mike Wiluan, are you reading this?

Scare factor: 4.5/5

#2. All of Us Are Dead

All of Us are Dead: A zombie shows off her agility. 

This is an adaptation of Netflix’s hit K-series of the same name where you ‘enroll’ at Hyosan High. There, you have to navigate through hordes of zombie students. Every set piece on the TV show is here, including the tipped-over library bookshelves. Strange but true: in the locker room set, we smelt urine. Turns out that putrid odour was fake. At least that was what we were told. Or did someone really pee? We were too chicken to stick around to find out.

Scare factor: 4/5

#3. Grimm Encounters

Grimm Encounters: Do not disturb the Sleeping Beauty. 

If you think about it, the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tales are pretty gruesome, not very kid-friendly, in fact. This house returns those fables to their violent and disturbing roots, with The Piped Piper (wasn’t he a paedophile?) causing all kinds of shenanigans. Try taking a selfie with Sleeping Beauty encased in a glass casket. Wait, did she just blink at us? Or was that our imagination working overtime?

Scare factor: 4/5

#4. Diyu: Descent into Hell

Diyu: Descent into Hell: Meet King Yama, the King of Hell. He'll validate your parking too. Kidding. 

A soul has to go through various levels of diyu (“hell” in Chinese) because receiving judgement from King Yama, the King of Hell. Remember those 10 Courts of Hell statues at Haw Par Villa? Well, this house is the live-action version of that display. Best bit: a corridor of mirrors (a la Enter the Dragon). So exercise caution because you never know what demons lurk behind the reflective surface.  

Scare factor: 3/5

#5. The Weeknd: After Hours Til Dawn Nightmare <-> least scary!

The Weeknd: After Hours Til Dawn Nightmare: The Weeknd's plastic surgery didn't go as planned. 

Welcome to the Nightclub from Hell? Or is it in Hell? Hard to say. Either way, you’re trapped in this hedonistic purgatory inspired by the songs from the Grammy-winning Canadian actor-singer’s albums, Dawn FM and After Hours. That, and all kinds of American Horror Story-esque weirdness. It felt too much like a music video. The rest of us might consider watching The Weeknd in the scandal-baiting HBO sleaze fest, The Idol. Now, that’s scary.

Scare factor: 3/5

Beware sunset: Hell comes alive at Universal Studios Singapore after dark. 

Halloween Horror Nights 11

When: Sep 29-Nov 4, from 7.30pm (select nights)

Where: Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway

Admission: S$89 for peak nights (7.30pm-1.30am), S$79 for non-peak nights (7.30pm-12.30am)

Info: rwsentosa.com/hhn

Video: Pyron Tan

Photos: Dillon Tan