The Chambers of Horror

1601 S. University Blvd., Middletown

By Randy Schadel · October 21st, 2008 · Cover Story

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The Chambers continues to earn its reputation as a haven for hardcore, confrontational haunting. Costuming is minimal, the event uses lots of masks and rooms are decorated with the bare basics, but the ghouls and demons delight in pursuing hauntgoers and herding them into one trap after another. There are rooms full of doors that have no exits — some opening onto walls — and the same door might yield a completely different result the next time. Other exits can be hidden within coffins or boilers. One hallway shrinks down to an opening that must be crawled through. The rooms themselves often take on a life of their own to attack customers, and it seems at times you're going in an endless circle. Did we mention getting locked inside a freezer by butchers?

That’s not the worst.

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The actors emerge from an overwhelming variety of angles and hidden spots to strike. They operate in teams to disorient their victims and set them up for what’s next. You won’t find child actors inside the Chambers. These guys are big, loud and nasty. Sprinkled into the mix are a sampling of slasher movie characters like Freddy, Jason, Leatherface and Michael Myers. At one point, Freddy was hovering over a young lady he’d cornered, bringing her to tears. Lines can be long (45 minutes or more) and the tour takes about 20 minutes. Open 7-11 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday through Nov.1.

1601 S. University Blvd., Middletown, Exit 32 off I-75, www.thechambers.org

What to Expect: You will be chased, and it features a maze.

What’s Unique: An opening video that gives hauntgoers a backstory and immediately puts them on the spot.

The Damage: $10 (donating a canned good earns a $1 discount)

CityBeat Rating: NC-17 (Not that they’ll stop you if you’re under)