[Haunt Review] Fright Factory - In this Underworld, There is No Escape

Another haunt from the Philly leg of Haunt Tour and yet again, it had been years since the last visit. There's been a lot of changes to this place over the years as they keep trying to make the show fresh and interesting inside the 100+ year old factory basement they inhabit. To say that this one is in a bit of a strange location and doesn't look like much from the outside is an understatement. However, inside...that's another matter entirely.

In it's 14th year, the folks at Fright Factory have adapted and tweaked things in such a way that you really have no idea of what you're getting yourself into. That is until you're already knee deep and there's no way out except to keep going further into the madness of it all. This review is a little shorter, but that's mostly because I don't want to give too much away either!

Also, want to say that they have some really cool ticket options for this, one where you can join the cast of deranged creatures and monsters too! Really love that angle and hope that they continue doing it in the future because once you get a taste of haunting? You never go back!

• Date Visited: 10/12/14
• Review Team: +Carrie H.C., +Filip Muncan and +Kitsune Hazard 
• Rating: Extremely Good
• Recommendation: Unassuming and totally unexpected. It was great before but they're definitely turning the dial up even more these days. Gotta check them out!
• Likes: Love that you have no idea what's going on until you get in there. Acting was amazing on our way out and they were really into their roles.
• Dislikes: Some of the lighting makes it hard to see the sets and other things, which is a shame and maybe could use some more actors in some places. Nothing major.
• Pro-Tip: Easy to miss, so make sure you keep your eyes out. Also, it's a 100+ year old factory basement, watch your step!

Disclaimer: We were invited out to check out this year's Fright Factory and that meant complimentary tickets. As usual, we never let that sway our opinions and always tell as it we see and experience things. 

Now, on with the show!

Nestled in in what can only be called some cross between an alley and a side street, Fright Factory is utterly unassuming from the start. There are no grand facades, carnival rides or any other gimmicks here, it's down and dirty homegrown hauntin and it's just the way we like it.

Once you've gotten your tickets and passed under the Fright Factory banner, you find yourself going down and it's clear that from the start that even before you get into the haunt proper, you're fair game. Wandering creatures and other demented folks are all too happy to get a few scares on early and it definitely sets the mood.

We reached the bottom and were ready to get started into things. Past here, we were plunged into a murky darkness. Church pews are haphazardly placed and as you wander through them, you never know what's to come and it sets the mood really well. Again, it's not fancy but it doesn't have to be. You're below ground, in the dark and unsure of what waits around the next corner. Well, in this case I'll tell you, but don't expect a lot of spoilers here.

After passing through the first area that introduces you to the hell you've entered, you find yourself being let into the main haunt itself. After a quick photo op stop we were let into the chaos fully. It's a twisting and dimly lit labyrinth full of all manner of weirdness that I'm still having a hard time explaining fully. Really loved everything about the first section, some of the sounds (natural and not so much), the weird unevenness of the floors, everything just comes together in a perfect little harmony of evil.

There's nothing I can really complain about here, the only thing I wish was maybe a little more lighting to show of some things and a few more actors. We were there on a Sunday, so they could've been light on that but the ones that were there? Totally into it and trying their hardest to get to us.

Now, the way Fright Factory is set up is that there are two themes to things and after making it through the first, you find yourself at another little entrance area and once more into the breech. In the past they had four distinct haunts, but they've mashed it all together into one giant maelstrom of chaos...and I gotta say, it works.

More twisting and turning as we went and we had no idea just where we were in this immense and ancient basement. There really is no rhyme or reason to it and you feel completely lost as you try and make your way through the creature filled halls.

Again, this area wasn't well lit and I think some details were lost because of that, the actors were doing an awesome job and just nailed their characters yet again. Though, just like the previous "section", they seemed a little sparse. Again, could've been a Sunday thing. The only other thing is that it did seem a little anti-climactic at the final end. This is something that could definitely be worked in the future, but the rest of the place works so well that its' really not that big of a deal.

I'll say it again, this whole experience felt like it was the kind of down and dirty homegrown haunting that I started with 20 years ago. Our whole group loved every minute of it and the actors here really were something special. This just goes to show that you don't need million dollar set ups to put on a great haunt. You can tell that everyone is dedicated to what they're doing and it shows in the end result...from the moment you arrive until you make it into the gift shop, it's a constant barrage of weird and creepy.

So, hats off you to guys for putting on helluva show and if you're in the Philly area, you really need to make the trip out to see what Fright Factory has put together! 

There's still a couple more nights to get out to Fright Factory, so head over to their official website for tickets, hours and directions!