The ramp leading up to the laboratory is already glowing green. A soapy sludge flies through the air, shot from a canon, and slowly slides down the decline. I bravely step into the radioactive residue—and it doesn’t burn my skin. Perhaps it only works on the monsters, I think to myself. Dr. Sanguine pulls a bucket from under the spout and holds it forward. I reach my hand in, slowly, and to my surprise, there is candy inside. His formula does work. “The acid melts down my creatures—and they become candy,” the Dr. Sanguine proudly proclaims. I unwrap a Twix and take a bite. It tastes monstrous. Prism Haunt 2023 returned with Monstrous Meltdown – a Halloween show and impressive yard display.

Prism Haunt 2023 takes a step back from the commercial success that was their 2022 MiCRO Lab Madness, and creates something a little more intimate, a little more paired back, and a little more messy for one night only: Halloween. This experience, called Monstrous Meltdown, invites haunt fans and trick-or-treaters alike to experience the magic of Prism’s original home haunt experiences. While there is no walkthrough portion, there is a walk-up portion where guests step into Dr. Sanguine’s lab to receive candy. But there’s no time limit to this, as most guests watched for ten or more minutes, partaking in the festivities, and deriving joy from the excitement of the many kids (and pets) that would play in the acidic residues rolling down the driveway.

Stepping into the driveway of Dr. Sanguine’s lab, he has set up a massive acid bath disposal tank that spews foam ten feet into the air to rain down on unsuspecting trick or treaters, leaving a trail of soapy foam for brave kids to play in. Prism Haunt’s movie-quality special effects and hideous creatures return, making this feel far more like a cinematic experience at a theme park than a home haunt in a residential neighborhood. The foam is released every ten to fifteen minutes, allowing guests to stay long enough to experience the conversion of creature to candy.

While the foam canon is the highlight of this experience, Prism Haunt 2023 clearly knows how to set a scene and draw a crowd. Their signature aesthetic of glowing green barrels and illuminated slime and sludge can be seen from a block away. It’s perfectly blended together with massive ducts, hanging skeletal remains, and a conveyer belt with neatly packaged creature parts. The details tell a story in a way that makes this experience feel real, thought-out, and probable. The narrative is hidden in the details—and while Dr. Sanguine does repeat this to trick-or-treaters, it does feel like we uncovered a “Soylent Green is People” secret hidden from those just wanting the candy.

With gorgeous sets and a clever premise, Prism Haunt 2023’s Monstrous Meltdown only adds a cherry on top with two distinct creatures (who we only hope is not going to be melted down into candy) roaming the property. These creatures do an incredible job of working the crowd, but providing jump scares for some of the onlookers who don’t realize there’s monsters among them. They also are happy (and friendly) enough to pose for pictures. But it’s Dr. Sanguine who provides the best crowd engagement, partially because he is the only character who talks, but also because he has the result of the Monstrous Meltdown: the candy. He jokes with the kids, providing such a nonchalant view to the horrors unfolding. He makes the scary friendly, and this makes Prism Haunt 2023 a very inviting experience for trick-or-treaters of all ages.

Prism Haunt 2023 is a cinematic experience that combines the messy, fun side of Halloween with the incredible sets, hideous monsters, and gorgeous sci-fi aesthetics that Prism is known for. Monstrous Meltdown is such a clever and fun way to deliver candy to trick-or-treaters, and Prism expertly takes the scary and presents it in a way that even the shyest kid can engage with. We love the passion, the excitement, and the heart put into this home haunt experience—and candy always tastes sweeter when you have to work for it.

For more information about Prism Haunt, check out their Facebook, Instagram, and website. For information about similar events, check out our Event Calendar.

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