Evil Intentions Haunted House 2019

Evil Intentions Haunted House
Elgin, IL
Reviewed on Friday, October 11, 2019

Evil Intentions Haunted House is one of the most unique haunted attractions in our market, and probably the nation for that matter. They have gained a reputation for being one of the scariest and creepiest haunted attractions around, and for good reason: they have a killer setting. Not only do they have residence inside an old multi-level factory, in a quiet, dark section of Elgin, but that factory just so happened to produce caskets in a former life. But, let’s dive in a little closer.

A staple on our Top 13 list since 2013, Evil Intentions took the Best Haunted Attraction of the Year award in 2017, and a very close 2^nd place in 2018. But, then something unexpected happened. After years of perfecting one amazing tour, they found out that they were no longer going to have their building for the 2019 season. As concern from fans started to circle, the crew of Evil Intentions got their second surprise of the off-season. While they were going to lose access to the south portion of the building they had come to love, they were offered access to the north portion of the building. Seemingly popping out of nowhere, this portion was much larger and offered the crew of Evil Intentions a much larger canvas.

The E.I. crew spent roughly five months to completely disassemble their old show, and then design a new show for the new space. Working tirelessly to put on the show they imagined, they even pushed back their advertised opening date a week.

As hordes of haunt fans awaited to see the new creations, the doors finally swung open and they were all treated to the new Evil Intentions-style masterpiece! For us, we had heard rumors, but finally had our chance to experience this completely new vision. With the feel of a new attraction, but designed by long-time vets, we were fully whisked away into a world of shadow… and not a moment too soon.

Just the sight of the building from the outside will send shivers down your spine. Entering the new waiting room, there are now multiple areas for wait line characters to play and roam, including a special area for our 2018 Jim Warfield Acting Award Winner, Dookie Dan. (There’s good news folks: His area now has an outhouse!)

Incorporating features of the building into the tour, we started our adventure by loading into a real casket factory freight elevator! After an exciting opening, we were lead to one of the largest rooms we have experienced in a haunted attraction. (Let’s call it the “ramp room.”) Using superb room design, patrons were lead around the outside and then cast right into the world within that they have created. From there, the rabbit hole dug deeper and deeper, and this room design technique would certainly resurface again.

This new tour included many classic E.I. scenes revamped, reworked, expanded, and improved. Mainstays like the church, monks, Satanists, “nun room,” swamp, farmhouse, and coffin maze were welcome back like a long-lost brother! Some of the new scenes included the school house, lunchroom, cage room, white room, and operating/observation room.

But, what is a playground without someone to climb on the monkey bars? Evil Intentions has actors/actresses seemingly everywhere! While there were definitely a number of standouts, like the girl in the school house, the majority of the show reflected a true ensemble performance. (Although no experience would be complete without a visit by Horsey, which managed to happen just by the skin of his teeth.) If the motto is, “one team, one dream,” then we are very excited to say we feel it is, “mission accomplished.”

The bottom line: The incredibly-talented veterans behind Evil Intentions truly shined and created another legendary haunted attraction. Not knowing what to expect in this new location, we were left speechless as we completed our maiden voyage. This place is dark, sinister, and one of the creepiest haunted attractions you will find anywhere! If you are looking to get scared, this is one of the very few places that might be able to put a guarantee right on the ticket.

But, don’t just take our word for it, check out these images from our visit: