Universal Monsters return to this year’s Halloween Horror Nights (HHN), in the brand-new haunted house “Universal Monsters: Unmasked”. Sure to terrify us, this house leans on Universal’s legacy of horror films by bringing some rare classic monsters to life. Are you ready to go down under the streets of Paris with me and learn more?
“Universal Monsters: Unmasked” — Rare Characters and a New Setting
Descend into the Paris Catacombs, where you and your squad will face a new horde of Monsters: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Phantom of the Opera, the Hunchback of Notre Dame and the Invisible Man.
When the all-new haunted house “Universal Monsters: Unmasked” was announced for HHN 2023, the first thing I noticed was the unique cast of characters. Fans that attended last year’s event will remember that the phenomenal Universal “Monsters: Legends Collide” house featured three monsters: The Mummy, The Wolfman, and Dracula. This year, featuring Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Phantom of the Opera, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and the Invisible Man, already sets this house apart. The Art and Design team wanted to use the Monsters haunted house as “an opportunity to take these monsters who have been ‘in the shadows’ of the ones we see all the time and bring them to the forefront — put them in the spotlight!” Charles explains.
The designs for these characters were inspired by their first Universal film appearances and, as Charles describes, “each of these characters are true to the base material, but we’ve updated the look just a little bit.” Guests can expect creative changes to the characters, like a unique new mask for the Phantom of the Opera, or an intimidating new style for Dr. Jekyll’s nefarious alter-ego, Mr. Hyde. “It’s a little more modern-horror overlay,” Charles says of the changes, “so we’ve really beefed up the horror factor in this house.”
This brings me to the second thing I noticed about this house when it was announced: the setting. Paris, France, has only been used as a setting for a handful of scare zones and houses over the life of Halloween Horror Nights — “Dead Exposure: Patient Zero” is a recent example from 2018, and another is “Catacombs: Black Death Rising”, one of my personal favorites from 2010. But having such a historic, beautiful city house these grotesque classic monsters is an interesting juxtaposition.
Collaboration Brings the Experience to Life on Both Coasts
Universal’s Art and Design teams in Orlando and Hollywood worked together this year to create an aligned story and design for “Universal Monsters: Unmasked.” Charles explains that this cross-country collaboration deeply impacts the result: “I think that kind of creative united-front only makes it better in the sense of both of [our teams] being passionate about it.” Partnering on new experiences featuring such beloved horror icons makes it even sweeter, he adds. “It’s just part of our DNA, you know? So we all want to take care of them and put them in the best light we can.”
I ask Charles why the Art and Design team chose Paris as the location for this haunted house, and he explains that the conversation started with the fact that two of the featured characters are from Paris: The Phantom of the Opera and the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Although the other two, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and the Invisible Man are from England, the team felt like it would be more interesting to bring the English characters to Paris for this story. Both characters were “run out of town,” in a way, for their crimes. “It just so happened that they both landed in Paris and they’re in hiding and starting to attack on the same night that all the other things are happening, so we have all four out on the same night,” Charles continues.
Based on what I learned about the character inspiration and story, “Universal Monsters: Unmasked,” I have no doubt that it will be a frightfully delightful experience for horror fans at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood this year.
Inside “Universal Monsters: Unmasked”
This is the pandemonium that guests will encounter when they enter “Universal Monsters: Unmasked”: Paris in chaos with four monsters wreaking havoc, while we try to navigate our way through the city — both above ground and below — to find safety. Charles describes the opening scene as “whoa, we’re in the middle of the city and how do we get out of here? Where is safety?” which will lead us right under the Paris Opera House, home to the Phantom of the Opera.
Our 1st Encounter: Phantom of the Opera
In “Universal Monsters: Unmasked,” we get to experience the Paris Opera House like the Phantom does — visiting all of his favorite “haunts,” including the underground caverns that hold his lair and the theater’s dressing rooms where he secretly attempted to woo Christine. Taking place years after the events in the 1925 film, this reimaging occurs at the end of Christine’s singing career. We’ll see the Phantom’s horrific reaction as the Opera attempts to replace her with a new performer, unleashing his rage on patrons and performers alike.
After narrowly escaping his retribution, we end up running into The Invisible Man.
Our 2nd Encounter: Invisible Man
As we are introduced to The Invisible Man in this year’s haunted house, we learn that the personality of his character aligns closely with his appearance in the 1933 film “The Invisible Man.” The Invisible Man in the film is emotionally volatile — sometimes playful, gleefully teasing and toying with his victims, and sometimes angry, vengeful, and murderous toward anyone getting in the way of his plans. The villain we “see” in the haunted house really emphasizes this dichotomy — you can hear his teasing, taunts, and anger from the moment you lay eyes on the opening façade!
After fleeing from The Invisible Man, we stumble upon another experiment gone wrong by Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Our 3rd Encounter: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
As we pass through a Parisian square, we discover that Dr. Jekyll is attempting to sell the drug he invented that releases his rowdier half. By the time we stumble into his scene, the villainous Mr. Hyde is running the show — and running wild! No one is safe from his aggression and impulsivity, but can Dr. Jekyll regain control before the massacre begins?
We may not find out before we make our way to Notre Dame Cathedral to find the Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Our 4th Encounter: Hunchback of Notre Dame
When we approach Notre Dame Cathedral, Quasimodo oversees our arrival. He discovered that harm has come to his only friends, Dom Claude and Esmerelda, who were characterized so kindly in the 1923 film “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” He enshrines his companions and their loss causes him to lash out in anger at anyone that disturbs him. Unfortunately, in our quest to get to safety on this chaotic night in Paris, we stumble into this sacred scene and receive the Hunchback’s wrath.
Are you ready to face these monsters in the dark streets of Paris? Let us know on social media or in the comments below! You can also learn all about the HHN Lore in our A Beginner’s Guide to Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights Lore.
No Comments