REVIEW: beware the dark realm

OCTOBER 24, 2021

review: beware the dark realm

The work behind making a haunted house is complicated and exhausting. Most mazes pop up for a few seasons before disappearing forever. For most of their creators, haunted houses are a labor of love - often produced as a purely creative outlet to share with their local community. Unfortunately, we witness many amazing creations disappear overnight as people either move away or burn out. One of the local and rare exceptions to this haunter’s fatigue has been Santa Clarita’s “Beware the Dark Realm” - one of the most incredible haunts we have ever experienced. This season, this massive, epic haunt celebrates its 50th birthday - making it possibly one of the longest running community haunts in the world.

For the past five decades, Scott Sivley, with help from his family and friends, has magically transformed his suburban front yard into a very uniquely crafted medieval castle (and sometimes village). His work has made him a legend in the haunter community and has set the standard for what is possible to create within a home haunt. Additionally, his use of mechanics, maze design, and switchbacks has inspired the imaginations of multiple generations of builders.

Beware the Dark Realm is beautifully horrifying. As you wait in line to enter, you are dwarfed by the castle's massive, exterior walls that are festooned with skeletal remains and illuminated by a deep crimson glow. Sivley’s immense design talents create many magnificent illusions - like the castle seemingly having more depth thanks to the placement of columns that tower from the castle's innards. This scene is one of the most memorable sights to behold among L.A.’s Halloween attractions.

Once inside the castle you will crawl through moon and candle lit hallways that are filled with monsters and hellish entities. You often hear these creatures before you actually see them - thanks to the obfuscating thick and creeping fog. This tactic ensures that you will experience multiple surprises during your voyage through the medieval maze. This year, a special feature has been added in which you come face to face with a giant, caged dragon - to then be tricked into being trapped yourself.

Beware the Dark Realm constantly evolves each season - bringing new experiences and plenty of surprises each Halloween. We want this haunt to be around forever, and we hope that the rumors of the change of location next year will ensure its longevity. Sivley and his crew want to use a new and larger space in Santa Clarita next year, and possibly partner up with other local haunts. While we are sad for this to possibly be the last year of our beloved castle, we are excited to see what Sively and his haunt community conjure up next.

VC

October 24, 2021

Hauntsofla.com

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