Bloody guts dangle from the ceiling, swaying as we make our way through a maze filled with bodies, scarecrows and towering corn stalks. Through the darkness, beams of sunlight creep in. It’s an unnerving scene, even though it’s daylight outside.
Halloween Horror Nights creative director and executive producer John Murdy cracks a smile as our crew collectively reacts with an “ewwwww” as we brush by what appears to be human entrails. Of course, it’s all an elaborate illusion pulled off by the folks responsible for some of the most terrifying modern horror films and from a studio that gave life to the original Universal monsters.
We were deep in the heart of one of Universal Studios Hollywood’s annual scare-a-thon’s newest attractions, Scarecrow: The Reaping, where Murdy’s crew was feverishly putting the finishing touches on scenes in an already elaborately detailed maze. He gave us tours of the attractions ahead of the event officially kicking off on Sept. 8 and running select evenings through Oct. 31.
