The thrill of horror is a common experience for everyone, and this year at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights, it’s more engaging than ever.

For the first time, this popular event, which spans both coasts, will introduce a haunted house that uses American Sign Language. Based on “A Quiet Place,” this haunted house will portray the experiences of the deaf community, similar to the narratives presented in the two films.

“Authenticity is essential,” stated John Murdy, the creative director and executive producer of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood, during an exclusive behind-the-scenes preview shared with YSL News. “The filmmakers meticulously ensured that casting was genuine, emphasizing the importance of sign language to enhance the character of Regan. She is the protagonist in the story.”

“Regan won,” said Rikki Poynter, a deaf content creator and accessibility advocate, in her 2021 assessment of “A Quiet Place Part II.” “Hollywood often depicts deaf people as helpless, focusing on their challenges instead of their strengths.”

Both Regan Abbott, the character, and Millicent Simmonds, the actress who portrays her in the movies, are deaf—and they play heroic roles within the franchise and this haunted house. Universal Studios Hollywood is dedicated to making this attraction, along with Halloween Horror Nights, more inclusive.

What to Anticipate

As guests prepare to enter this Haunted House in Hollywood, they will first view a video entirely featuring open captions and ASL.

“We have cast a deaf actress, who is also an employee at Universal Studios Hollywood, to introduce the storyline you will experience, using only ASL,” Murdy explained. “She will share key phrases in American Sign Language that are vital for surviving in the post-apocalyptic environment of ‘A Quiet Place.’

Upon entering the haunted house, visitors will immediately notice a significant contrast from typical haunted experiences.

<p”In most horror experiences, music is constant, but here, as you wait in line, the music will stop,” Murdy clarified. “You won’t encounter any music throughout the house until the very end, where a distinctive song from the second film plays.”

Moreover, traditional spoken dialogue will be absent, apart from a few scripted scream moments. Instead, scare actors will be instructed in key ASL phrases. For instance, in an early segment of the house, the scare actor portraying Regan will caution visitors about lurking monsters by signing: “Don’t make a sound. They’ll hear you. Be quiet.”

“Naturally, we know our guests won’t exactly be quiet,” Murdy remarked with a grin. Pointing to a realistic and intimidating animatronic monster in the vicinity, he added, “This creature rises up and lunges at you, opening its mouth to scream right in your face.”

While the creatures won’t physically touch the visitors, they will feel low-frequency sounds through subwoofers. Universal Studios Hollywood has completely reimagined its audio approach for this haunted house.

Learning Opportunities

Poynter sees great value in this representation.

“It’s incredibly meaningful, particularly if done with care,” she, an avid horror enthusiast, shared with YSL News. “There’s still much for hearing individuals to grasp about the deaf community, and this setup offers a playful way to understand that world better.”

Murdy emphasized that he engaged in thorough research while designing this haunted house, collaborating with Universal’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team and other experts from the deaf community.

“Such thoughtful consideration ensures that guests who are deaf or hard of hearing can enjoy the attraction with equal access, fostering a greater feeling of inclusion for everyone,” commented Zainab Alkebsi, policy counsel for the National Association of the Deaf. The NAD is recognized as America’s leading civil rights organization for deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

This initiative allows guests who are deaf or hard of hearing to fully engage with and appreciate the experience, enhancing their sense of community and recognition. In general, it promotes the idea of being respected and understood within a larger societal context,” Alkebsi added, praising Universal Studios’ dedication to catering to diverse audiences.

Broadening Perspectives

“I enjoy challenging people’s notions of horror and presenting it to audiences in fresh ways,” Murdy remarked.

Folklore from Latin America is a key feature at Halloween Horror Nights in Hollywood, which has also showcased eerie stories from Asian cultures in the past. This year’s lineup presents a haunted house titled Monstruous 2: The Nightmares of Latin America and a unique scare zone called Luchadores Monstruosos specifically created for the Southern California venue.

Murdy acknowledges that the event’s loyal fans inspire much of the content. “Some years back, attendees approached me asking, ‘Are you familiar with La Llorona? Find out about La Llorona.’ It’s a well-known legend throughout Latin America,” he explained. “This piqued my curiosity, and upon investigating, I discovered a treasure trove of horror narratives from Mexico, South America, and Central America that resonate with our audience here in Los Angeles.”

Poynter, although she’s never attended HHN, has always wanted to experience it. She is excited for this year’s guests to engage with “A Quiet Place.”

“That really embodies the essence of Halloween Horror Nights!” she said. “This experience will definitely illustrate that communication can happen in various forms beyond just words, which will be fascinating. I wish I could be observing this unfold.”

Halloween Horror Nights opens on September 5 at Universal Studios Hollywood and on August 30 at Universal Orlando Resort.