Escape rooms are a big thing these days, and for good reason. They’re the natural extension of those murder mystery parties people used to have (I never did, and I’m still sad about it) and they force people to use their problem solving and teamwork skills in a real-life role-playing exercise. If they’re done well, they can be so fun, and maybe also a bit terrifying. If Fantastic Fest has its way, though, the experience might LITERALLY* destroy your soul. For the 2016 iteration of the popular Austin-based genre film festival, they are unveiling the Satanic Panic Room.
*of course not literally
The Satanic Panic Room will open on Friday, September 23 and will be available for bookings throughout the Fantastic Fest and indeed through all of October in the scary bowels of The Highball, the lounge right next to the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar location in Austin, TX. This isn’t your average room de escape; victims–er, players–will have to appease the Dark Lord himself. Four attendees at a time will be led into the room, blindfolded, wearing ritualistic robes, and will be shackled and given 45 minutes to solve a series of “exciting, innovative, and demonically difficult” puzzles in a room steeped in Satanic cult atmosphere. IF you succeed, you’ll get to rule Hell by Satan’s side; lose, and you’ll be met with eternal damnation as the demon’s next sacrifice.
Designed with fiendish care and delight by Bottleneck Immersive, working closely with the Alamo Drafthouse team, the Satanic Panic Room promises both fun and frights—just what horror fans are hoping for. You can book your time in the escape room by visiting their website, SatanicPanicRoom.com.
Each and every year, we get excited for the new batch of films screening at Fantastic Fest, hoping against hope we’ll get to see them soon in our own home or a theater near us. This year, running from September 22-29, is of course no exception. We’re going to be on the ground for Fantastic Fest 2016 and will bring you up to the minute news, reviews, interviews, videos, and more! Stay tuned to Nerdist throughout the month for more about Fantastic Fest!
Here’s some fall movies we’re real excited about!
Image: Alamo Drafthouse/Bottleneck Immersive
