Haunters: The Art Of The Scare (2017) Reviews

• I felt so many emotions during this. One of the best documentaries out there.

  annakopsky2018-02-13

  "Haunters: The Art Of The Scare" had a great trailer that immediately got me pumped to give it a try - and I got so much more from this documentary than I expected! Director Jon Schnitzer put a lot of research, creativity, and soul into this project, and it really paid off. The production quality is on par with other high-budget documentaries I've seen and he interviewed huge names in the haunt industry (like the Creative Director for Universal Halloween Horror Nights and Russ McKamey of the interactive haunt McKamey Manor in California). I became emotionally invested in the people interviewed for this film who have been in the industry for years and are passionate about haunting. "Haunters" opened my eyes to make me realize the people in these haunts are actual human beings who get hurt while they're on the job, have to balance their own families with their love of Halloween, and that these haunts are affected by real-life tragedies and happenings as well. This is hands-down one of the best documentaries I've ever seen and I recommend it to anyone who's even mildly interested in the world of haunting.

• Unique, fun and horrifying

  ryanpardeiro-12018-02-03

  You better have a strong stomach to watch this one. It's funny, heart warming and disgusting all at once. A real trip into the darker sides of human consciousness with a healthy balance of inspiration. Very fun and awesome film.

• It's remarkable!

  btrflygirl2018-01-30

  Just WOW! This is a remarkable documentary that explores the blood, sweat and tears that goes into crafting a "perfect" haunt and the psychology behind our need or want to be scared. You'll see the extreme side to the haunting community. This ain't your Disneyland Haunted Mansion! So buckle up and be prepared for the ride! You'll laugh, you'll cry and you might get enraged too. BRAVO to it's creator and filmmaker Jon Schnitzer! It's a great piece of work! And it's completely worth the watch to hear legendary haunter Shar Mayers talk about her history in the industry and know her story. What an awesome individual!

• No easy answers in the world of Haunted House Attractions

  nicholasvince-312642018-01-23

  I'm based in the UK and Halloween really isn't as important as in the US. I've always wondered why that is. Haunters: The Art of the Scare, answered so many of my questions about the origins of the tradition of haunted house attractions and just what happens in them. Oh and why Americans have a dread of clowns, which seem to feature as monsters in haunts. For me, the mark of a true documentary is that the film maker doesn't comment on or judge the people who're the subject of their film. This is true here as Jon Schnitzer presents a variety of haunts and alternate views on their social and psychological aspects. He presents their stories with equanimity and I found myself loathing some and loving others. I found the part on the haunted house in a war zone fascinating and the scare actor Shar Mayer (and her 'haunt widower' husband) adorable. Insightful, moving, funny and sometimes disturbing, this is a film best watched with others for the debate over 'extreme haunts' which is bound to follow.

• Funny and scary and crazy, OH MY

  marchela9902017-10-09

  Easily one of my new favorite movies, and one of the best viewing experiences I've ever had in my 4 years attending Fantastic Fest. Its absurd, funny, scary, and exciting the whole way through and inspired me to immediately apply for a haunter position at House of Torment in Austin, TX. Thank you for making such a unique look into the craziness of extreme haunted houses! Shar is my new life inspiration!