This Chilling Hulu Documentary Provides a Fascinating Look at a Notorious ‘Extreme Haunt’
I’ve heard horror stories about McKamey Manor and the unsavory practices that transpire within. But I never realized how real the hype is. I used to think no haunt could be as horrifying as McKamey Manor’s infamous reputation suggests and continue to operate. But it turns out this extreme haunt is every bit as intense as you’ve heard. Possibly even worse. The Hulu original documentary Monster Inside: America’s Most Extreme Haunted House pulls back the curtain and gives viewers a voyeuristic tour through the notorious destination. The documentary functions as an unflinching profile of a sadist (founder Russ McKamey) in his natural habitat. It’s jarring, unsettling, and infuriating. But the film is surely worth a look for anyone curious about what extreme haunts are really like.
The Hulu doc presents viewers with real photographs and video footage from the haunt and the evidence presented is shocking. We’re not talking about minor cuts and scrapes. People leave McKamey Manor with their heads shaved, fat lips, bruises all over their bodies, and worse. That’s to say nothing of the long-term psychological damage inflicted on participants.
Monster Inside provides an in-depth analysis of what draws people to extreme haunts despite the physical and psychological damage sometimes associated with such establishments. That aspect is particularly intriguing to me. I enjoy an adrenaline rush—I love roller coasters and haunted houses and horror movies. So, I can relate to chasing that high. But the idea of willingly subjecting oneself to torture and signing a 40-page waiver sanctioning it remains puzzling. Director Andrew Renzi sheds light on extreme haunt culture and features a psychologist with expertise in PTSD and trauma to speak to the particulars from a clinical standpoint.
Also Read: This Harrowing Netflix Documentary Will Leave You Speechless
The Hulu documentary is informative and avoids treating the participants profiled as freakish or damaged. Renzi delicately explains that subjecting oneself to torture by way of an extreme haunt may provide relief from deep-seated emotional pain through the infliction of physical pain. People who engage in certain acts of self-harm are often seeking a similar sense of relief.
Self-harm is a very sensitive subject for good reason. But the topic is handled respectfully here. Renzi gives the participants a platform to tell their stories without judgment and avoids sensationalizing the details of their pain. It’s heartbreaking to see people experiencing such dire emotional turmoil. But it’s informative to hear them bravely telling their stories.
In addition to providing a psychological profile of extreme haunt enthusiasts, the doc also delves into one of the most fascinating aspects of McKamey Manor: the legality of the attraction. The haunt requires participants to sign a waiver before the ‘tour’ commences. But that doesn’t mean McKamey and company are bulletproof. In fact, Monster Inside profiles an attorney and examines the various ways in which Russ McKamey could still be held liable for the violence he inflicts.
Also See: This Shocking True Crime Documentary Profiles the Most Toxic Romance of All Time—And It’s Streaming Now
Then there’s the examination of McKamey’s fanbase. There is a very vocal group of Russ McKamey enthusiasts who follow him like a cult leader. They take his every word as gospel and will defend him to the death. The toxic online culture he has created makes it difficult for abuse victims to speak out. That coupled with the illusion that the liability waiver is iron-clad has surely kept people from coming forward.
The doc concludes by showcasing an extreme haunt similar to McKamey Manor that implements and utilizes a safe word so no one is trapped inside the experience without a means of escape. That presumably makes for a much healthier experience and gives participants at least some autonomy. Regardless of the controversy, there is an audience for extreme haunts. And it is fascinating to learn about what goes on in that subculture.
My primary negative critique of the doc pertains to the set design. Some of the décor staged at the interview sites is over-the-top. The filming locations look like they’re pulled from a Saw film. Commentators weigh in with flickering television sets displaying static in the background. That aspect is distracting and places style over substance in a way that detracts from the presentation. I understand Renzi’s desire to nod to the aesthetic of the attraction. But I wish that piece had been toned down.
All things considered, Monster Inside is a compelling presentation likely to appeal to anyone curious about how McKamey Manor came by its reputation as the most extreme haunt on earth. You can check the film out on Hulu now.
Categorized:Editorials
