We were very kindly invited to this year's Scream Factory. Whilst we were given free entry to the event, we have full editorial control of what our review of the event says.
OUR SLASHER REVIEW
We excitedly return to Scream Factory at Kirkleatham after a couple years, finding the event thrilling as ever. After receiving wristbands, we enjoyed the hub area with a DJ, entertainment, food stalls, bars, and merchandise. This year's event features eight themed scare zones, starting with the fun yet frightening Killer Clowns, followed by the disorienting Dystopia. The Mechanics in Meat The Mechanics showcased impressive gory sets, while the new for 2024, Tunnel of Terror, delivered intense scares in narrow corridors. We also experienced the Demented Dimension, known for its effective scares, although Waking The Dead left little impression. The Stranger Things-inspired zone, The Strangest Things, has beautiful sets but lacked sufficient actors. The final zone, Toxic, involved navigating with blackout goggles and was surprisingly enjoyable despite my usual dislike for such attractions.
Overall, Scream Factory provided a night full of laughs and screams, great atmosphere and friendly staff and I can't recommend enough.
Top Tips - If you can, book an Isolation tour
Things that bite - Nothing
Value for Money - Yes
Scare Rating - 4.5/5
Do we recommend - Yes
OUR STALKER REVIEW
It’s been a couple of years since I last visited Scream Factory on Kirkleatham and I must admit I was quite excited to get back. Scream Factory has always been a great night full of scares and this year certainly didn't disappoint. We wandered down the little hidden alley way to the event, were given our coloured wristbands for our entry and time got to chill in the hub area. This area plays home to a DJ, some roaming characters who are there to both scare and entertain, some food stalls, a couple of bars and some merchandise.
Scream Factory is made up of eight scare zones this year, each with a different theme, that you go through one at a time in one long walk. The first zone you face is Killer Clowns. This brightly coloured zone is full of fun and scares combined and the actors were on top form. They use the space very well and its a great warm up to what lies ahead. Next up was Dystopia and this was a short area that always leaves an impression. Its such a simple idea but its so disorientating. You don't know where you are going, what you are going to see or who is hiding.
After exiting this area we were greeted by the Mechanics in Meat The Mechanic. This area is a very well themed area and all you want to do is explore the glorious gory sets but as your eyes dart round you will be bombarded and surprised by the actors in the area trying to eat you. Next up was the new for 2024 zone, The Tunnels of Terror. This was a highlight of the evening for me as it was just a constant bombardment of scares. From narrow feeling, dimly lit corridors, to scare actors coming out from every angle, it really was one of the most terrifying zones of the night.
The next two zones we went through were the Demented Dimension and Waking The Dead. I ask forgiveness for this next bit as I don't really remember much about the Waking The Dead zone, so I can't really say anything about it, but I do remember the nuns in the Demented Dimension. This zone was full of actors and had some well timed scares, including one that had me deep voice screaming. After an innuendo filled encounter with a reverend it was time for their next zone The Strangest Things. This Stranger Things inspired zone has some beautiful sets and the potential for some great scares but during my run it was quite low on actors and it had quite a bit dead space where I think there could have been actors.
The last zone of the night was Toxic. This is a hooded attraction without the hoods. instead of bags over the head you wear black out goggles as you follow a rope. Now, anyone who knows me knows I have a disliking for hooded attractions. I find them generally lazy and boring, but I enjoyed Toxic. It wasn't the scariest attraction but it was a lot of fun and you could tell how hard the actors were working to try to scare you. They use various methods including water, touch and noise and it was just a lot of fun.
Scream Factory was a great night full of laughs and screams. Its got such a great atmosphere from start to finish and all the staff we encountered were just so lovely. Its such a great night and one I highly recommend.
Glad you had a good time