Demons, pocong, Karak highway ghost and pontianak are eerie names that will send shivers down your spine. Growing up, I was terrified by horror film characters like Ju-On, Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam; the worst ones are any exorcism-based movies. I’ll be sleeping with the lights on for sure.
That’s why I knew my worst nightmares would come true when I was assigned to attend the annual Nights of Fright in Sunway Lagoon.
Spooky season @ Sunway: A decade of screams
Every year, Sunway Lagoon transforms into a horror theme part for the entire month, aptly named, Nights of Fright (NOF). This year marked a special milestone, its 10th anniversary meant more ghouls prowling the grounds. A whopping 200 “ghost actors” will be roaming the park, ensuring no corner will be safe from terror.
In celebration of its decade-long legacy, NOF revived fan-favourite characters from past years. From the horror version of Alice in Wonderland, to the Islands of the Dolls, and the infamous Texas Chainsaw Massacre, these familiar faces were back to haunt us.
They also brought in new additions, scary themes like Silent Hill, The Van Helsing Adventure, Jack the Ripper, The Bone Man, and even ancient folklore. There are eight haunted houses and four scare zones to check out.
And of course, the roaming characters were also just as unnerving. I even spotted a toyol (an undead infant in Indonesian and Malay folklore) wearing a diaper. Cute, but only until it starts following you around!
Revisiting NOF: Then vs now
This wasn’t my first rodeo at Nights of Fright. I’ve been dragged to it twice before, thanks to my friends. As someone with an aversion to haunted houses, I was praying for my life each time. The earlier NOF horror parks had fewer haunted houses, and the experience was shorter. Two minutes in and I was out, thinking, “That’s it?”
While the characters were still hauntingly eerie, I wished there was more interaction. The final show though, was festive and entertaining, which managed to make the night memorable despite my phobia.
This year, however, the experience was amped out. The haunted houses were longer in duration, taking around five minutes to walk through. The jump scares were relentless, and when you least expected them. It felt more immersive and interactive this time around.
One of the best parts of Nights of Fright 10 was the inclusion of Asian ghosts and local horror settings, like the Karak Highway. It brought back childhood (and even adult) fears, making the experience more personal and spine-chilling.
There’s just something about seeing your cultural nightmares come to life that makes it hit harder.
The haunting at Alice’s 3D house wasn’t giving
Though I didn’t visit all the haunted houses (still a coward, after all), one that stood out for the wrong reasons was the Alice in Wonderland 3D house. Initially, the idea of a twisted take on the classic fairy tale intrigued me, and I was excited to see how they would bring this to life. Unfortunately, it fell flat.
I was hoping to see detailed makeup and a grotesque portrayal of the characters, but the scares were too rushed. Most of the ghouls jump scared us from small windows and were gone before I could take a good look at them.
Even the guides, who were supposed to direct us, looked like regular people in costumes rather than horrifying versions of Alice in Wonderland characters.
But these haunted houses were slaying!
Of all the haunted houses I explored, Summer Camp Nightmares was hands down my favourite. From the moment I stepped in, the storytelling got my attention.
A distressed girl begging for help set the tone, and then—bam!—the Texas Chainsaw Massacre character appears, behind her, no less. That’s how the true terror begins, with the sound of the chainsaw following at every turn.
Another must-go was Silent Hill. Though I’m not familiar with the movie or video game, the portrayal of the characters, the distinct atmosphere and jump scares of each room made it an unforgettable walkthrough.
Overall thoughts on Nights of Fright 10
With so many ghost characters this year, it seemed that some of the designs became repetitive. Many featured the same powdered faces, bloody scars, and white contact lenses.
That said, the makeup overall was more realistic than in previous years, so I have to give credit to NOF10 for upping their game in that department. Still, I would have loved to see more variety in the character aesthetics and designs.
In terms of interactivity, Horrorwood Studios uses lights installations to guide your walkthrough, creating a hypnotic experience. Missing your path meant wandering helplessly while horror characters from the studio jump scare you. Guides also explained the story behind the ghost for each area, adding an extra layer of excitement and dread.
NOF10 delivered in terms of the scares, with more ghostly characters and creative hideouts for jump scares. While some haunted houses were lacklustre, the roaming characters made up for it. Just remember the golden rule: don’t touch them, and they won’t do the same to you too.
Nights of Fright may not be for the faint-hearted, but it’s perfect for horror enthusiasts looking to have a spooky good time. Just make sure none of your friends or family isn’t sensitive to strobe lights, or you know, prone to heart attacks.
Living with the horrors of life
After a decade of Nights of Fright, I’ve come to realise that these haunted attractions are designed to make us face our worst fears. It’s not just about surviving the jump scares; it’s a metaphor for life.
From the stress of paying bills to navigating relationships, the real horror often lies in what we have to endure every day. And just like in Nights of Fright, we all do our best to survive and face our fears.
Sunway Lagoon presents Nights of Fright 10
Address: 3, Jalan PJS 11/11, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Opening hours: Open daily, 7:30pm -11pm
Price: RM128 (Admission ticket) + RM98 (Express pass). For more info check out Sunway Lagoon’s website page.
You should also check out: This hauntingly good RM10 Nasi Ayam Penyet is named after the horrifying Malay legend Mak Lampir
