The Uninvited: Awakening - Skeleton Key Experience
151 W 116th Street
New York, NY
The Uninvited: The Awakening is an immersive experience in the style of Sleep No More . Boasting a uniquely creepy environment within the historic architecture of Harlem's Graham Court Building, the Uninvited takes place in the seemingly unchanged cellar, which was once used as a turn-of-the-last-century stable. The vast basement is filled with a variety of horror sets from a room filled entirely with antique baby dolls to a dig-your-own grave room. The spirits trapped there provide you with company ranging from darkly comedic to chillingly uncomfortable. The immersive experience has a choose your own adventure feel to it and requires you to really explore your surroundings to get the most out of your time there.
The Skeleton Key Experience takes things to a more extreme level. The 2-hour experience begins like a general admission ticket, but after 45-min you are kidnapped by one of the spirits and locked into one of the many rooms. There are a variety of Skeleton Key Experiences, but they all incorporate an intensely dramatic monologue into an uncomfortable or terrifying activity. Depending on who kidnaps you, you might face being buried alive, strangled, or submerged in cold water.
IS IT SCARY?
According to the Official Website : “Yes. Our intentions are to give you nightmares for months to come. However, everyone’s interpretation of scary is different- so it will vary per victim. However, we strive to make you jump out of your skin."
The Raven & Black Cat says : The Uninvited has created an experience that can be tailored to the individual. From the biggest chicken to the bravest soul, the Uninvited: Awakening has something for everyone. Whether you're looking to be entertained or terrified is up to you.
WHAT WE LOVED
Chatting with the Lillians and the creepy static-electricity-loving clown will easily put you on edge. Look forward to getting up close and personal with the spirits hiding in the seemingly empty long dark underground hallways. Other highlights include the Skeleton Key Experience, the Antique Doll Room, and having your Tarot Cards read.
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
The historic basement environment was so amazing that I wished that the sets were more interactive and that there was more to explore. It would have been amazing if every drawer you encountered contained something repulsive or mysterious inside.
The Skeleton Key Experience would have been even more over the top if you were able to experience more than one "kidnapping." The experiences were so varied that you left wishing you got to experience more than one, but at the $100+ price point it is unlikely that many people will be willing/able to return for more.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Uninvited succeeds in creating a uniquely terrifying environment that allows visitors to choose the level of horror that they wish to experience. It is a ghastly good time.
