Monsters Wanted

Monsters Wanted is an exciting documentary that delves into the realm of Halloween haunted attractions. Created by Brainchild Studios and directed by Brian Cunningham and Joe Laughrey, Monsters Wanted lays its focus on the behind-the-scenes creation and operation of a haunted attraction business. The film, released in 2013, stars Richard Teachout alongside Janel Nash and Kenneth Schell.

The movie unfolds by introducing you to Rich Teachout, an IT professional who leaves his comfortable corporate job to pursue his lifelong dream: transforming a run-of-the-mill hayride site into a spine-chilling walk-through haunted attraction. His persistent passion for Halloween and the scare industry becomes immediately obvious, sparking a level of admiration in viewers as they immerse themselves in the world of haunted attractions.

The film explores the fascinating, yet often misunderstood realm of the Halloween scare industry, showcasing every nerve-wracking detail that contributes to creating the perfect haunt. The narrative revolves around Teachout and his wife, Janel Nash, as they gamble their life savings, working around the clock along with their team, to start "Asylum Haunted Scream Park" in Louisville, Kentucky. The journey gets fraught with one particular challenge: making the venture a profitable enterprise while keeping the thrill-seeking audience stimulated, terrified, and entertained.

Complementary to Teachout and Nash's focus is Kenneth Schell, a seasoned actor in the haunting industry whose distinctive characterization adds an extensive layer to the fact that haunted houses aren't just for Halloween anymore. His unique personality and professional insight offer a different perspective on the attractions, thereby enhancing the intensity of the narrative.

This journey does not lack drama or tension, demonstrating the massive obstacles that Teachout, Nash, and their team face, from logistics to societal disapproval of their choice to build a business in the scare industry. The film neatly lays out the intricacies of building such an endeavour, starting from the original vision to the final scream-worthy product.

Monsters Wanted is more than just a surface-level documentary about a niche industry. Beyond the masks, scares, and screams, it dives into the heart of what makes the haunt industry tick: the shared experience of fear, the crafting of safe yet surreal immersive worlds, and the communal thrill of temporary, vicarious terror. The film brilliantly depicts how these haunted attractions allow people to step out of their everyday lives and dip their toes in a safe form of fear and adrenaline rush.

With its aesthetic lens and excellent storytelling, Monsters Wanted is a visually compelling film that's not just for horror enthusiasts, but for anyone who appreciates the passion poured into living a dream. It takes the audience on a riveting joy ride, exploring the highs and lows of haunted house operation and the deep-seated commitment it demands, even amid the nuanced challenges.

Impeccably paced, the film employs numerous interviews with employees, friends, and industry insiders to delve deeper into the enigmatic world of creating fear for fun. These interviews, interspersed with behind-the-scenes activities, provide viewers with a 360-degree view of the transformation from a barren field to a haunted park.

Further giving depth to the film are the uniquely crafted and visually interesting shots of the building process, where the verity of the challenge Teachout and his crew face is clearly depicted. You get to see an intricate mix of camaraderie, chaos, and struggle as they prepare for that perfect scare. The documentary also manages to wrap the suspense, anticipation, and excitement quite neatly – mirroring what one would expect at a real haunt.

This business's personal aspect adds a rich layer of investment to the story, as viewers get to root for the couple as they face adversity and struggle to get their dream project off the ground. This makes Monsters Wanted more than just a documentary – it is a rare chance for viewers to step through the curtain and understand the hidden dynamics of fear and fun making it a moving tribute to the indomitable spirit within dreamers everywhere.

Monsters Wanted is an intriguing documentary that manages to captivate its viewers, offering an insightful journey spilled with laughter, fear, challenge, and triumph, brilliantly pieced together by Brian Cunningham and Joe Laughrey as they explore the hidden world of haunt industry. From those merely interested in a unique entrepreneurial adventure to those invested in the haunt industry, the film has something entrancing to offer.