Meet the mysterious Killuminati and catch highlights from the exciting Halloween Horror Nights 8 Press Conference to learn more about this year’s unique haunted houses!
Universal Studios Singapore unveiled the line-up of Halloween Horror Nights 8 (HHN8) in a rather spectacular way, giving the media a first look at the Killuminati haunted house at the press briefing held in KT’s Grill restaurant.
This entry is split into 3 parts: Killuminati: Ceremonial Sacrifice, HHN8 Press Briefing covering insider info on this year’s haunted houses, and Mysteries of the Killuminati – a section where we can all speculate and discuss this secretive cult.
Killuminati: Ceremonial Sacrifice
This rather shady guy stood out at the press conference. That thick chain necklace, bluetooth headset poking out his ear, toothpick in his mouth, rolled-up sleeves exposing his tattoos – it almost seemed like typical gangster business.
He approached me and introduced himself as the ‘Red Pole’ – then he asked if I know what I was in for. “So you’re Triad? I guess we’re meeting the Dragon Head then?”
“Oh – so you know! But this is more than a Triad. And what you will see later is going to change your life forever”, he insisted. The guy went around telling everyone to sign some pledge papers and rehearse the important lines for later.
I Pledge My Life to The Killuminati.
I Pledge My Life to Lu Xi Fa.
As time passed by, people started to take notice of these cloaked strangers.
Who are these phantoms?
Fog started to drift into the restaurant, and the room fell silent. A wall pulled apart, revealing an eerie chamber.
The cloaked cultists escorted us in, and started reciting “I Pledge My Life to The Killuminati”, while holding their hands up to form the Triangle handsign.
A tall figure with a haunting visage walked in. He is the leader of the Killuminati, Lu Xi Fa.
The cultists demanded those who signed the pledge to tear the papers and place it on the sacrifice. Then, their leader began to pour blood from a skull into a chalice. Two members of the media almost lost it when they assisted with the ritual, dripping blood onto the corpse.
In a booming voice, Lu Xi Fa finally spoke:
光照恩賜你永生!
gwong1 ziu3 jan1 ci3 nei5 wing5 saang1
(“May Light give you Life!”)
He continued to chant, becoming louder each time. Then a bell rang.
It sounded like bones cracking; the body started to turn. A bat-like creature bursted out.
Cultists lifted the convulsing creature, and it jumped onto a helpless woman watching the ceremony, before scurrying off. The woman fainted from the shock and was taken away by the Killuminati. A bell rang again.
永生…Infinite Fear!
Welcome to Halloween Horror Nights 8!
Unveiling Halloween Horror Nights 8
We’ve just been treated to a early peek at the Ceremonial Sacrifice, a scene from the Killuminati haunted house that fans will be able to experience at a much larger scale. And now, back to normalcy…
Markham, Gemma and Michele from USS Entertainment Team briefed the media on the theme and concepts for Halloween Horror Nights 8.
This year’s theme of Infinite Fear is a play on the number 8. Turn it and you’ll see the infinity symbol ∞. Expect countless screams, boundless nightmares and endless cycles of terror.
Gemma and Michele
On the Killuminati, Gemma shared that this is about Chinese secret society of upper-class businessmen keeping deadly secrets. The story is set in Hong Kong and by experiencing the house, you will learn what it takes to join this centuries-old vampire cult.
Killuminati haunted house concept art (© Resorts World Sentosa)
Gemma: “So we have the sacrifice, the ritual, the initiation, the first feed of the vampires. The more you venture into this house, you can see them devolve into these bat-like demonic creatures. And of course you’ll meet the iconic divine leader himself, Lu Xi Fa.”
Gemma: “For the first time, we are going to have a theatrical pre-show at the start of the house. Guests will go into the sacrificial arena and become part of the ritual. Things will take a turn of the worst, and we will rip our guests out of their comfort zones, take them away from their partners and friends, pushing them into two separate paths.”
If you enjoy revisiting haunted houses, you’ll love Killuminati even more. A repeat visit may let you experience another side of the story when you take a different path. Also, lucky guests may discover its secret rooms and get an opportunity for a one-on-one immersive experience with defectors that are plotting to take down the Killuminati cult.
Gemma: “So not only will these guests get to the secrets of the cult, they will also get to become part of the action.”
The park is sharpening their stunt scare strengths, and we’ll be able to see many stunt acts in this year’s houses. Flying vampires are a go.
Pontianak haunted house concept art (© Resorts World Sentosa)
Michele on Pontianak: “This is the first time that Pontianak has her own house, and we think she really deserves it. She is a character that resonates with South-East Asians. So we are going to tell the story of the Pontianak – almost chapter by chapter. This is the perfect time for us to use all the superstitions – so there will be the scent of Jasmine…”
Yikes – but then again, yes please!
Michele: “We’ve always believed that Asia is a treasure trove for us when it comes to horror. For the first time we’ve turned our attention on Japan. For the The Haunting of Oiwa, we’ve used Japan’s most famous ghost. The Japanese considers this as the original horror story that has set the benchmark for all Japanese horror. Set in the age of the Samurai, Lady Oiwa was betrayed by her husband who poisoned her. She becomes deformed and starts to lose her hair. Her distinctive look, a droopy left eye and deformed half face, has inspired characters in movies like The Grudge and The Ring.”
Lady Oiwa haunts her unfaithful husband in a very particular way, by manifesting her deformed face everywhere – in the lanterns, even on the face of his new wife and father-in-law. He ends up killing them all.
Michele: “We want to stay true to this legend, so for this house we are using hologram technology to recreate the spirit of Lady Oiwa floating around.”
Markham elaborated on Pagoda of Peril, the “signature Chinese” house this year: “The iconic character here is the Yin demon and he traps spirits and feeds off them for eternal power. When you get past the Ghost of Impermanence in the Arrival Hall, you will then be transported to the different realms of this Pagoda.”
The Chinese name of this house, 五层妖塔 (lit. five-tiered demon pagoda), hints that there might be five major areas in this Pagoda. It will include realms of the spirits, beasts, demons, Yin’s Lair, and even a ‘jade maze’. Apart from the usual scare actors, larger-than-life puppets will be doing the scaring in these supernatural realms.
And what about the design of the Stranger Things house?
Markham: “As a guest, we will be joining the search to find Will. We want die-hard fans to relive the environments and scenes that are in the series.”
While Singapore is creating a Stranger Things house along with the other two parks in the US, all three houses are not exactly the same – they will share similar iconic scenes. Stranger Things will be the largest house ever built in Singapore with 12 scenes. And if you don’t know anything about the story, clips from the series will be screened in the queue to bring you up to speed. Sounds great for those who don’t plan to binge watch the series on Netflix.
Halloween Horror Nights 8 – Original Short Films
Fans who can’t wait for HHN8 to start can look forward to three original short films produced to feature the stories and characters that will bring us Infinite Fear. Stay tuned for updates here. You’re always welcomed to share your thoughts about the stories and tell me what you’ve spotted in the shorts.
Pontianak
Killuminati
Pagoda of Peril
Mysteries of the Killuminati
Since you’re already here, let’s discuss the Killuminati. From here on it’s my own commentary.
Killuminati concept art (© Resorts World Sentosa)
I assume the Killuminati haunted house logo has elements inspired by the Illuminati’s most iconic symbol: the Eye of Providence. Our new favourite vampire cult fashioned their emblem with an Inverted Triangle and 永生 (eternal life) inside. The triangle is surrounded with a ring of bat motifs which is a nod to the ‘rays’ of the Eye, and maybe that’s why it’s upside down. And oh, the words 会道门 read “secret society” – well, in case you don’t know they’re both an organised crime syndicate and vampire cult.
“Light” and “Illumination” was mentioned in the Sacrifice/ Birthing Ceremony earlier, referencing the cult’s method of achieving eternal life.
The name of the divine leader of this cult, Lu Xi Fa (路西法), is the Chinese phonetic equal of Lucifer. A name with many meanings, but most commonly associated with the Devil. The cantonese pronunciation is lou6 sai1 faat3 in jyutping though, so I wonder how this will be handled by the performers.
The details on Lu Xi Fa’s outfit and the look of the Killuminati Castle at the HHN website suggests that he may have originated from the West. The chains of fengshui coins around his face, while quite an interesting fashion choice, is not something I could explain. Your thoughts?
This gangster introduced himself as the Red Pole. I’m not sure if he was just kidding, but that’s the title of a senior triad member who usually leads his own faction in the clan, and is also the head of the clan’s militant arm. Even the syndicates needs to diversify their operations, ya’kno. The Red Pole is the Enforcer of the clan’s rules, or in this case, possibly the cult’s rituals. Depending on the clan structures, Red Pole may succeed the Chairman (also known as the Dragon Head) and become leader of the secret society.
Anyway, this guy seems to be quite normal compared to the rest, so maybe he’s a shapeshifter vampire, maybe he’s a defector, or maybe he’s undercover HKPF. *shock!*
If you can’t get enough of this, go watch the ‘Infernal Affairs’ (无间道) films or play the ‘Sleeping Dogs’ video game.
Lastly, the ceremonial masks worn by the cultists. There could be some meaning behind them – two distinctive designs are shown in this group picture. What do you think?
Halloween Horror Nights 8 Full Reveal
For the full HHN8 line-up, ticket prices, discounts, calendar and all the details you need, hop over to the HHN8 REVEALED post now! Meanwhile, you can enjoy other articles in the archive from past Halloween Horror Nights events.
Halloween Horror Nights 12 (2024)
HHN12 REVEALED: Ticket and Event Guide
HHN12 MEGA REVIEW: Photo Tour of all haunted houses, scare zones, shows and Special Experience
Special Features
Under The Castle by TEAM WANG design | Netflix's Sweet Home
Cursed Scrolls: Dynasty of Darkness
HHN12 BEFORE DARK: Day Tour of Halloween Horror Nights 12 setup
Universal Beijing Resort (UBR) 2024
Scares @ Universal 2024 Event Guide
Halloween Horror Nights – The Archives
Click to Expand and see all posts from past Halloween Horror Nights
Halloween Horror Nights 11 (2023)
HHN11 REVEALED: Ticket and Event Guide
Sneak Preview: DIYU: Descent Into Hell, Rebirth of the Matriarch, Icons and more
Halloween Horror Nights 11 MEGA Review: Photos of all Haunted Houses and Scare Zones
HHN11 RIP TOUR (VIP Tour) Review
Features on Haunted Houses, Scare Zones and Experiences
Grimm Encounters | The Weeknd: After Hours Til Dawn Nightmare
Judgement Day (Opening Scaremony) | Netflix's All of Us Are Dead
DIYU: Descent Into Hell | Rebirth of the Matriarch
Dead Man's Wharf | The Cursed Kiramam
The Hacker + The Hacker: GAME OVER
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) 2023
Halloween Horror Nights 2023/ HAHAHA! Halloween Party! Event Guide
Halloween Horror Nights 10 (2022)
HHN10 REVEALED: Ticket and Event Guide
Halloween Horror Nights 10 MEGA Review: Photos of all Haunted Houses and Scare Zones
SPECIAL FEATURE: Behind the Scenes at HHN10 Haunted Houses
HHN10 RIP Tour (VIP Tour) Review
Features on Haunted Houses, Scare Zones and Experiences
The Silenced Auction (Opening Scaremony) | DIE-ning with The Dead | Monsters & Manifestations
Escape The Breakout | Killustrator: The Final Chapter | Hospitality of Horror
Operation: Dead Force | The Hunt for Pontianak | Dark Zodiac
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) 2022
USJ Halloween Horror Nights 2022 Review and Photo Tour
Trick or Thrills (2021)
Halloween Horror Nights Exhibition
2021 Day and Night Halloween: DIE-ning with the Dead, Universal Monsters Scream Alley | Zany Zombies and IT'S SHOWTIME! Premium Experience
Halloween Horror Nights 9 (2019)
HHN9 REVEALED: Ticket and Event Guide
Halloween Horror Nights 9 MEGA REVIEW
SURVIVAL GUIDE for Halloween Horror Nights 9
HHN9 RIP Experience (VIP Tour)
Features on Haunted Houses, Scare Zones and Experiences
The Chalet Hauntings Revisited | Spirit Dolls | Hell Block 9
Curse of The Naga Revisited | Twisted Clown University
Dead End | Death Fest + Death Fest LIVE
2019 Opening Scaremony (The Undertaker)
SNEAK PREVIEW: Curse of The Naga | The Chalet Hauntings | Behind The Scenes of HHN9
HHN9 Construction Updates (BEFORE DARK)
Part 1 | Part 2 (with Daytime Halloween event) | Part 3 (Horror Truck) | Part 4
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) 2019
Universal Surprise Halloween/ Halloween Horror Nights 2019 Event Guide
Halloween Horror Nights 8 (2018)
Meet the Killuminati / The Ceremonial Sacrifice (HHN8 press conference)
HHN8 Construction Updates (BEFORE DARK): Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
FIRST LOOK: Stranger Things haunted house with Behind the scenes tour
Halloween Horror Nights 8 COMPLETE REVIEW
SURVIVAL GUIDE: HHN8 Tips, Strategies and Secrets
HHN8 RIP (VIP) TOUR and Behind the Screams (BTS) Tour review
Features on Haunted Houses, Scare Zones and Experiences
INFINITE FEAR Opening Scaremony show | Zombie Laser Tag 2018
Pagoda of Peril | The Haunting of Oiwa | Stranger Things | Pontianak | Killuminati
Apocalypse: Earth | Cannibal
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) 2018
Universal Surprise Halloween/ Halloween Horror Nights 2018 Event Guide | 2018 HHN Japan Review
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Japan (2017)
Halloween Horror Nights 7 (2017)
HHN7 EVENT GUIDE: Haunted Houses, Scare Zones and Ticket Prices
Behind The Scenes: HEX haunted house | HHN7 SNEAK PREVIEW
Halloween Horror Nights 7 REVIEW MEGAPOST Halloween Horror Nights 7 SURVIVAL GUIDE with Tips & Tricks
HHN7 RIP Tour REVIEW
Features on Haunted Houses, Scare Zones and Experiences
HHN7 Behind The Screams (BTS) Tour | Zombie Laser Tag (ZLT) Experience
HHN7 MasterCard Priceless Experience (Overnight Survival Camp)
Inside The Mind | DEATH Mall | Make The Cut | TERROR-Cotta Empress | HEX
Happy Horror Days | Pilgrimage of Sin
Slit Face Girls - Slice of Life Tour | 2017 Opening Scaremony
Pre-Event Feature Stories
Before Dark ZERO: Scare actor auditions
Before Dark 1 | Before Dark 2 | Before Dark 3 | Before Dark 4 | Before Dark 5
Halloween Horror Nights 6 (2016)
Before Dark 1 | Before Dark 2 | Before Dark 3 | Before Dark 4
Sneak Preview to Halloween Horror Nights 6
Halloween Horror Nights 6 REVIEW Megapost
HHN6 SURVIVAL GUIDE 2016
HHN6 RIP Tour Review | HHN6 Behind The Screams (BTS) Tour
Features on Haunted Houses and Scare Zones
HHN6 Opening Scaremony Show
Hawker Centre Massacre | Salem Witch House
Bodies of Work | Old Changi Hospital | Hu Li's Inn
Jack's Recurring Nightmare Circus
Suicide Forest | March of the Dead | Death March (Night Parade)
Five Nights... at HHN6 (Final Cut)
Halloween Horror Nights 5 (2015)
Before Dark 1 | Before Dark 2 | Before Dark 3 | Before Dark 4 | Before Dark 5
Halloween Horror Nights 5 Sneak Preview
Halloween Horror Nights 5 REVIEW
Tips & Tricks: Halloween Horror Night 5 Survival Guide
HHN5 RIP Tour and BTS Tour Experience and Review
Features on Haunted Houses and Scare Zones
The Blood Moon (HHN5 Opening Scaremony) and HHN5 Icons
Tunnel People (Dark House) | True Singapore Ghost Stories: The MRT
Hell House (Paper House) | Siloso Gateway Block 50 (Haunted HDB)
ConTERMINATED | Hungry Ghosts | The Invaders
Bonus Feature: Halloween Horror Nights 5 Final Cut
#1 - It's Not Over | #2 - Memento Mori | #3 - Last Fight
Halloween Horror Nights 4
Before Dark 1 | Before Dark 2 | Before Dark 3 | MATI CAMP Before Dark | Before Dark 4
The First Look (HHN4 Sneak Preview)
Halloween Horror Nights 4 Review | 2014 Survival Guide: HHN4 Tips and Tricks
Features on Haunted Houses and Scare Zones
The Minster of Evil (HHN4 Opening Scaremony) | Jack's Nightmare Circus
Bogeyman | DEMONCRACY | Canyon of the Cursed | Scary Tales
Jack's 3-Dementia | Jing's Revenge | MATI CAMP | The L.A.B
Halloween Horror Nights 3
Halloween Horror Nights 3 (HHN3) Review
Survival Guide: Halloween Horror Nights 3 Tips and Tricks
Features on Haunted Houses and Scare Zones
Sisters of Evil | Forbidden Forest | Attack of the Vampires | Convention of Curses
Possessions | Songs of Death | Adrift
Halloween Horror Nights 2
HHN2 Trip Report, Review and Tips
Special Features
House of Dolls | Total Lockdown | Bizarre Bazaar | Final Night
Halloween Horror Nights
I think I might know why the chain of fengsui coins around him. It might be inspired by one of the Chinese movie
Oh, what is that movie?
I finally found it. It’s called “Rigor Mortis”
Or it would be that for every exorcist he kills, he takes a coin from them and the ones hanging are all his trophy and he’s just showing off.