By Dermot Connolly
The Midnight Terror haunted house in Oak Lawn is back—bigger and scarier than ever, according to its creator.
Oak Lawn resident Justin Cerniuk has been operating Midnight Terror since 2014, primarily where it is located now, in a 26,000 square-foot warehouse at 5520 W. 111th St.
“I have really been doing this for 24 years,” said Cerniuk, 34, who got his start scaring people with attractions set up in his driveway as a 10-year-old.
The Reavis High School alumnus went on to serve four years in the Marine Corps., including two tours of combat duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. When he came back to Oak Lawn, he turned his love of haunted houses into a career with a team of friends, who have grown Midnight Terror into one of the most popular haunts in the Chicago area, with thousands of people coming through during the Halloween season.
“This year, we have more than 100 costumed actors, more than ever before,” said Cerniuk. They range from teenagers just starting out, to a performer in his 50s who has been “haunting houses” for 30 years. Altogether, more than 130 people are involved in making the magic happen, including makeup artists, ticket takers and others.
The attraction is actually two maze-like haunted houses under one roof, including the village of Black Oak Grove, and the Factory of Malum.
“We named it Black Oak Grove because that was what Oak Lawn was originally called,” noted Cerniuk. He and his team continually add to Midnight Terror’s mythology. This year, main characters Willow and the evil overlord Malum encounter the Founders, an underground subculture that covertly controls the forces of evil.
“We are working on this for most of the year. Even while it is open, we tweak things when we see what works best. In March, we go to the trade show to see what new things are out there. But rather than just buying the same things as everyone else there, we make our own customized props so everything here is unique,” said Cerniuk.
“Every new admission through Midnight Terror will be distinctive from your last visit because our actors are mixing things up this year—often rotating roles, stalking different areas, and using fresh voices, sounds, and movements. They’re working more collaboratively in teams, too.” Cerniuk said, explaining why visitors return often.
The attraction offers visitors covered outdoor and indoor waiting areas, as well as DJ music, stilt walkers, and photo opportunities before and after the haunt.
“We also have a gift shop now,” said Cerniuk.
Cerniuk said the haunt gets upwards of 500 visitors on a typical night, with more than 1,000 on weekends. Some free parking is onsite, and free shuttles buses transport people to and from parking at the Oak Lawn Metra train station at 9525 S. Tulley Ave.
Admission prices start at $30 online, and $35 at the onsite ticket booth. Fast Pass admission, allowing entry three times faster than the general admission line, is $50 per person, and immediate access tickets are available for $65.
Midnight Terror is wheelchair accessible and open, rain or shine, from: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Oct. 20 and 21, and Oct. 27, and 28, and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays Oct. 22 and 29, and select weekdays, including Oct. 31.
After Halloween, the site will become a nightmare circus called Clown Takeover, from 7 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 3 and 4, with $30 admission.
Later in the holiday season, Christmas Fear will open from 7 to 10 p.m. on Dec. 15, 16, and 17, also with $30 admission. This attraction will feature Yuletide terror, complete with killer snowmen, savage Santas, and eerie elves.
More information may be obtained online at midnightterrorhauntedhouse.com or by emailing info@midnightterror.com.