Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

Circle of Screams hasn’t fared well the past couple of years, but a few changes and an addition have made the attraction worth its $25 price of admission.

After parking at one of Circle Drive-In’s two screens (both showing two different films that can be viewed in their entirety), guests make their way to the snack stand to hop onto the “Hayride of Torture.” The ride takes you behind the theater’s main screen into the woods, stopping numerous times for actors to play out scenes inspired by horror films. Some, like the opening sequence based on “The Ring,” use effects and strobe lights, while others like the hillbillies reminiscent of “Wrong Turn” use old fashioned intensity to make you uncomfortable.

The hayride portion of Circle of Screams is a horror film fan’s dream, with live scenes playing out that reference everything from “Children of the Corn” to “The Wolf Man.” The “Queen of the Damned” and “Nightmare on Elm Street” sections were particularly inspired, with great acting during elongated stops. Most of the ride’s stops were long ones though, and some actors struggled in the more improvisational scenes, repeating lines and turning a scary situation into an awkward one. Hopefully the actors can find ways to fully occupy their time with guests.

After disembarking the hayride, groups are directed to Carnival of Fear 3D, a brightly-painted blacklit building housing a small contingent of clowns waiting for someone to “come in and play.” Their unrelenting intensity is a sharp turn away from the hayride’s slow burn scares, and what the experience lacks in length it more than makes up for in memorable moments and mesmerizing visuals. The ending is a high point — pick the right door or be prepared to field insults from vindictive clown girls.

Circle of Screams’ final attraction, the “Asylum Vortex,” relies heavily on its leading lady psychologist. She becomes slightly unhinged after welcoming guests in for a workplace tour and unhinges the locks on inmate doors soon thereafter. The good doctor, not so subtly inspired by the “Suicide Squad” interpretation of Harley Quinn, is joined by her Clown Prince of Crime and “Suicide Squad” antagonist Enchantress. The three push patrons through a maze and out a twisting tunnel for their final Circle of Screams experience.

The third attraction adds value to the Circle of Screams experience, but the asylum can only take one group of five at a time, so the wait could take awhile during busy nights. After going through “Hayride of Torture,” “Carnival of Fear 3D” and “Asylum Vortex,” guests can pop balloons, break bottles and shoot severed heads into hoops for free (or pay for the chance to win prizes) before returning to their vehicle to catch a movie.

Circle of Screams is a multifaceted thrill experience that combines film homages and slow burn spookiness with intense, short term walk-through attractions. A few hangups stop Circle of Screams from being a fully-immersive night of terror, but with three attractions and two screens of films included in its price of admission, the drive-thru’s 2016 offering is a ride worth taking.

Rating: 3.5 Coffins out of 5

In one of the better acting scenes along the Circle of Screams hayride, you’ll meet Drakul, whose fate is decided by Akasha, queen of the vampires.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_Drakul-Akasha-COS.jpg.optimal.jpgIn one of the better acting scenes along the Circle of Screams hayride, you’ll meet Drakul, whose fate is decided by Akasha, queen of the vampires. Photos courtesy of Circle of Screams

During the hayride at Circle of Screams, you’ll visit various scenes from horror movies. Here, the Wolf Man waits for his next victim.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_Werewolf-COS.jpg.optimal.jpgDuring the hayride at Circle of Screams, you’ll visit various scenes from horror movies. Here, the Wolf Man waits for his next victim. Photos courtesy of Circle of Screams

Circle of Screams features a clown-themed “Carnival of Fear,” which is presented in 3-D. The clowns here steal the show, so make sure you don’t miss them.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_COSClowns.jpg.optimal.jpgCircle of Screams features a clown-themed “Carnival of Fear,” which is presented in 3-D. The clowns here steal the show, so make sure you don’t miss them. Photos courtesy of Circle of Screams

During the hayride at Circle of Screams, you’ll visit various scenes from horror movies. Here, the Wolf Man waits for his next victim.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_CMYKWerewolf-COS.jpg.optimal.jpgDuring the hayride at Circle of Screams, you’ll visit various scenes from horror movies. Here, the Wolf Man waits for his next victim. Photos courtesy of Circle of Screams

Circle of Screams

Address: 1911 Scranton Carbondale Highway, Dickson City, Pennsylvania

Details: circleofscreams.com or 570-489-5731

Attractions: Hayride of Torture, Carnival of Fear, Asylum Vortex

Review date: Sept. 30, 2016 (opening day)

Reviewers: Gene Axton, Travis Kellar, Sarah Haase, Amanda Hrycyna