Odds are, you’ve heard of McKamey Manor, dubbed the most extreme haunt in America. But do you know the truth of it? The new documentary Monster Inside: America’s Most Extreme Haunted House takes a look inside the brutal, infamous experience and its creator, Russ McKamey.
Merging documentary storytelling with a horror film’s visual and cinematic language, the documentary follows three participants as they dive deep into Russ’s world and then find the will to fight back.
Surrounded by controversy, McKamey Manor has been the ultimate terrifying attraction for years. But you can’t just get in. It all begins with a waiting list that normally features over 20,000 names. Next, you must have a doctor’s note and sign a 40-page liability waiver. The reason? It’s reported that those who enter may face both psychological and physical terror, with reports of participants being beaten, their teeth broken or pulled, cuts, bruises, and worse, as well as torture such as waterboarding and near-drowning over their eight to ten-hour experience.
I sat down with the documentary’s director, Andrew Renzi, to discuss the film, the real-life horrors that participants have experienced, and the haunt’s twisted creator, who I can’t help but think is a psychopathic sadist. We also discuss what drives people to seek out extreme experiences and how they can go wrong.
Renzi is not new to the world of film, delivering films such as The Benefactor starring Richard Gere, multiple mini-series, videos, and more. You can find a list here.
Be sure to check out Monster Inside: America’s Most Extreme Haunted House. It’s a fascinating look at the truth behind McKamey Manor, the scars it has left behind, and the need for a safe place for those searching for extreme experiences. Watch Monster Inside now on Hulu.
