Forget Slender Man and Jeff the Killer. How about some classic Asian scares to spice up Universal Studios Singapore's Halloween Horror Nights (HHN9)? The ninth edition of the scare-fest takes place from Sep 27 to Oct 31, and we've got tickets to give away (contest form below). But first, here's a glimpse at what you can expect at HHN9.

Think pontianaks, pocongs and every Asian horror fan’s favourite: Thai ghosts. Featuring five haunted houses, two scare zones and two live shows, this year's edition of Universal Studios Singapore's annual scare-fest is upping its game with their first-ever regional collab in nine years, with the Thai directors of Shutter and 4bia, bringing you the Curse of the Naga haunted house.

8days.sg got a sneak peek at Curse of the Naga, plus, a haunted house that's inspired by every Singaporean teen's rite of passage, The Chalet Hauntings. Trust us when we say that the houses sent chills down our spine, even with the lights on.

Legend has it that once you enter, there’s no turning back. The Curse of the Naga tells the story of an unwelcome foreigner (yes, you) who unknowingly offends Naga, a Thai serpentine spirit, and you now have to dig yourself out of the hell hole before she captures you and drains you of all your blood.

The haunted house starts visitors off wandering among the dilapidated sois (streets) of a Bangkok market (try not to stop and bargain), and eventually leads them to a live-sized shrine of Naga.

Along the way, you will find yourselves slowly coming under the curse of the Naga as you walk through a dizzying, (seemingly) rotating tunnel before you end up in a dense forest filled with a plethora of offerings and miniature spirit houses (just like the ones you see on the streets of Bangkok).

You do the math.

Inside the house, you'll have to dodge and flee from vengeful Thai spirits, including the iconic Naga. Covered from head to toe in creepy snake scales with crazy-long brass fingernail extensions, Naga is indeed that horror movie character you wish would just remain onscreen.

Blood-thirsty spirits ambush you from almost every corner of the labyrinth. There is no such thing as a secret trick to avoid them because they're everywhere in this frightful maze of scares.

And here’s why the Curse of Naga is even more terrifying: This haunted house was created in collaboration with the true masters of Thai horror movies, Parkpoom Wongpoom and Gunn Purijitpanya, the directors of Shutter and 4bia. It also is the first haunted house that the HHN9 team began working on, all the way back in December.

Ah, who hasn’t been to a class gathering at a chalet at East Coast Park, Pasir Ris or Changi? Relive one of the hallmarks of every Singaporean teenager's growing years as you walk through this chalet that's not like the others. Five kids are missing from a chalet in Block E (for Evil), but who (or what) took them?

The Chalet Hauntings boasts the largest collection of Southeast Asian ghosts in a single house, featuring non-stop hits of every spirit you’ve grown up hearing stories about: the toyol, pocong and the bloodthirsty langsuir (female vampire) and more.

The journey in kicks off just outside a cordoned-off chalet unit with sneakers and beach sandals strewn all over the entrance. Heck, the HHN organisers pay so much attention to details that even the smell wafting through the haunted house brings back memories.

Build up your anticipation (and paranoia) in the chlaet’s living room, where first thing you observe is an ouija board and a TV playing static (wait, is the ghost from The Ring guest-starring?). There may be no jumpscares here, but the creepy atmosphere will make you wish you were in your own home hiding under your blankie.

If you’re also afraid of lizards and cockroaches, you’re in (bad) luck, ‘cos there’s no lack of them in this chalet. Expect scares from seemingly blocked off areas (we’re not gonna tell you where) and our all-time favourite area: the toilets.

8 DAYS GIVEAWAY!
We have three pairs of tickets to Halloween Horror Nights 2019 (worth $140 per pair) to give away. To stand a chance to win, simply answer the question below, and you could be on your way to heaps of scares at Halloween Horror Nights 2019. Tickets are open-dated. Contest ends Sep 20, 5pm.

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Halloween Horror Nights 9 is on at Universal Studios Singapore from Sep 27 to Oct 31. For tickets and more info, go to www.halloweenhorrornights.com.sg.

Photos: Alvin Teo