What is Delusion? It can be described as horror interactive theater. The event is like going through a play, where the visitors are the participants surrounded all around by the story unfolding. The event has been going strong in Los Angeles for 11 years now. It’s the brainchild of Jon Braver and produced by Thirteenth Floor Entertainment. Previous stories have taken place around Los Angeles, but now it heads to the historic Stimson House in the heart of Los Angeles. The house is certainly spooky looking with an old-school aesthetic and vibes. As soon as you step foot on the property, you’re transported to the world of Delusion: The Red Castle.

As for the story this year, here’s the synopsis from Delusion.

Our story takes place in the mid 20th Century, centering around the brilliant psychologist Dr. Frederick Lowell and you, his cohort of unusual patients. Otherworldly yet dormant abilities lay within your minds and only Dr. Lowell has been able to help unlock them. Yet his unorthodox methods got him banished from his community. Lowell and his family fled, along with his most prized patients, to find refuge within a strange and abandoned castle.

Soon after, tragedy struck. Lowell’s wife Attie fell from the castle and died. Plagued with torment, the doctor’s work began to take on new meaning. He believed that with your help and abilities, he may be able to bring his greatest love back to life.

Yet, resurrection hardly ends well.

Right from the get-go of the show, it’s as immersive as possible. You’re no longer you; you’re a character in the show, and the guests around you are as well. Without spoiling anything about the actual show or story, this is about as good as Delusion gets. I’ve been going since 2021, and in regards to immersion, nothing beats seeing the second house at the Pomona location, but the inside of the Stimson House and all the things you can do as a guest, are second to none. Whether it’s heading down to the basement, up and all around the grounds, or the tippy-top of the house, The Red Castle provides everything a horror fan would want.

The show is filled with more special effects and characters than seemingly ever before. It also offers vastly different pathways at points in the story so you get different perspectives based on if the actors choose you or another member of the group to come with them or do something. On my show, I had to ride a tricycle down hallways and answer kindergarten questions about images. Other members were whisked away after a game of hide and seek goes wrong.

There is quite a bit of going up and down stairs, so just beware and watch your step. There’s also plenty of areas, particularly in the basement, that are near pitch black dark. It plays tricks on your mind, especially when there could be a monster around any corner. The actors do a fantastic job of playing their characters, with some tremendous costumes.

It all collides in a stunning conclusion that features more fog than I can imagine, and a last-minute escape from the grounds.

Before or after the show, there’s food and drink available on site, and the options are pretty varied. There’s small bites or pizza and other entrees if you need something heartier. Inside a back house on the property, there’s a bar, and the VIP area with a tarot reader, and some of the sights of Delusions past. Once again, there is no better experience in the Halloween/Fall season for people who want the most immersive experience than Delusion. Delusion: The Red Castle provides a great new story for guests to live through and the additions to the effects, story, and the overall atmosphere of the Stimson House all make for one of their best events ever.

Delusion runs through November 3rd. Get your tickets here.

For more on Halloween, make sure to check out Fright-A-Thon.

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