Get the scary facts on one of the top haunted houses in Illinois

With blood oozing from glass shards in her face, Kathy Barrios is transformed from a middle-aged mother from Round Lake Beach to a psychotic, mental patient by makeup artist Tiffany Beaudry of Fox Lake.

Realm of Terror Haunted House in Round Lake Beach uses 50 horrifying characters to terrorize guests daily at the insane asylum-themed attraction, now in its ninth year.

Realm of Terror has been rated one of the top two haunted houses in Illinois for the last two years by both www.HauntedIllinois.com and www.HauntedHouseChicago.com.

“This is the biggest, best year yet,” said Stephen Kristof, operations manager at the haunted house. “We are entirely over the top. Our actors will get in your face getting as close as they possibly can. They are crazy and nasty and vulgar. The rooms are scary and gory. We wanted to build the most extreme haunted house that anyone has ever been in.”

“I like the fear in people's eyes. There is no bigger thrill than to see sheer terror in someone's face. This is fun!” laughs crazed mental patient Justin Legereit of Round Lake.

The Realm of Terror Haunted House is intended for ages 16 and over because of its intensity.

For more information, go to