Elliot Arnold is a 10th grader in the Cleveland Humanities Magnet in Reseda, but in his free time he creates one of San Fernando Valley’s most fun and unusual Halloween events, “The Last of Us Haunted House,” set inside his parents’ home in Tarzana.
“I created this event to get the community outside in an age of technology,” Arnold said. “In a time when everyone is addicted to cell phones, it’s important to experience the notions of physical reality. My haunted house has the sole purpose of trying to bring the community together for a free and festive event.”
As of this week, 835 people had entered his haunted house, from families with children to teenagers in groups. Arnold says the most popular “scare” is when the visitors turn the first corner in his parent’s house. “The first room of the haunted house is quiet, with many pieces of scenery,” he said. “Then as guests approach the first big area, they encounter a ‘flesh-eating Clicker monster’ from the Last of Us” — an HBO post-apocalyptic drama series.
With help from his little sister Evelyn, he launched his event in 2023 and called it “Purge Reawakening Haunted House.” He saved up the money made from the 2023 haunted house — about $1,200 — and worked as a camp counselor, to finance this year’s event. “I hire about five of my friends each night, to work as ‘scare-actors’,” Arnold said. “They are all paid and given a meal each day.”
Despite its location on a quiet Tarzana residential street, Arnold says, “Everyone has been extremely supportive, and many people who live on my street, or close to us, have come to support our event.”
The scary walkthrough is free, but visitors are asked for donations of about $5. The haunted house is open Friday, October 31st, from 6:00 – 10:30pm. More information is at arnoldhalloweenexperience.com