In the past, we at Nerdist have urged anyone who is a self-proclaimed weirdo and proud to visit Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights. These incredible seasonal events create the perfect place for the witches, ghouls, and fabulously fae among us to feel right at home. But happily, Universal Orlando has learned all the right lessons from the success of Halloween Horror Nights. And now, a haven for horror-lovers, gothic-romance stans, and those who simply love to be strange exists year-round. Yes, I’m talking about Universal Epic Universe’s Dark Universe, the theme park land that self-proclaims that it’s for “delightful freaks.” (At least if you ask Ygor!)
In the introduction to Universal Epic Universe’s Dark Universe during its opening days, Doctor Victoria Frankenstein, the lead character of the world, noted that in the past, the world had called her great-great-grandfather a monster; they were afraid of what he had done. But through Dark Universe, everyone will see that “there’s nothing to fear.” No one should be afraid of the monsters of the land, because they’re amazing, and most importantly, friends. And could there be a more welcoming refrain for anyone out there who isn’t sure where exactly they fit in? We’ve talked before about the appeal of horror to marginalized groups. Existing beyond conventional lines has a tremendous beauty and is a vision that calls to many, and it’s a rare and beautiful gift to find the distillation of that idea made in a theme park.
Because ultimately, Universal Epic Universe’s Dark Universe has one loud refrain: it’s good to be weird! The heroes of the land are the monsters; that’s the entire draw. Whereas in other worlds, these famous creatures and monsters might be termed “villains,” at Universal Epic Universe, this is their land, and you’ve come to cheer them on. (Just ask the cadre of folks who love “Hot Dracula.”) In fact, Universal Epic Universe’s Dark Universe brings to life a whole new story starring the Universal Monsters like never before.
Universal Creative’s Chris Frisella shares, “We love all these classic Universal Monster stories, but they all kind of stand on their own. So it was our goal to create a space where they all can live together, that’s the world of the Dark Universe and the Village of Darkmoor. So that’s the vehicle that allows for all those stories to be told at once, to bring those characters together and to leave room for new stories, new editions, new things to explore.”
While other IP-inspired theme-park lands have stricter stories to draw and work from, the freedom of Dark Universe to BE the primary hub of its own unique tale really offers a unique chance for fans to unearth the lore and narrative of the world in situ. In some ways, it’s like the most extravagant fanfiction of Universal Monsters come to life. (And if there’s one thing you can bet about monster-loving weirdos, it’s that they love a good fandom.)
For example, Frisella reveals a bit more about one of the most striking fixtures of Universal Epic Universe’s Dark Universe, its misty, burbling well, set right in the center of the land as you enter into it. This well certainly calls to mind the dense mist of Halloween Horror Nights (a nice touch), but it turns out it is an essential story piece, which fans can unearth if they are especially discerning.
Frisella shares, “In the middle of the village is the well. The well is an important part of the story of the Truce of Darkmoor, the truce between the vampires and the citizens of Darkmoor. There have been many battles between the villagers and the forces of darkness. Some artwork inside of Das Stakehaus shows one particular battle. And the well was part of that truce—where the vampires are going to leave the village of Darkmoor alone as long as they continue to ensure they get a little blood once in a while.” On the well are engraved the Latin words, “Never forget you exist by our will alone.” And that, as they say, is epic. (Especially if you’re a Vampire lover.)
Steve Tatham, Executive Creative Director of Universal Epic Universe, adds that all the characters that exist in Dark Universe are “part and parcel of the narrative. That’s the fullness. We’ve worked very hard to ensure that the storytelling is consistent. So that if guests have an experience with one character, it’s not contradicted by anyone else.” That means that if you speak to the Invisible Man, Ygor, the Bride, Frankenstein’s Monster, the vampires’ familiars, the monster hunters, or the Storyteller in the universe, everyone will help you build a greater narrative.
And boy, is this immersion fun and weird in the best way. Every actor will bring their own flavor to a role, but by and large, the Bride is sad and soulful, and quite a bit odd. Frankenstein’s Monster is like a giant teddy bear, just wanting to make a connection. Ygor is an excitable fellow, full of hilarious quips and iconic improvisations. He will insult you, but will also invite you to… give him a hand. (Yes, your right one, please.) Meanwhile, the Invisible Man will just be totally rude to you, but you’ll swoon. If you’re lucky, he might invite you to a ball.
When I asked Ygor his thoughts on the Invisible Man, he told me, “Jack?! He’s a nice guy when you get to know him. He’s a little constipated, though, because he’s a little angry! And that’s what constipation is.” Meanwhile, the Invisible Man said, “I’m the only one of significance here, you know that.” And then commenting on Ygor’s opinion of him, “Ygor’s a fool! He’s a pet!” And that, my friends, is how you build a narrative.
Between its bedrock vision, a world for the monsters, its layers of lore to uncover, and the daily manifested adventures of its wacky inhabitants, Universal Epic Universe’s Dark Universe has truly created an immersive love letter of a theme park dedicated to anyone who is looking to get lost in a strange and beautiful land. The ever-changing nature of Darkmoor and its millions of little secret story details will draw these kinds of fans back again and again.
I know that when I left Darkmoor, its siren song still played in my ear, pulling me back, making me wonder… What was Ygor going to get up to while I was away? Would the Bride find any peace? And how would the monster hunters fare against the Chickendillos? (Armadillo chickens, which one hunter told me were plauging the land.) Most of all, what would become of Dracula? I longed to go back and uncover more pieces of the lore, to hear one more song from the Storyteller, all so I could better understand Universal Epic Universe’s Dark Universe and its naunaced story.
Of course, I would be remiss not to mention that Universal Epic Universe’s Dark Universe also has two of the most incredible rides in the park, and they are thrilling, cinematic, and technologically incredible. Riding them once, twice, or ten times is simply not enough. Hidden among their screaming joy are MORE details than you could possibly ever fully perceive, even if you had a whole day in the space.
But that’s what next time is for… Because even though we can’t live in Darkmoor every day, its whispers stay with us, reminding us that being weird is a joyous activity, and that should we travel back to Universal Epic Universe, Dark Universe will be waiting in the shadows, ready to embrace those who wish to be seen.
The post Universal Epic Universe’s Dark Universe Is a Haven for the Fabulously Weird appeared first on Nerdist.
Source: Kiat Media
0 Comments