EDITOR’S NOTE: Since publication of this article, allegations of abuse have come to light against one of the creators of Ultra Dark Society. We at HorrorBuzz believe that horror and immersive experiences should be a safe space for everyone, and can no longer support or recommend their shows in good faith. We will leave the article as originally published below.
A simple glass door with a hand-scrawled sign reading “People Juice Auditions” stood before me. The haphazard paper seemed almost uncertain in its placement, as if alluding to my potential fate. As I pushed open the door that would mark the start of Ultra Dark Society’s PEOPLE JUICE, I braced myself for whatever unknown tortures waited for me behind it.
PEOPLE JUICE was the newest extreme horror experience to hit Ultra Dark Society’s growing list of one-off shows. Ultra Dark Society is an underground, extreme horror group that puts on “members only” shows that tend to explore various dark themes. Previous shows include God of the Woods, Rotten (check out our review here), and Between the Devil and Me. They also offer the opportunity to request a private show for those wanting to explore more on a personal level and plan to hold speakeasies for both members and non-members in the future. PEOPLE JUICE was co-directed by Tristan Wells and Austin Minard and was their shortest experience so far at 30 minutes. Wells and Minard proved to be a powerhouse duo who managed to create a compelling story that stirred up various emotions and touched upon some of the pitfalls of the entertainment industry.
The premise of PEOPLE JUICE was that we were auditioning for a company called People Juice, Inc. Upon entering the nondescript building for my audition, I was greeted with a moment that seemed straight out of cinema. Lighting was effectively used to create a silhouette against the material that shielded my view from what waited for me on the other side. This moment, along with a few others, successfully created an air of suspense that left my anxiety begging for mercy. PEOPLE JUICE did an incredible job of balancing fear and moments of calm. Any fear I felt never consumed me, but rather flirted with the idea of instances that could cause more pain. I really enjoyed how this detail did a number on me psychologically.
PEOPLE JUICE featured an incredible cast of powerful actors. This show featured more intense moments with physical aggression, and the cast ensured that they were executed safely. I enjoyed all of my interactions with this group and enjoyed the strong moments of improv.
Overall, PEOPLE JUICE proved to be the ultimate love letter to the cruelties of the film and entertainment industries. The cast interactions and contrasting moments of fear and calm were my favorite parts, and I absolutely loved this entire experience. PEOPLE JUICE left me wanting more, however the lingering feeling of longing was a great feeling to sit with after the show.
For more information and to apply to become a member, visit Ultra Dark Society’s website.
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